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Western MD / Catoctin Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Western MD / Catoctin

Good

Catoctin Mountains and Western Maryland — Appalachian oak-hickory transitioning to northern hardwoods at higher elevation. Catoctin Mountain Park, Savage River SF, Garrett SF. Excellent spring morels in tulip poplar coves and dying ash flats. Chanterelles and chicken in summer.

Trees:Tulip Poplar White Oak Sugar Maple

Updated Oct 11, 5:13 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Western MD/Catoctin sits at Good: soil is 57.4°F with no drought, snowpack is irrelevant, and the moisture trigger is technically met. But 0.06" over 7 days and 0.25" over 14 is thin, and the 0.17 VWC today (down from a 0.20 weekly average) shows the duff drying out. Moisture is the limiting factor, with moderate desiccation risk. Soil temps are comfortably in range for the fall wood-rotters and mycorrhizal crowd: Honey Mushroom, Oyster, Angel Wings, Hen of the Woods, Lion's Mane, Hedgehog, Blewit, Wine Cap, Beefsteak Polypore, Red-Belted Conk, and Turkey Tail all rate high. Warm-season holdouts like Chicken of the Woods, Black Trumpet, and the stinkhorns (Ravenel's, Elegant) are marginal on temperature, and the 58°F-minimum group (Shaggy Mane, Giant Puffball, parasols, meadow/horse mushrooms, waxcaps) has only 3 of 7 days above threshold, so expect sparse flushes there. Watch for rain: a soaking half-inch or more would push the high-rated species into a real flush within 5-10 days, while continued dryness plus falling soil temps will shut down the marginal group and shrink everything else to protected microsites. Hot tip: Hunt north-facing hollows, stream drainages, and big standing or downed hardwood (oak especially) where wood holds moisture. Honey Mushroom, Hen of the Woods, and Oyster on logs will outlast anything out in dry open ground.

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(17)

Camp Misty Mount

developed

NPS~0.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Poplar Grove Youth Camp Site

developed

NPS~1.4 mi from centerFee required/night

Reserve →

Camp Airy for Boys

developed

Camps Airy and Louise~1.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Camp Greentop Historic District

developed

~1.5 mi from center

Reserve →

Camp Ground Meadow

developed

NPS~2 mi from center

Owens Creek Campground

developed

NPS~2.1 mi from centerFee required/night

Reserve →

Adirondack Shelters Camping Area

developed

NPS~2.7 mi from center

Reserve →

Camp West Mar

developed

YMCA~4 mi from centerFee required/night

Reserve →

Cunningham Falls Manor Camping Area

developed

Maryland Department of Natural Resources~4.1 mi from center

Reserve →

Raven Rock Shelter AT Camping Area

backcountry

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club~4.6 mi from center

Ole Mink Farm Recreation and Resort

developed

~5 mi from center

Reserve →

Catoctin Quaker Camp

developed

BYM Camps~5.4 mi from center

Reserve →

Ensign Cowall AT Camping Area

backcountry

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club~5.8 mi from center

Boy Scout Camping Area

developed

~6.4 mi from center

Capital Camps & Retreat Center

developed

~7.1 mi from center

Deer Lick Shelter AT Camping Area

backcountry

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club~8.2 mi from center

Pogo Memorial AT Camping Area

backcountry

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club~8.9 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

HIGHPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 60°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 62°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

BlewitLepista nuda

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Elfin SaddleHelvella crispa

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 58°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Banded MottlegillPanaeolus cinctulus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 60°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil temp marginal (57°F vs 60°F min, 0/7 days above), today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20

HIGHPrimed

Lantern StinkhornLysurus mokusin

All conditions met (soil 57°F, sustained 5/7 days above threshold, today 0.17 VWC, 7d avg 0.20)

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.

Western MD / Catoctin

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Camp Misty Mount

Poplar Grove Youth Camp Site

Camp Airy for Boys

Camp Greentop Historic District

Camp Ground Meadow

Owens Creek Campground

Adirondack Shelters Camping Area

Camp West Mar

Cunningham Falls Manor Camping Area

Raven Rock Shelter AT Camping Area

Ole Mink Farm Recreation and Resort

Catoctin Quaker Camp

Ensign Cowall AT Camping Area

Boy Scout Camping Area

Capital Camps & Retreat Center

Deer Lick Shelter AT Camping Area

Pogo Memorial AT Camping Area

Conditions History

Viable Species

Limiting Factors