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Monongahela National Forest Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Monongahela National Forest

Monongahela NF in the Allegheny Highlands. Rich northern hardwood forests with tulip poplar, sugar maple, red oak, and American beech. Excellent morel habitat in cove hardwoods and along stream bottoms. Spruce Knob (4,863 ft) is the state high point. Old orchards and disturbed ground along forest roads are prime spring targets.

Trees:Tulip Poplar Sugar Maple Red Oak

Updated Aug 27, 4:12 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

**S-tier is justified—this is a peak flush window.** Monongahela is locked in ideal conditions: soil has held above thermal thresholds for a full week, volumetric water content is sustained at 0.29 across the 7-day window, and zero drought stress means consistent uptake. You've got 130+ viable species in play, with the vast majority in the "high" band. The only marginal notes are on thermophiles like stinkhorns and chickens that barely clear 59°F floor, but they're still actionable. Focus your effort on the 7-day sustained performers—boletes, milk caps, polypores, tooth fungi, and choice ectomycorrhizals like *Lobster* and *Slippery Jack*. The wood-decay guild (Artist's Conk, Beefsteak, Turkey Tail chain) will fruit hard right now. Avoid the marginal-temp species unless ambient air spikes; they're not your priority. No limiting factor means hunt aggressively across all elevations and aspects. Moisture will stay the variable to monitor going forward—if precip drops below 0.2" over the next 72 hours, watch for rapid drying in exposed, sandy microsites. **Hot tip:** Target north-facing seeps and draws where retained moisture extends fruiting windows; boletes and russulas will fruit 3–5 days longer there than ridge-top sites.

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(4)

Stonecoal Dispersed Camping

developed

~1.9 mi from center

East Fork Campground & Horse Hotel

developed

~5.4 mi from centerFee required/night

watertoiletshower

Reserve →

MIDDLE MOUNTAIN CABINS

developed

USFS~6.6 mi from center

Reserve →

Island Campground

developed

USFS~8.4 mi from center

Monongahela National Forest

⚠ 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 (59°F vs 60°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 62°F min, 1/7 days above), today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Cauliflower MushroomSparassis crispa

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

ReishiGanoderma tsugae

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pink-Tipped CoralRamaria botrytis

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen BoleteLeccinum insigne

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Saffron Milk CapLactarius deliciosus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crown-Tipped CoralArtomyces pyxidatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Panther CapAmanita pantherina

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pig's EarsGomphus clavatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bleeding ToothHydnellum peckii

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Cinnabar ChanterelleCantharellus cinnabarinus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Berkeley's PolyporeBondarzewia berkeleyi

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Frost's BoleteBoletus frostii

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Two-Colored BoleteBoletus bicolor

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Gypsy MushroomCortinarius caperatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Caesar's AmanitaAmanita jacksonii

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The PrinceAgaricus augustus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Weeping Milk CapLactifluus volemus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bay BoleteImleria badia

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Painted BoleteSuillus spraguei

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Chicken-Fat BoleteSuillus americanus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp RussulaRussula xerampelina

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The SickenerRussula emetica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green Cracked RussulaRussula virescens

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Short-Stemmed RussulaRussula brevipes

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Peppery Milk CapLactarius piperatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly WebcapCortinarius rubellus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bloody WebcapCortinarius sanguineus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bleeding AgaricusAgaricus haemorrhoidarius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Northern ToothClimacodon septentrionalis

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sweet ToothHydnum umbilicatum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red CoralRamaria araiospora

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime MoldFuligo septica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Scaly Wood MushroomAgaricus silvaticus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lobster MushroomHypomyces lactifluorum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Slippery JackSuillus luteus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hawks Wing

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blue-Foot PsilocybePsilocybe caerulipes

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 60°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Dune StinkhornPhallus hadriani

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 60°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 60°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Lantern StinkhornLysurus mokusin

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.26 VWC, 7d avg 0.29 — 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.

Monongahela National Forest

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Stonecoal Dispersed Camping

East Fork Campground & Horse Hotel

MIDDLE MOUNTAIN CABINS

Island Campground

Conditions History

Viable Species