Hoh Rainforest – Sol Duc Area |Washington

 

While out on the Olympic Peninsula, Josh and I had the chance to meet up with an old high school friend. Shane Welch is an awesome wedding photographer who was in my (Shelley’s) grade at West Chicago High School. We hadn’t seen each other since about ten years ago, but Facebook and Instagram kept all of us in touch. We saw Shane had just moved out to Seattle with his wife and figured we might as well get together. Thankfully, he was cool to meet up on a weekday in the Hoh Rainforest and explore some new territory with us.

 

 

Shane had scouted out a cool trail in the Sol Duc region of the rainforest called Lovers Lane Loop. The trail follows the Sol Duc River and passes by some epic waterfalls. Sounds like a photographer’s dream! Well, what you should know about hiking with photographers is that we really don’t get very far. We barely made it past the park entrance before we had to stop the car and hike along the side of the road taking pictures. Everything out in the Hoh Rainforest is just too beautiful! Moss, waterfalls and towering trees all around. When we did make our way to the trail head, we couldn’t find any signs to on which way to go. So we hiked along the river by the lodge for a bit to a stinky sulfurous hot spring fountain and decided to just go back and hop on the main trail.

 

 

The main trail did quickly lead to Lovers Lane Loop, which was absolutely gorgeous. We passed a couple of waterfalls along the way – one babbling cascade, and one giant raging fall (Sol Duc Falls). Shane got right in there for some epic shots while Josh and I took it all in. It was raining again that day and Josh’s Coleman rain suit finally gave out. While scrambling around, he ripped a hole in his pants, but he still had the jacket. No big deal though, we just kept hiking. We have backups at home. :)

 

 

After hiking along for a while and photographing together, the sun started to set. So we all hopped in the car and headed out for a bite to eat at an awesome vegetarian restaurant Shane recommended called Nourish. We drank hot tea, ate a lot of yummy food, and had a great time hanging out. We’re very thankful to have had the chance to catch up with an old friend. Thanks for being our tour guide Shane! We definitely have to meet Julia and the pup next time we’re in town. :)

 

Thank you for reading! ~Shelley and Josh Hartman, Washington + Destination Wedding Photographers