Being a "fun guy" and the first day of October, it was time for my annual "fungi" hike on Camano Ridge.
There were other hikers on the trail with bags of Chanterelles, so I knew the timing was right. It did not take long for me to find the much-sought-after mushroom.
Be sure to use a knife to cut the stem instead of pulling mushrooms from the ground so the fungus will be able to flower again.
It felt good to stretch my legs and breathe some fresh air.
I'm hoping for some sunny weather next week when the fall colors should be great to view.
Comments
Directions please?
Geezer - Direction to this wonderful place please?
Posted by:
Kim Brown on Oct 02, 2014 10:44 AM
Directions
The TH is a gated road on the left just before Carp Lake Road when you are headed south on Camano Ridge Road. There is a sign stating that you may hike up the road to access the trails. The best way to find your way around the trail system is to stop at the Visitor's Center at the "Y" on Hwy. 530 and pick up a brochure of Camano Island trails for only $1.
Happy Hiking,
Geezerhiker
Posted by:
geezerhiker on Oct 03, 2014 07:03 AM
Girl and Dog on Camano Ridge Forest Preserve
Hey Geezer, not sure you'll see this posted so long after the fact, but maybe for anyone else who comes across this: pulling mushrooms (rather than cutting) does not harm them and may in fact be the more sustainable means of harvesting. Here are a couple links referencing a 25 year-long study:
https://www.conservationevidence.com/individual-study/230
https://www.fungimag.com/spring-2012-articles/LR_Agaricidal.pdf
For those not inclined to follow the links, here's the gist: "Turns out that in the cut plots, yields have decreased (but only very slightly) over time. And, more surprising to the group, in plots harvested by simply pulling out the mushrooms, yields have actually gone up during the 25 years of this study." The theory is that cutting mushrooms leaves the stump to decay and potentially introduce disease into the mycelium. Picking them however doesn't harm the vast mycelium which can span acres, and in either case, mature mushrooms seem to have already cast their spores out into the area which along with the health of the mycelium are the factors that apparently determine future productivity.
Posted by:
Girl and Dog on Mar 27, 2019 02:15 PM
p.s.
Got so involved in geeking-out over mushrooms that forgot to say Thanks for the heads-up on this trail system. We've done the loop here several times with friends and dogs after seeing your trip reports. Love your Chanterelle pics here as well -- they're such beautiful mushrooms (no doubt enhanced by the delicious associations).
Posted by:
Girl and Dog on Mar 27, 2019 02:31 PM
geezerhiker on Camano Ridge Forest Preserve
Thank you for the new info re pulling vs. cutting mushrooms. I'm 25 years behind!
Posted by:
geezerhiker on Mar 27, 2019 06:40 PM
Girl and Dog on Camano Ridge Forest Preserve
Ha, you're not -- this debate comes up in almost every discussion of mushroom picking, so, now you're actually way ahead of most people and have The Science to prove it! Thanks again for all your great reports and photos.
Posted by:
Girl and Dog on Mar 27, 2019 09:52 PM
garygause on Camano Ridge Forest Preserve
That trail is only about a mile from my house. I hike it all the time. I'm a big mushroom lover and forager and did not even know chanterelles could be found there. Thanks for the tip! I will be hunting all the time now. Ha.
Posted by:
garygause on May 21, 2021 01:13 PM