The Shrooms are Poppin, but Where?

After a terribly disappointing year hunting mushrooms last year, I am happy to report my colossal success so far! We spent countless hours and many weekends searching for morel mushrooms just one year ago, only to find a measly handful. It was disheartening and I have to admit, I really wasn't excited to make that drive and maneuver the mountainside again, only to be disappointed. The only thing I am disappointed in this year is the way my back aches, from standing and processing so many POUNDS of morels!

It was a slow start, we started in the Blue Mountains, where we've had much success in the past, only to come out with a few. We spent an entire day searching, climbing, and getting discouraged. But, we didn't give up! We switched locations and headed west the past two weekends and I am excited to report, that it was worth the gas money! After scouting a few different elevations, we finally got lucky! It's crazy how you spot that ONE morel and suddenly more and more start to come into focus! Normally we would pick every single mushroom, from the tiniest to the granddaddy of them all! But this year I found myself leaving behind the tiny ones, to let them grow and flourish. Or maybe just leave some for the next hunter!

So if you are a mushroom hunter, or if you have never been but want to, this is the year of the shrooms! After all the rain and so many fires last year the morels have been plentiful. So find yourself a piece of land that is recovering from last year's fire and has the right moisture (hint, hint, East Cascades), you will be glad you did! Good luck to all you mushroom hunters and we would love to hear about your journey!