Kalaloch WA

Kalaloch, WA

After lunch, there was a walk of about a mile through the coastal forest. This forest had a slightly different character – there was more of an understory, more broadleaf plants and due to the coastal fog, it was noticeably wetter. The proximity to the coast has the effect of higher winds knocking down the trees creating more light gaps, more moisture from the fog supporting the broadleaf shrubs. Steve pointed out there are fewer epiphytes as a result of the salt spray. Jonathan and I took numerous photos and would’ve been at the very end if Regan and Lynne hadn’t taken another lap around the loop of the trail. I think Lynne actually passed us three times.

Map: Coastal Loop trail

We walked up along US 101, through the campgrounds, to the coastal loop trail (I've drawn it in by hand - it doesn't show up on the map). The trail is about 1 mile long. We both went a little crazy with the number of photographs we took on this trail. It must have been the excitement of having such good light conditions - compared to the light/dark contrasts that I've been complaining about on the previous ( and subsequent pages).

Click on the images for a larger view

Kalaloch Creek looking west from US101.

The trailhead.

Growth upon growth.

The first of many shots of the trail.

A nurse stump with some broad-leafed plants that were more prominent in the understory of this forest.

Deer fern.

With green so common, red it tends to pop out at you. In this case, its new growth on a bush.

The underside of a fallen tree.

Ocassionly, I would spot a deer fern frond that was bleached of its chlorophyll.

More path.

Moss.

More path, with Jonathan examining his photographs.

Salal berries.

More path.

A hollowed out trunk.

Jonathan taking in the sights.

More trees with burls. This is probably one of my better images from this trip.

Yet more path.

A plank lined path.

Trees frequently take off from other trees.

More boardwalk.

Luxuriant oxalis (Oxalis oregana).

A fern carpeted forest floor.

Boardwalk continues.

Moss growing on the planks of the walkways.

Path through a thicket.

Compsition with moss, fern, and broad-leafed shrub.

Jonathan along the boardwalk.

More salal berries.

he remaining stump of a behemoth.

Walking down the path.

Forest view.

Path.

Jonathan on the path.

The tree in the center has a smaller tree, perhaps a hemlock, curling out of it.

Another remnant of a forest giant.

A mossy view.

More moss.

The final path shot.