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George Washington NF Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

George Washington NF

Good

George Washington NF along the VA-WV border — ridge-and-valley Appalachians with northern hardwoods on ridges (red oak, sugar maple, yellow birch) and mixed mesophytic in coves (tulip poplar, white ash, basswood). Ramseys Draft Wilderness, Reddish Knob, and the St. Mary's Wilderness. Excellent spring morels in tulip poplar coves; chanterelles, black trumpets, and lobster mushroom in summer; chicken and hen through fall.

Trees:Red Oak Tulip Poplar Sugar Maple

Updated Oct 11, 5:13 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

George Washington NF is a Good call for mid-October: soil is 55.6°F, no drought, and the moisture trigger is met, but only 0.63" fell over the last 7 days, so moisture is the limiting factor. Most of the wood-decay and cool-season crowd is firing at high confidence: Oyster, Angel Wings, Aspen and Elm Oyster, Hen of the Woods, Lion's Mane, Bear's Head Tooth, Honey Mushroom, Red-Belted Conk, Turkey Tail, Beefsteak Polypore, Smooth Chanterelle, Hedgehog, Oak Milk Cap, and the jellies (Wood Ear, Jelly Ear, Tooth Jelly). Warm-lean species like Chicken of the Woods and Black Trumpet (60-62°F minimums, 0/7 days above) are only moderate, and so are the 58°F-minimum grassland and lawn types (Shaggy Mane, Giant Puffball, Meadow and Horse Mushroom, waxcaps, parasols), which have hit threshold just 3 of 7 days. Death Cap is also reading high, and it's the mycorrhizal associate under oaks here, so keep it in mind when you're working the same ground as the chanterelles and milk caps. Soil moisture is thin at 0.16 VWC today against a 0.19 weekly average, so it's trending drier. Without a rain event soon, expect flushes to stall and the marginal species to stay marginal. Watch the forecast for a soaking half-inch or more, which would extend the high-confidence list, while another cool snap would push the moderate species further out of range. Hot tip: Hit north-facing hollows and creek-bottom hardwoods where moisture lingers, and prioritize Hen of the Woods around oak bases and Lion's Mane on standing beech while the soil temp holds.

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 Potential80/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

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Nearby Camping

Within(8)

Hone Quarry Campground

developed

USFS~1.1 mi from centerFee required/night

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

Reserve →

Hone Quarry Campground

developed

USFS~1.2 mi from centerFee required/night

10 sites

Reserve →

Camp Flamingo

backcountry

~4 mi from center

Camp May Flather

developed

Girl Scouts Nation's Capital~5.9 mi from center

Reserve →

Todd Lake Recreation Area

developed

USFS~6.7 mi from centerFee required/night

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

Reserve →

Stokesville Campground

developed

~6.8 mi from center

North River Campground

developed

USFS~8.2 mi from centerFee required/night

George Washington & Jefferson National Forest

Reserve →

Camp Todd

developed

~8.7 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 56°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 60°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATECold

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 62°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

MODERATEActivating

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

MODERATEActivating

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

MODERATEActivating

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

MODERATEActivating

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 60°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil temp marginal (56°F vs 60°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19

HIGHPrimed

Lantern StinkhornLysurus mokusin

All conditions met (soil 56°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.19)

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.

George Washington NF

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Hone Quarry Campground

Hone Quarry Campground

Camp Flamingo

Camp May Flather

Todd Lake Recreation Area

Stokesville Campground

North River Campground

Camp Todd

Conditions History

Viable Species

Limiting Factors