Description

Primeval Forest

A one of a kind photo from one of the most unique and primeval looking old growth forests in North America.

When luck meets preparation, you’re given the chance to capture a once-in-a lifetime photo. In early December 2019 during my visit to the “Hall of Mosses,” I was given that opportunity. I was at the right place at the right time.

Located in Washington's Olympic National Park, myself and a fellow photographer arrived at the remote Hoh Rain Forest, greeted by pouring rain, dark skies, and frigid temperatures. As we started hiking through the freezing rain, we were uncertain if we’d be able to shoot given the conditions. We arrived at the Hall of Mosses shortly before sunset and were elated to see the rough weather had kept other visitors away, allowing us to have the fairytale-like landscape all to ourselves.

I have visited this spot before during the summer months but I have never seen it look anything like it did that day. Most of the leaves in the surrounding trees had fallen, leaving only evergreens and a view dominated primarily by huge curtains of moss -- some 12 feet long -- swollen with water and vividly colored with new growth. Eerily quiet due to its remoteness, the Hall of Mosses is considered one of the most silent places in the world, virtually void of any vehicle, train, boat or air traffic noise. In addition to its far-flung location, the air is constantly heavy with moisture, helping muffle any sound from traveling far. You hear very little except for sounds in the immediate area, adding to it’s deeply eerie beauty. It’s also a temperate rainforest receiving, on average, over 12 feet of rain per year. The moss (which the place is famous for) requires not only a significant amount of rain and moisture but it also needs cold temperatures to start its growing season. While the moss tends to be dullish brown yellow in the warmer months, new growth during the cooler months is richly saturated with greenish yellows and hues of orange. These factors all lent themselves to create an unforgettable scene but given the challenges with the heavy rain, capturing it was proving difficult.

After exploring the area for about 45 minutes, and just before the sun was set to dip below the horizon, we were about to give up and head back when we noticed the rain subsiding. The rain clouds also started to dissipate, allowing more light to shine through. A few minutes later the rain completely stopped and a thin band of low, slow moving fog rolled in kissing the tops of the trees and illuminating the scene with a beautiful soft glow. Knowing we had very little light left, we started shooting and this photo is the result of that effort combined with those chance environmental factors at the right time of year.