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Laurel Highlands Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Laurel Highlands

Laurel Ridge, Chestnut Ridge, and the Youghiogheny Gorge in SW Pennsylvania — Ohiopyle SP, Forbes SF, Laurel Hill SP. Rich mixed mesophytic with tulip poplar, sugar maple, American beech, eastern hemlock, and yellow birch. Exceptional spring morel territory in tulip poplar coves; chanterelles, black trumpets, hen-of-the-woods, and lion's mane through summer and fall.

Trees:Sugar Maple Eastern Hemlock Tulip Poplar

Updated Aug 27, 4:19 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

# Laurel Highlands | S-Tier Flush – Go Now This is a wide-open, textbook late-summer peak. Seven consecutive days above soil temp threshold, sustained moisture at 0.28 VWC, and zero drought stress means you've got the full breadth of August-September fruiting bodies firing simultaneously. Chanterelles, oysters, and hedgehogs are your bread-and-butter targets, but this window is generous enough to work boletes, milk caps, and even the late-season corals and tooth fungi. No limiting factor—that's rare. The only marginal play is Black Trumpet at 61°F (just under its 62°F preference), but moisture compensation keeps it viable; it'll pop harder if temps dip another degree or two over the next 48 hours. Watch for a cooling trend in the next 3–5 days to extend the window and push Black Trumpet and bolete maturity harder. Hot tip: Hit north-facing ravines and low-canopy oak stands at dawn—soil temps there will stay cooler and slower the flush, buying you a 5–7 day window instead of a 3-day sprint.

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(10)

Mountain Pines Campground

developed

~5.9 mi from centerFee required/night

electric hookup

Reserve →

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™

developed

~6 mi from centerFee required/night

toiletshower

Reserve →

Campsite 3

backcountry

Western PA Conservancy~6.3 mi from center

Campsite 2

backcountry

Western PA Conservancy~6.5 mi from center

Lost Mountain Campground

developed

~6.7 mi from centerFee required/night

toiletshowerelectric hookup

Reserve →

Group Site

backcountry

Western PA Conservancy~7 mi from center

Pioneer Lakes RV Park

developed

~7.9 mi from centerFee required/night

toiletshowerelectric hookup

Reserve →

Campsite 5

backcountry

Western PA Conservancy~7.9 mi from center

Hickory Hollow Campground

developed

~8.8 mi from centerFee required/night

toiletshowerelectric hookup

Reserve →

Kentuck Campground

developed

~10 mi from centerFee required/night

electric hookup

Reserve →

⚠ 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 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

ChanterelleCantharellus cibarius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (61°F vs 62°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen BoleteLeccinum insigne

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crown-Tipped CoralArtomyces pyxidatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Cinnabar ChanterelleCantharellus cinnabarinus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Berkeley's PolyporeBondarzewia berkeleyi

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Frost's BoleteBoletus frostii

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Two-Colored BoleteBoletus bicolor

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Caesar's AmanitaAmanita jacksonii

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Weeping Milk CapLactifluus volemus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green Cracked RussulaRussula virescens

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Peppery Milk CapLactarius piperatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Northern ToothClimacodon septentrionalis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime MoldFuligo septica

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blue-Foot PsilocybePsilocybe caerulipes

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Banded MottlegillPanaeolus cinctulus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Willow ShieldPluteus salicinus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.28 VWC, 7d avg 0.30 — 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.

Laurel Highlands

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Mountain Pines Campground

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™

Campsite 3

Campsite 2

Lost Mountain Campground

Group Site

Pioneer Lakes RV Park

Campsite 5

Hickory Hollow Campground

Kentuck Campground

Conditions History

Viable Species