Fall Forage: Mushrooms of the Columbia Gorge
Stepping slowly through the forest understory – decomposing Doug Fir needles underfoot, the scarlet foliage of vine maple lighting up the dim surroundings – eyes trained on the ground, searching for the orange glow of a chanterelle cap peeking from the duff. More info...
Fall mushroom foraging in the Pacific Northwest can be meditative, exhilarating or confounding depending on the motivations of the forager, and the multitude of variables presented by climate, season, elevation and ecology. For us at WildCraft, mushroom hunting is a pastime that borders on obsession – one we love to share!
This workshop, led by wild foods enthusiast Erin Amos, is designed for those who love exploring in nature, but are new to mushroom foraging. Students will be instructed in core aspects of mushroom ID, safe and sustainable harvest, and how to prepare and cook their wild harvest. Erin will offer insight into how to plan a mushroom forage, sharing tenets of "leave no trace," and essential safety and preparation, to ways of reading the forest for clues about what type of mushrooms students might encounter.
Though we can never guarantee a basket full of chanterelles, lobsters, hedgehogs or matsutake, we can promise this workshop will give you a new appreciation for the complexity of the forest ecosystem, and the essential knowledge to head out on your next forage! Open to beginners - no experience necessary.
This forage will take place near the town of Trout Lake, WA. The exact meeting location will not be determined until 5 days prior to your forage. Students will be notified of the meeting location by the Monday prior to the workshop date. Unfortunately, WildCraft cannot facilitate transportation or carpooling to and from classes.
This workshop is open to anyone 18 years old & over, who is prepared to hike all day (rain or shine) on uneven terrain, off-trail. This is not a suitable workshop for those with health conditions that may be triggered or exacerbated by hiking, carrying a backpack, or being outside for 5+ hours in variable weather conditions. All participants must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria for Off-Site or Nature courses. Please leave dogs at home. Listed class locations are approximate and are subject to change at WildCraft’s sole discretion depending on weather conditions and other seasonal factors. A packing list and exact location will be provided 5 days prior to the workshop date.
All participants must accept the inherent risks of participating in an outdoor adventure and agree to sign a liability waiver. This waiver describes in more detail the risks you assume by participating in an Off-Site or Nature course. PLEASE carefully review it!
Please review our updated Cancellation Policy.
For information on Inherent Risk & Safety please click here.