Category Archives: Foraging

Afternoon drive to Green Ridge

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Well I found myself with a rare afternoon with no plans, so I decided to take a drive to Green Ridge to see if the Morel mushrooms were out yet. I know it’s mid may but we have had a cold and snowy spring here in Madras, so I was not sure if I would find them or not.

The drive out of town was spectacular as always. I took the route around lake Billy Chinook and up through Grandview and 3 Rivers into the mountains.

There are some great views of the Cascade range along this route and it was a perfect day to see them.

The road winded through the mountains mile after mile as I looked for likely spots for the mushrooms to grow. I checked disturbed areas and burns as these are spots the morels seem to be found in.

I continued deeper into the mountains checking here and there and driving slowly while checking the roadside until eventually I started finding a few Morels.

Did I mention that the views of the valley and lake Billy Chinook from Green Ridge are truly awesome? well they are and it is well worth the drive just to see them.

If you find yourself with a few hours to kill, I suggest taking a drive out toward Green Ridge. The roads are unmaintained for the most part, but not too rough for most vehicles. and it is always a great and scenic drive especially in the spring.

Finally Fall, now comes the rain.

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I have been looking forward to fall since last winter, Don’t get me wrong I love summer as much as the next person, but the majority of my foraging is done when the rains start. I have already collected my Huckleberries and choke cherries, I have made fireweed jelly and elderberry syrup and now it is time to find mushrooms.

I have a few spots that I frequent to search for mushrooms and the rains have finally come so off I go. The drive to Mt. Hood was quiet as the rain was sprinkling on the windshield, just quiet conversation with my wife Pam and anticipation of what we hoped to find when we got there.

We cheked a few spots that we had found while hunting last year and came up with a few good finds. Even though it is only September, there are already Chanterelles and Corals coming up. We even found some Chicken of the woods and even a few fried chicken mushrooms, not bad for late september.

Now to get out the dehydrator and preserve these for winter. I have a few recipes I am wanting to try and I will let you know how they turn out. It seems we are off to a good start so if the weather continues to cooperate we should have a good stock for winter.

As always be safe in the woods and when foraging wild mushrooms make double sure what you have before consuming them.