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Coal River / Southern WV Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Coal River / Southern WV

Excellent

Southern coalfields and the upper Coal River watershed — heart of Appalachian morel and ramps culture. Mixed mesophytic forest in the deep coves: tulip poplar, basswood, sugar maple, white oak, beech, and rich understory of ramps (Allium tricoccum), bloodroot, and trillium. Coal River Mountain, Kayford Mountain, and Wyoming/Boone county headwaters. Spring morels in tulip poplar coves and dying-elm flats; ramps March-April; black trumpets and chanterelles in summer; hen-of-the-woods on white oak in fall.

Trees:Tulip Poplar Sugar Maple White Oak

Updated Oct 11, 5:17 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Southern WV is at Excellent today: soil is sitting at about 60°F, no drought, and the moisture trigger is met. Soil moisture is the real driver. Today's 0.38 VWC against a 7-day average of 0.22 means a recent wetting event, even though the 7- and 14-day precip totals are only 0.14". Nearly everything on the list is fruiting-ready, including hen of the woods, lion's mane, honey mushroom, hedgehog, wine cap, beefsteak, jack-o-lantern, bear's head tooth, and smooth chanterelle. Chicken of the woods, black trumpet, and the stinkhorns are the only marginal ones, since soil temps are right at their minimums with just 2-3 of the last 7 days above threshold. No limiting factor, though temperature is the soft spot for the warm-leaning species. Watch the overnight lows and soil temps over the next few days. A drop below 60°F will shut down the marginal group first, while the hardwood-associated species (hen, lion's mane, honey) should hold on longer. The precip totals are thin, so if the dry stretch continues, the 0.38 VWC will bleed off and the surface-fruiting species will fade before the wood-dwellers do. Hot tip: Prioritize mature oak and beech stands at the lower-to-mid elevations (800-2,500 ft) for hen of the woods and lion's mane, and hit them now while the moisture is peaking, before the thin rainfall lets the soil dry back down.

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

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(0)

No campgrounds within 10 mi. Try widening the radius.

⚠ 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

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil temp marginal (60°F vs 60°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (60°F vs 62°F min, 2/7 days above), today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 60°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil temp marginal (60°F vs 60°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil temp marginal (60°F vs 60°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.38 VWC, 7d avg 0.22 — 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.

Coal River / Southern WV

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Conditions History

Viable Species