Humboldt’s Wild Fungi & Foraging Culture
Hey, it’s us again. If you’ve been here for even five minutes during a rainy fall day, you’ve probably overheard someone whispering about a chanterelle spot or seen a muddy Subaru with a suspiciously full basket in the back. Mushroom season isn’t just a hobby here—it’s a quiet obsession.
This guide is for the curious, the cautious, and the folks who want to walk a little slower through the woods, eyes on the duff and dreams of gold.
When to Go (and Why It Matters)
Best Season: Mid-August through early December (sometimes longer if the rains stay kind). Late winter (February) can have a second wave of hedgehogs and trumpets.
Why Timing Counts: Fungi don’t follow calendars—they follow moisture and temperature. A good week of rain followed by sun? That’s your signal. Bring a basket.
What to Look For
🍄 Chanterelles
Golden, trumpet-shaped, and growing in clusters under Douglas fir and spruce.
🧡 Hedgehog Mushrooms
Look like chanterelles from above, but flip them over—they have little spines instead of gills. Mild and nutty.
🖤 Black Trumpets
Harder to find. Black-gray with a deep, smoky flavor. Grow in mossy hollows and leaf litter. Pure magic.
🍖 Lobster Mushrooms
Bright orange-red and weirdly meaty. Technically a fungus growing on another fungus. Great in tacos.
Where to Go (and What Not to Do)
Go Slow & Look Down
- Around Sue-meg State Park: Tucked-off trails are best. Stay low and quiet.
- Around Prairie Creek / Cal Barrel Road: A favorite among locals. Tons of moss, shade, and diversity.
- Big Lagoon Forest Edge: Less trafficked and full of surprises.
Don’t…
- Forage in state parks without knowing the rules.
- Pick mushrooms near roads, logging cuts, or areas with questionable runoff.
- Ever eat something unless you’re 100% sure. Not 80%. Not even 95%. A real 100%.
What to Bring
- Mesh basket or paper bags (not plastic—mushrooms rot fast)
- Mushroom knife (one with a brush helps)
- Field guide: “Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast” is the local bible
- Layers and waterproof boots
- Curiosity and time to wander
Cooking Them Right
Cleaning: Gently brush off dirt. Don’t soak—mushrooms are like sponges.
Ideas:
- Chanterelles with garlic and thyme on sourdough toast
- Black trumpet pasta with cream and cracked pepper
- Hedgehog mushroom risotto
Final Spores
Mushroom hunting is more than a meal—it’s a mindset. It’s about walking slow, looking close, and tuning in to the forest’s quiet whisper. Whether you come home with a basket full or just a better mood, you win either way.
See you in the duff,
Lisa & Taylor
Camp Trinidad
