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Cherokee NF Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Cherokee NF

Excellent

Cherokee National Forest — six ranger districts along the NC-TN border from the Virginia line to the Smokies. Mixed mesophytic coves with tulip poplar, sugar maple, basswood, and yellow buckeye; oak-hickory on drier slopes; red spruce at the Roan Mountain highlands. Exceptional spring morels in coves; summer chanterelles, black trumpets, lobster; fall hen-of-the-woods and chicken-of-the-woods.

Trees:Tulip Poplar Sugar Maple Yellow Buckeye

Updated Oct 11, 5:14 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Cherokee NF is Excellent right now: soil is holding at 60.4°F, drought is absent, and soil moisture is sustained (0.30 VWC today against a 0.25 seven-day average). Only 0.03" of rain has fallen in two weeks, but the moisture trigger is met and the ground is holding water, so the dry spell isn't suppressing flushes. Snowpack is irrelevant here, with melt complete and SWE at 0%. Nearly everything in the fall lineup is firing at high confidence: hen of the woods, lion's mane, oysters (including aspen and elm), honey mushroom, matsutake, hedgehogs, the chanterelle complex, boletes (bay, painted, admirable, chicken-fat), cauliflower mushroom, saffron milk cap, and the Russula and Lactarius crowd. On the cooler side, turkey tail, winter polypore, and the wood-decay brackets are all active too. The only things lagging are chicken of the woods, black trumpet, and the stinkhorns. Their soil temps are marginal, with only 2 of 7 days above threshold, so mycelium is active but primordia haven't set. Black trumpets are 2°F under their 62°F minimum and may not get there as fall cools, so don't plan around them. Watch the forecast: a soaking rain would push this even higher, but a sharp cold snap would shut down the warm-leaning species and cap the trumpets and chicken at "not this week." Hot tip: With rainfall this light, target north-facing drainages, hardwood coves, and creek benches where duff holds moisture, and hit hen of the woods at the base of mature oaks while the 7/7 temperature streak is intact.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential95/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

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Nearby Camping

Within(9)

Rock Creek Campground

developed

USFS~0.8 mi from centerFee required/night

37 sites

Rock Creek Recreation Area

developed

USFS~0.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Cherokee National Forest

Reserve →

Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)

developed

USFS~0.9 mi from center

Reserve →

Unaka Mountains

developed

USFS~2.1 mi from center

Tent campsite

developed

~2.5 mi from center

North Indian Creek Campground

developed

~2.6 mi from center

Woodsmoke Campground

developed

~4 mi from center

Reserve →

Nolichucky Gorge Campground and Cabins

developed

~5.8 mi from center

Spivey Gap Recreation Area

developed

~9.2 mi from center

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil warming up (60°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (60°F vs 62°F min, 2/7 days above), today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Cauliflower MushroomSparassis crispa

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

MatsutakeTricholoma magnivelare

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pink-Tipped CoralRamaria botrytis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Saffron Milk CapLactarius deliciosus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Panther CapAmanita pantherina

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pig's EarsGomphus clavatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bleeding ToothHydnellum peckii

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pacific Golden ChanterelleCantharellus formosus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow FootCraterellus tubaeformis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Rainbow ChanterelleCantharellus roseocanus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Gypsy MushroomCortinarius caperatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The PrinceAgaricus augustus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bay BoleteImleria badia

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Painted BoleteSuillus spraguei

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Chicken-Fat BoleteSuillus americanus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Admirable BoleteAureoboletus mirabilis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp RussulaRussula xerampelina

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The SickenerRussula emetica

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Short-Stemmed RussulaRussula brevipes

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly WebcapCortinarius rubellus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bloody WebcapCortinarius sanguineus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bleeding AgaricusAgaricus haemorrhoidarius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sweet ToothHydnum umbilicatum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red CoralRamaria araiospora

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lobster MushroomHypomyces lactifluorum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Slippery JackSuillus luteus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hawks Wing

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Banded MottlegillPanaeolus cinctulus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil warming up (60°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil warming up (60°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.30 VWC, 7d avg 0.25 — moisture sustained

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.

Cherokee NF

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Rock Creek Campground

Rock Creek Recreation Area

Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)

Unaka Mountains

Tent campsite

North Indian Creek Campground

Woodsmoke Campground

Nolichucky Gorge Campground and Cabins

Spivey Gap Recreation Area

Conditions History

Viable Species