Easy to Moderate, 4.51 mi out and back
817 ft elevation gain
Hiked 9/8/25
Beginning at the Heart O' The Woods CG, this mostly leisurely stroll among the old growth provides a nice diversity of plants and mushrooms to marvel at. Most of the elevation comes at the end, which may get muddy. If you get tired or too muddy, there is no real payoff so its OK to skip the end.
A massive exposed root structure from a fallen tree along the trail. A variety of green shrubs, ferns, mosses, and leaves may be seen surrounding on all sides.
Beads of moisture/slime pool along the underside of this mushroom in the Fomitopsis genus. This whole trip had surprisingly blue skies while in the rain forests, leading to a lot of mushrooms (and one hiker) sweating in the sun.
A collection of mushroom displays located in the visitors center to help identification. Going left to right, top to bottom, they read:
Cantharellus formosus Pacific Golden Chanterelle
One of the best-known wild mushrooms in North America, the chanterelle typically displays a cheerful bright orange color. Growing with western hemlock and other conifers, the pacific golden chanterelle was recently determined its own species uniquie to the Pacific Northwest, separate from the Cantarellus cibarius.
Stropharia ambigua Questionable Stropharia
Cottony, white veil remnants hang on the edge of the cap of the Stropharia ambigua. The surface of the cap appears slimy and moist, and it thrives in dark, cold places like rain forests or along streams.
Chlorophylum rachodes Shaggy Parasol
The species name comes from a Greek word for “ragged” or “tattered”. There have been sightings of several hundred of the shaggy parasol under a single tree.
Turbinellus floccosus Scaly Chanterelle
Find this vase shaped mushroom growing in conifer forests where it forms a mutually beneficial relationship with spruces, firs, and hemlocks. The mushroom helps the tree absorb water and nutrients while the tree provides sugars and amino acids.
Sparassis Cauliflower Mushroom
The wavy, ribbonlike lobes of the cauliflower mushroom is parasitic on the roots of trees, especially of Douglas-fir. In the Pacific Northwest, over 50-pound specimens have been found, though generally are around 1 to 5 pounds.
Amanita muscaria Fly Agaric
This brilliant red to orange mushroom with white spots is one of the most widely recognized mushrooms in America, often represented in pop culture, art, fashion, décor, video games, and television. The name “fly agaric” refers to the ancient practice of using the mushroom to stupefy flies.
Boletus zeleri Zeller’s Bolete
Showing off a red stem, blackish brown cap, yellow pores, and shades of blue when bruised, the Zeller’s is one of the most colorful boletes.
Morchella deliciosa Morel
The name Morchella deliciosa applies to more than one kind of morel, as they are especially complex to identify. Common in the Pacific Northwest, this mushroom fruits in spring and has a hollow interior.
Coprinopsis atramentaria Common Ink Cap
Inky caps grow in abundant clusters on decaying wood. The gills liquefy into a black ink that helps to spread the spores- sometimes in a matter of hours!
Cortinarius violaceus Violet Cort
Cortinarius is the largest genus of mushrooms in the world, with over a thousand estimated species. The deep color of the violet cort is unforgettable and is usually quite rare except for in old-growth forests (unreadable but I believe it said something about Olympic National Parks).
Lactarius deliciosa Saffron Milk Cap
Lactarius species are identified by a milky fluid that exudes from the mushroom when broken. Archaeologists discovered a 2,000-year-old Roman mosaic depicting this fungus that is common to pine and spruce forests.
Geastrum saccatum Rounded Earthstar
The rounded earthstar uses its “arms” to anchor itself to the soil where it decomposes decaying wood. Raindrops hitting the puffball help disperse its spores.