2026 Morel Maps Burn perimeters, soil temperature, and snow cover for morel hunting in Washington, Oregon, and the western US Morel season in the Pacific Northwest runs from March through July, depending on elevation and whether you’re hunting landscape morels or burn morels. The hard part isn’t finding morels once you’re in the right spot…
A guide to some of the most popular foraged mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest and suggestions on how to find them
The following is a selection of mushrooms found in our region in January. Some have very specific habitats and might only be found in a small part of the region. Cat’s Tongue Pseudohydnum gelatinosum Considered a species ‘complex’, which includes multiple closely related species that can be difficult to separate visually. Chanterelle Cantharellus Chanterelles can…
Seattle-area mushroomers may be preparing for an excellent late-summer mushroom season this year. Cooler temperatures and above-average rain will prompt fruitings of many species found in our region’s late summer months, including choice edible species like king boletes and chanterelles. There is more to love about mushrooms than just these popular choice edibles. There…
Cleaning dirt, sand, and bugs from mushrooms is a common challenge for foragers. Here are some tips for reducing the amount of these that make their way into your cooking Clean Mushrooms As You Pick One key characteristic of morels is their honeycomb pockets. Unfortunately, these are also a great place for dirt to collect…
The Purpose and Role of Wilderness Areas Wilderness areas, managed by the National Forest Service, are essential for protecting natural landscapes and ecosystems. Created under the Wilderness Act of 1964, these regions are designed to remain free from significant human interference, allowing nature to thrive. Why Wilderness Areas Matter 1. Preserving Natural Environments These areas…
Morels are one of the most commonly foraged mushrooms in the United States, and likely one of the most popular around the world. They are broadly distributed globally, are very recognizable, and are relatively safe for a beginner to identify. The popularity of morels also results in a lot of misconceptions about them as well….
This is an excellent page addressing picking fire mushrooms (burn morels) in BC. Fire Mushrooms – BC Much of this content is useful for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and beyond.
Identifying Cottonwood Trees How to find black cottonwood for early-season mushroom hunting in the PNW Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) is one of the most important trees for early-season mushroom hunting in Western Washington. While our region is dominated by conifers, cottonwoods grow along rivers, streams, and lake margins — and they’re among the first trees…
Before most edible spring mushrooms start flushing here in the Pacific Northwest we start to see stinging nettles. In fact, one of my most anticipated signs of spring are the nettles popping up in the green spaces around our home in NW Seattle. The deep emerald color of nettles are a herald of warmer times…
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