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Superior NF / BWCA Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Superior NF / BWCA

Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness — classic boreal forest of red pine, white pine, jack pine, paper birch, quaking aspen, and balsam fir. Legendary chanterelle, golden chanterelle, king bolete, and birch polypore country. Fruiting peaks late August through mid-September; morels follow spring burns in jack pine stands.

Trees:Red Pine Paper Birch Aspen

Updated Aug 27, 4:18 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

You're sitting on a Tier A that's almost entirely moisture-starved—this region has been running on fumes for two weeks. The 0.08 VWC is genuinely marginal across the board, and the 7-day drought lock means established fruiting bodies are thin on the ground. That said, the soil temperature is just breaking into the sweet spot (61°F, climbing), which is waking up mycelium for cooler-season species like *Chicken of the Woods*, *Cauliflower*, and *Parasol* variants—but you won't see primordia until moisture follows the heat. The reality: you're watching species sit at activation threshold, ready to flush the *moment* rain arrives. Polypores and wood decay fungi (*Reishi*, *Artist's Conk*, *Turkey Tail*) are your most reliable harvest right now—they don't need fresh pulses the way gilled fungi do. Boletes and chanterelles are technically viable but will be scattered and small until that trigger finally hits. Watch the next 48–72 hours obsessively: any measurable rain (even 0.2") will catalyze a flush across the warm-soil species. Soil temps are within 1–3 degrees of ideal for *Chicken*, *Parasol*, *Giant Puffball*, and *Shaggy Mane* across much of the elevation range. **Hot tip:** Scout your established polypore zones and downed wood now while it's dry—marking good decay wood sets you up to cherry-pick the freshest specimens the moment humidity breaks.

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(3)

Site 1170

backcountry

Superior National Forest~0.5 mi from centerFee required/night

toilet

Site 1175

backcountry

Superior National Forest~0.9 mi from centerFee required/night

toilet

Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground

developed

USFS~8.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Superior National Forest

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

MODERATEPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

ChanterelleCantharellus cibarius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

King BoleteBoletus edulis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (61°F vs 62°F min, 0/7 days above), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Cauliflower MushroomSparassis crispa

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

ReishiGanoderma tsugae

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Pink-Tipped CoralRamaria botrytis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Aspen BoleteLeccinum insigne

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Saffron Milk CapLactarius deliciosus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Crown-Tipped CoralArtomyces pyxidatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Panther CapAmanita pantherina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Birch BoleteLeccinum scabrum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Pig's EarsGomphus clavatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bleeding ToothHydnellum peckii

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Cinnabar ChanterelleCantharellus cinnabarinus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Berkeley's PolyporeBondarzewia berkeleyi

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Frost's BoleteBoletus frostii

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Two-Colored BoleteBoletus bicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Gypsy MushroomCortinarius caperatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Caesar's AmanitaAmanita jacksonii

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

The PrinceAgaricus augustus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Weeping Milk CapLactifluus volemus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bay BoleteImleria badia

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Painted BoleteSuillus spraguei

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Chicken-Fat BoleteSuillus americanus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Shrimp RussulaRussula xerampelina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

The SickenerRussula emetica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Green Cracked RussulaRussula virescens

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Short-Stemmed RussulaRussula brevipes

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Peppery Milk CapLactarius piperatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Deadly WebcapCortinarius rubellus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bloody WebcapCortinarius sanguineus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bleeding AgaricusAgaricus haemorrhoidarius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Northern ToothClimacodon septentrionalis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Sweet ToothHydnum umbilicatum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Red CoralRamaria araiospora

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime MoldFuligo septica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Scaly Wood MushroomAgaricus silvaticus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

soil warming up (61°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Lobster MushroomHypomyces lactifluorum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Slippery JackSuillus luteus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Hawks Wing

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil warming up (61°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.08 — sustained dry)

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.

Superior NF / BWCA

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Site 1170

Site 1175

Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground

Conditions History

Viable Species

Limiting Factors