Spruce Burl Trail

Olympic National Park, Washington

This short trail leads the hiker through a spruce forest to the beach, and as you get closer to the ocean you will notice that the Sitka spruce have developed large nodules in their trunks, called burls. The cause of these knobby growths is unknown, but it is thought that they might be from something carried in the ocean spray, or perhaps a virus. When you emerge from the forest you will be at Beach 1, here you will be treated to beautiful beach hiking with spectacular views of sea stacks and tide pools. The tide pools along the Olympic coast teem with life, so be sure to investigate them closely in order see all of the abundant marine animals. One of the first things you will notice about the life in the tide pools and all along the Pacific Coast is the range of colors represented—purple, orange, and red sea stars, or starfish, green sea anemones, purple sea urchins, and white barnacles lend the landscape a splash of color. The NBH crew loves to spend hours at the tide pools, and we hope you enjoy them too.