Colorado is famous for so many reasons. We’ve got some of the tallest mountains in the U.S., gorgeous blue skies, and so many recreational opportunities, sometimes it’s hard to choose between all the fun adventures.
Extreme sports like whitewater rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing might immediately come to mind when thinking of a summer or fall in Colorado, but these aren’t the only ways to have fun in the Centennial State. Late summer and early fall are perfect times to get out into the mountains and explore.
If you’re the curious type, the pastimes of mushroom hunting, geocaching and rock hounding might be the perfect ways to appreciate nature and be on the lookout for treasures, all at the same time.
Oh My! Mycology and Mushroom Hunting in Salida, Colorado
Chaffee County and Salida are home to some of the most beautiful mountains and forests in Colorado. The diversity of the area–including wooded plains, meadows, rivers and streams–makes this a great landscape for mushroom foraging.
Salida Mushroom Varieties
While weather often dictates which types of mushrooms grow in which years, these are the varieties that you’re likely to find in the mountains around Salida and Chaffee County–including the Sangre De Cristo Range that head down into the San Luis Valley.
Porcini (King Bolete):
These mushrooms have a symbiotic relationship with coniferous trees, so the evergreen forests in Colorado and around Salida are perfect for them. Look for porcinis around spruce and fir trees. These beautiful mushrooms have a classic look–you might expect to see a friendly garden gnome sitting on one!
Porcini mushrooms often flourish in wet, hot summers, and are most prolific between mid-July and mid-September. Look for them around elevations of 10,500 and 11,200 ft. They are delicious and known for their rich flavor, making them a favorite of mushroom hunters.
Chanterelles:
Hunters love chanterelles–their vibrant yellow color makes them easier to spot. Chanterelles grow around conifers, like porcinis, but they prefer their habitat to be even more wet. Look for them around streams and other drainages.
These beautiful mushrooms have a folded, wrinkled appearance and a fruity aroma. They grow in groups, so if you find one chantrelle, you’ll probably find more clustered nearby. Look for this intoxicating mushroom above 10,500 feet.
Hawk’s Wing:
This mushroom gets its name from its almost feather-like appearance. It truly looks like feathers on the wing of a hawk. While many mushroom foragers will pass these up, they are great for beginner hunters because they are easy to identify. They also don’t have a poisonous “look alike” like some of the other popular mushrooms. Some say they are bitter, but many hunters claim that you just need to know how to cook them properly to appreciate the flavor.
Morels:
These honeycomb-esque mushrooms are often found in the spring. Hunters often find them amongst cottonwood or aspen trees and in areas that have recently burned due to forest fire. These are some of the most classic mushrooms for hunting.
The morel looks a bit like coral found in the ocean and are often found between 8,000-10,000 feet. They are often described as meaty, earthy or nutty and are favorites in a wide variety of foods.
Popular Mushroom Hunting Spots in Chaffee County
While no forager is going to give away their favorite hunting grounds, these are some general areas to search for your shroom stash around Salida.
Monarch Pass: Creekside Chalets sits right in the middle of some prime mushroom hunting action up on Monarch Pass. We have high-altitude forests all around and many hunters find porcini and chanterelles in this area.
Rainbow Trail: The Rainbow Trail sits on the Sangre de Cristo side of the valley and has many different habitats. It’s a great place to look for a wide variety of mushrooms.
Aspen Ridge: North of Salida near Turret, Aspen Ridge is a great place for leaf peeping in the fall and morel mushroom hunting in the spring.
Stay Safe! Know your Mushrooms
The key to staying safe while mushroom hunting is knowledge-more than one novice has been fooled! Take your time and never, ever eat a mushroom unless you have carefully identified it. We all know that poisonous mushrooms are out there, and most edible varieties have toxic imposters, so a trusted guidebook can truly be a life saver. The Modern Forager has resources, guidebooks and tips for any level of experience.
If you’re passionate about mushroom foraging, check out the Colorado Mycological Society. You’ll find events around hunting, cooking and more.
Stay and Play at Creekside Chalets
Whether you’re hunting mushrooms or just a good time with friends and family, Creekside Chalets is your perfect home base. With a gorgeous location on Monarch Pass and a scenic creekside location surrounded by aspen trees, we know you’re going to love your stay. We hope to see you soon!