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Gifford Pinchot / South Cascades Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Gifford Pinchot / South Cascades

Gifford Pinchot NF around Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. Famous for morel flushes in disturbed areas. Mixed conifer and old-growth. Productive chanterelle and matsutake grounds.

Trees:Douglas Fir Western Hemlock Western Red Cedar

Permit Info →

Updated Aug 27, 4:06 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

**Gifford Pinchot Tier A: Breadth Over Depth** You're sitting on a classic late-August South Cascades scenario—massive species diversity with marginal conditions across the board. The A-tier reflects the sheer number of viable fruiting candidates (60+), not ideal conditions. Soil temps are barely kissing threshold at 55°F, and moisture at 0.13 VWC is fighting uphill; the real constraint is that nothing has gotten a hard rain trigger in two weeks, just dust. That said, established wood-decay networks (Reishi, Chaga, polypores, Red-Capped Scaber Stalks) don't care about soil VWC—they're your steady play. Milk caps, boletes, and Amanitas *could* pin heavily if we catch even a modest front in the next 48–72 hours; right now you're in the waiting phase, not the harvest phase. Watch the forecast hard—this region flips fast once moisture comes through, and late August is prime timing for early-fall pushes. **Hot tip:** Hit north-aspect slopes above 6,000 ft where residual snowmelt seeps are still running; soil moisture there is 2–3 points higher than the south side, and your bolete/hedgehog window is genuinely open.

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

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(21)

Quartz Creek Butte Trail Backcountry Campsite

backcountry

USFS~0.8 mi from center

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

backcountry

USFS~1.3 mi from center

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

backcountry

USFS~2.3 mi from center

Horse Camp: Lewis River

developed

USFS~2.6 mi from centerFee required/night

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Reserve →

Quartz Creek Camping Area

developed

~2.6 mi from center

Lewis River Horse Camp

developed

~2.7 mi from center

Island Shelter

backcountry

~2.8 mi from center

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

backcountry

USFS~2.9 mi from center

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

backcountry

USFS~3.2 mi from center

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

backcountry

USFS~3.9 mi from center

LOWER FALLS CAMPGROUND

developed

USFS~4.8 mi from centerIf a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time (1 p.m.) the day after arrival he or she will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee and will release the campsite for others to use./night

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Reserve →

Lower Falls Campground

developed

USFS~4.9 mi from centerFee required/night

60 sites

watertoilet

Reserve →

Campground: Tillicum

developed

USFS~5.4 mi from centerFee required/night

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Reserve →

Steamboat Lake Campground

developed

USFS~6.2 mi from center

South Campground

developed

~6.3 mi from center

Campground: Twin Falls

developed

USFS~6.4 mi from centerFee required/night

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Reserve →

Surprise Lakes Indian Campground

developed

~7.7 mi from center

Cold Spring Campground

developed

~8.6 mi from center

Council Lake Campground

developed

~9.2 mi from center

Meadow Creek Indian Campground

developed

~9.3 mi from center

Luna Lake Camping Area

backcountry

~9.9 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

MODERATEActivating

Cauliflower MushroomSparassis crispa

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

ReishiGanoderma tsugae

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Pink-Tipped CoralRamaria botrytis

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Saffron Milk CapLactarius deliciosus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Panther CapAmanita pantherina

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Birch BoleteLeccinum scabrum

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Pig's EarsGomphus clavatus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Bleeding ToothHydnellum peckii

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Gypsy MushroomCortinarius caperatus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

The PrinceAgaricus augustus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Bay BoleteImleria badia

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Painted BoleteSuillus spraguei

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Chicken-Fat BoleteSuillus americanus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Shrimp RussulaRussula xerampelina

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

The SickenerRussula emetica

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Short-Stemmed RussulaRussula brevipes

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Deadly WebcapCortinarius rubellus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Bloody WebcapCortinarius sanguineus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Bleeding AgaricusAgaricus haemorrhoidarius

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Sweet ToothHydnum umbilicatum

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Red CoralRamaria araiospora

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Scaly Wood MushroomAgaricus silvaticus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 58°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Lobster MushroomHypomyces lactifluorum

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Slippery JackSuillus luteus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Hawks Wing

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Bottle CapPsilocybe baeocystis

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Banded MottlegillPanaeolus cinctulus

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

MODERATEActivating

Dune StinkhornPhallus hadriani

soil temp marginal (55°F vs 60°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.13 VWC, 7d avg 0.15)

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.

Gifford Pinchot / South Cascades

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Quartz Creek Butte Trail Backcountry Campsite

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

Horse Camp: Lewis River

Quartz Creek Camping Area

Lewis River Horse Camp

Island Shelter

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

Quartz Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

LOWER FALLS CAMPGROUND

Lower Falls Campground

Campground: Tillicum

Steamboat Lake Campground

South Campground

Campground: Twin Falls

Surprise Lakes Indian Campground

Cold Spring Campground

Council Lake Campground

Meadow Creek Indian Campground

Luna Lake Camping Area

Conditions History

Viable Species

Limiting Factors