A quick park and grab off highway 72. Enjoy the views, and the sweet sound of the water. DO NOT wander, as the site is surrounded by private land. This includes the creek, so please just look.
When the rains are consistent, foraging for mushrooms in Colorado is a great time! There is a wide variety, but being a novice, I only hunt for 3 varieties. This cache is honor of one of my favorites, the Golden Chanterelle.
WARNING: Foraging for wild mushrooms can be extremely dangerous. Never attempt to eat a wild foraged mushroom without proper training from an experience hunter, or mycologist. Your continued life, and/or digestive system will thank you.
Scientific Name: Cantharellus Cibarius Fr., Cantharellaceae, Aphyllophorales
Physical Description: Bright yellow, to orange cap, descending stalk, veins (false gills), wavy, margined cap
Habitat: single to many on the ground, under Oaks, or Conifers
Taste: choice, highly prized worldwide, faint odor of apricots, delicate, peppery flavor, high in vitamin A
Toxic Lookalike: several, but in particular the poisonous Jack O' Lantern
Name Origin: Chanterelle comes from the greek word "Kantharos," meaning 'vase'.
Fun Facts:
* In Russia, Chanterelles are called "lisichki", or 'little fox'.
* The British Columbia Thompson First Nation people called the Golden Chanterelle, "little fish gills", and were often eaten alongside salmon.
* Golden Chanterelles were designated Oregon's state mushroom in 1999.