Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of fungi with our Fall Mushroom Foraging Trips! Join us every weekend in October as we venture into the lush forests of Skagit County and the North Cascades, guided by our seasoned mycologist and naturalist, Matt Hale. Whether you're a seasoned forager or a curious beginner, this hands-on experience will deepen your knowledge and appreciation for these fascinating organisms.
Dates: The first and third Saturdays in October (5, 19)
and second Saturday in November (9)
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Various locations within 1.5 hours of Mount Vernon, WA*.
*As mushrooms can be unpredictable, we will announce exact foray locations to registered participants within a few days of the course. A roster will be provided for carpooling with other participants or a carpool meet-up site will be given to reduce the amount of cars on the road and at the trailhead.
What to Expect:
Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced instructors who will teach you how to safely identify, harvest, and enjoy a variety of edible and medicinal mushrooms.
Field Exploration: Engage in immersive foraging hikes through diverse ecosystems, enhancing your skills in mushroom identification and sustainable harvesting practices.
Interactive Learning: Participate in discussions and demonstrations covering mushroom ecology, foraging ethics, and the culinary and medicinal uses of different species.
Community Connection: Connect with fellow nature enthusiasts and share the joy of discovering the hidden treasures of the forest floor.
What to Bring:
Sturdy hiking boots
Weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended)
Notebook and pen for notes and sketches
Water bottle and snacks
Enthusiasm and curiosity!
Each of these courses is limited to 12 participants. Kids and foragers of all ages are welcome to attend, but they must be prepared to hike / walk on uneven to moderately sloping ground on or off trail for up to 4 hours with or without significant breaks.
Meet Your Guide
Matt Hale is a mycologist and naturalist from the Skykomish Valley of Washington State. His lifelong passion for wilderness, plants, and fungi led him to studying at Alderleaf Wilderness College where he graduated in 2015 with Permaculture Design and CyberTracker Level II certificates. Over the last 10 years, in addition to teaching wilderness skills to youth and guiding wilderness therapy trips, Matt owned and operated a farm and forage business in Sedro-Woolley.
Join us in the Forest for a weekend!
We are offering sliding scale pricing for this intensive. Please select the price that feels right for your budget. No questions asked.
Supporting Rate - $60 (Only 1 space available)
Standard Rate - $50 (Only 9 spaces available)
Accessibility Rate - $40 (Only 1 space available)
Reciprocity Rate - $20 (only 1 space available)
If you would like to know more about our sliding scale model and how to select which tier you fall into, please read our blog post about Sliding Scale Pricing.