Reflecting in the Valley of the Rainforest Giants

by Amy Smalley

For my soul walk I knew I needed to go somewhere further from my home so that I could really work on being mindful, and practice what I have been learning without feeling rushed into the daily rituals of my life. I took an overnight trip to enjoy the Quinault Rainforest, a place I had never been, but have always wanted to visit. I wanted to enjoy and experience all that this forest had in store for me, and use my senses to wonder, and connect with the forest.

I woke early to a downpour of rain, and figured just my luck, we have been in a drought and one of the last summer weekends it rains harder than we have seen in months and of course I didn’t bring my raincoat. I refused to let the massive downpour stop me from witnessing this beautiful rainforest.

Oh, my goodness, the smell of a rainforest during a rain is incredible, especially after months of very little rain (even here in the rainforest). I walked slow and breathed in deeply. I will be honest since taking this class I wanted all the benefits of the phytoncides that I could get! The banana slugs and beetles were out enjoying the wet drops fall to the forest floor. I imagined what the forest floor might look like in a few days with this drenching, and what fungi might we see then. I walked over a dry stream bed and just took in the plants, pebbles, and insects that I saw walking through the dry bed. Just think in a few weeks or days depending on the rain, that stream bed will be covered with water, and the life in there will pivot and alter, soon it will have salmon migrating upstream to lay their redds, and die off nourishing this forest, and all who live there.

I live in area with some decent sized trees and take folks into the forests to learn about our local forests and streams, but in the Quinault, I was in awe...words and pictures can’t even describe the size and beauty of these trees. The connection that I felt there made my soul so happy.

I hugged the largest Sitka Spruce in the world and thanked her for just being here. Being with her made me feel a deeper passion that I can do better as a steward of this land. I can’t even wrap my head around the size of this magnificent tree. As I walked around this amazing giant, and took in the feel of her bark, while observing the massive size of her roots, I was in awe and wonder. What has she seen over the decades, the history of the land, all those who have traveled past her, or took refuge under her. I wondered if it bothers her having people come touch her, snap photos with her, walk on her. Or does she enjoy the company, enjoy the faces and comments from her on lookers. Does she hope that she elicits a sense of awe so strong that people change their ways in how they live and understand their connection with this earth.

The world’s largest Sitka Spruce tree is in the Quinault rainforest with a circumference of 58 feet, 11 inches, diameter of 18 feet, 9 inches and 191 feet tall.

I walked along the many trails in the Quinault rainforest, and admired the mosses dripping from trees, tree roots hugging downed trees and stumps, and the size of trees here were just so impressive. The picture I took don’t even due justice the beauty of this place. I was so lucky to be walking these trails on a rainy day as there were not many people out. A couple hours into the walk the sun was finally breaking through the clouds and I made way down a trail along the Quinault Lake. I took in the sounds of the birds enjoying the sun break, the water splashing along the shore, and the best part was the sun drying out my damp coat and feeling the sun warm my face.

I am always in awe of the beauty and wonder of nature, being in the Quinault made me remember just how small I am, in a place that is so majestic with some of the largest, gorgeous trees. I could not get over the size of these trees; Sitka spruce and Hemlock were the ones that stuck out the most to me. Where I live, we have some amazing trees, but the trees in the rainforest were a sight to witness and an experience, I am glad I took time to do this soul walk.

Had I gone in and just done a hike without slowing down, and trying to wonder, explore and feel gratitude, I don’t think I would have felt the same. When I got home, I told my family that we have to make time for all of us to go, because it is truly magical, and you feel so fulfilled after.

Thank you for allowing me this time and this class to learn the importance of slowing down, and being mindful, but also having an assignment where I had to make the time to do it and reflect upon that experience.

Reflecting in the Valley of the Rainforest Giants is the Soul Walk Project created by Amy Smalley, FTS Certified Forest Therapy Guide, July 2023 cohort.