Getting Ready For Spring Morel Foraging in the PNW, a Step by Step Guide

photo by Michael McKay

Numerous species of morel exist, all equally tasty, but they only appear for a few weeks annually and are rather elusive. To improve your odds of a successful hunt, consider planning ahead and following my step-by-step guide below:

1. Make sure you have availability to go out when the weather is just right:

   1. Morels grow in the spring when the ground temp is between 50-60 degrees

   2. Get current and historical data on the soil temp in your area at: https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature

   3. Soil temps can vary wildly based on elevation, sun exposure, and ground cover. You can often tell your location is the right temperature based on the presence of these two flowers:

      1. The Trillium ovatum blooms are white

         1. 

            photo by David M. Chambers

      2. Calypso orchids often grow near the conifer loving morels

         1. 

            National Parks Gallery

2. Scout out likely locations

   1. Because morels grow as the soil temperature warms, they appear first at lower elevations and move up in elevation as the season progresses. Typically, in March and April I look in the coastal forests, in May I start heading up the passes

   2. West of the Cascades I find them most frequently in coniferous forests with long needle pine trees near last year's campfires or alongside Calypso Orchids

   3. East of the Cascades I find them most frequently in burned areas or in mossy little valleys between long needled pine trees

   4. Morels most often grow in 3 types habitats:

      1. In sandy soil with willow, cottonwood, oak, alder, or aspen, often alongside rivers

         
         

         

         Cottonwood

         
         

      2. In coniferous forests

         
         

         

         Conifer cone

         
         

         1. Not sure where to look?

            1. National Forest: https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/data3/Regional/Pacific%20Northwest%20Region%20Forest.pdf

            2. Washington State Parks: https://waparks.org/interactive-state-park-map/ 

            3. Oregon State Parks: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.publications

      3. In pine forests, 1-2 years after a wildfire, I often find a few near campfires

         
         

         

         burned forest

         
         

         1. ⚠️WARNING⚠️: extreme caution and respect required:

            1. Recently burned forests are extra dangerous due to falling debris and hollows under ground. Go slowly, keep your ears and eyes open, and test where you are going to step (walking stick recommended)

            2. The communities nearby are often suffering the loss of their homes, jobs, and forested areas. Don't be the jerk that benefits off of their plight, do something to help while you are there: https://wildfirerisk.org/reduce-risk/recovery/

            3. Map out previous wildfires at: https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/usfs/map/#d:2024-05-05..2024-06-01;l:fires_all,countries,earth;@-118.3,46.4,7.2z

            4. While these areas have the most prolific flushes of morels in our region, they also have the most professional picker competition

3. The morels often grow far from where we live. It can help to reserve a nearby camping spot in advance, giving you a chance to cover more ground

   1. Post Covid, camping sites are a commodity, reserving early has become the norm.

      1. Most Washington State campgrounds become available for reservation 9 months in advance

      2. Most Oregon State campgrounds become available for reservation 6 months in advance

      3. Most (but not all!) campgrounds in both states can be reserved through https://www.recreation.gov/

4. Understand the rules and limits of foraging in your chosen area

   1. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd497571.pdf

   2. Washington State lands: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=352-28-030

      1. If you're heading to a Washington State Park, be sure to check the park's regulations before you go

   3. Oregon State Parks: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&load=_siteFiles%2Fpublications%2F%2FFt_Stevens_guide_to_mushrooms%28lowres%29020209.pdf

5. Make sure you know how to distinguish the delicious morel from it's toxic look-alikes: https://www.pnwfungiforager.com/mushrooms/morel-identification-guide

   1. Never ever eat a morel raw!

6. Tips and tricks to improve your chances of finding morels:

   1. Morels often look like up-ended pine cones from a distance

   2. It can help to kneel down to get a better view and look for their shape rather than trying to isolate their color against the forest back drop

   3. Morels a are bit like flowers, they need a little space and sunlight to grow, so you can skip areas with thick underbrush

   4. Polarized sunglasses can help you see the morels that blend into the scenery