Mushroom Obsession

About this time each year, after the first late summer/early fall rains, I do a test foray into my usual mushroom hunting grounds in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, to see what’s happening and plan additional forays throughout September and October. On Thursday and Friday of this week (Sept. 3-4) I camped out in the woods and conducted a preliminary foray. Here’s a report and a schedule of additional forays that are planned. If you would like to join any of them, please email me at LarryShort@gmail.com.

Golden Chanterelles Are Happening

Following this week’s rains, the Chanties are popping up. I collected several dozen nice, healthy young specimens.

My first (of several dozen) Golden Chanterelle of the Fall 2026 season.

And Then There Are Lobsters!

In addition to the Chanterelles, I found several nice Lobsters. (To review, the Lobster is a very ordinary fungus, Russula brevipes, which has been infected with another fungus, Hydromyces lactiflourum, which has the effect of exploding it in size, giving it a bright red color, and also flavoring it with overtones of lobster!

My first of several lobsters of the Fall 2026 season.

And More!

In addition to the usual Chanterelles and Lobsters, I found a nice Shrimp russula:

This is an identification screen from the cool (free) “Seek” app, which helps confirm what I already suspected in terms of the specific mushroom species I was looking at. It handles most any kind of flora, fauna, or fungus. (And possibly even aliens?)

and also a pretty shelf mushroom I’d never seen before, Pycnoporellus fulgens … not an edible, but a secondary shelf polypore from which a nice red dye can be made (secondary shelf polypores pick up the wood decomposition started by primary shelf polypores):

After cleaning these mushrooms I cooked up and ate the Shrimp russula (delicious dry sauteed in olive oil, garlic and shallots, with a little salt and pepper and deglazed with Chardonnay!), cooked (in a similar manner, see my Chanterelle Shazam recipe on AllRecipes.com) and served the Chanterelles, and dehydrated the Lobster and Pycno for later use.

Are You Interested in Learning More?

It’s always an adventure, with new mushrooms to be found! If you are interested in joining me for a free foray over the next two months, I will be scheduling the following dates and times. (No guarantees … slots are dependent on weather and other factors. Maximum foray party size of five people or fewer, minimum of two, excluding guide. Terrain can be moderately challenging. Toddlers must be able to walk accompanied by a parent or guardian. Because this is a hobby organization, you are responsible for your own safety and I cannot be held liable for any loss or injury. Although I naturally do my best to help prevent this!)

• Friday, Sept. 11, 2-4 p.m. (taken)
• Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. – 12 noon (cancelled due to weather)
• Saturday, Sept. 12, 2-4 p.m. (cancelled due to weather)
• Friday, Sept. 18, 2-5 p.m. (limited availability)
• Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (limited availability)
• Saturday, Sept. 19, 2-5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 2, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. – noon
• Saturday, Oct. 3, 1-4 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 9, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-noon
• Saturday, Oct. 10, 1-4 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 16, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-noon
• Saturday, Oct. 17, 1-4 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 23, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. – noon
• Saturday, Oct. 24, 1-4 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 30, 1:30-4:30 p.m. (taken)
• Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – noon (taken)
• Saturday, Oct. 31, 1-4 p.m.

I think conditions are looking good for Fall mushrooms and will look forward to finding them with you! Send me a message expressing interest at LarryShort@gmail.com and I will reply with the necessary details.

Also, I am pleased to announce that have been retained by the international foraging organization WyldForest to lead professional forays in this same area. If you prefer to schedule through them, please visit their website and indicate your interest in my location (Tacoma area) and one of the available dates above.

Cheers! And happy shrooming!