August 30, 2009 Asheville Mushroom Club Foray

Foray Leaders:  Ken McGill, Ginger Fisher

Foray Location: Dupont Forest, Lake Imaging Area trails.  Small groups foraged the Holly Road Trail, Ridgeline Trail, and Jim Branch Trail, then gathered at Lake Imaging for lunch and mushroom identification.

Foray Habitat and Weather: All trails featured hilly, mixed forest (pines, spruce, various hardwoods) with some underbrush.  Trails passed through areas of pine needles, downed logs, ferns, and rhododendrons.  There were no creeks on the trails, but recent rains produced plenty of ground moisture. We enjoyed partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 80's.

Comments: Seventeen club members (and one faithful chow) found an abundance of edible mushrooms.  The group gathered at least 24 of the club's "Top 50 Mushrooms" and a wide variety of other fungi (see species list).  Charlotte Caplan identified specimens and led discussion while club members enjoyed lunch by the tranquil lake.  In addition to finding good edibles, the group was excited to see a number of trail horses and one poisonous snake in the vicinity of the lake.  The recent rains have created a bumper crop of chanterelles, lactarius, and boletes in the area, and everyone went home with a full basket and plans for a good supper.

Species identified: