Mushroom Weekend at Meany Lodge Sat 10/12- Sun 10/13/2019

Please note: this event occurred in Oct 2019.  Mushroom weekend 2020 has been cancelled due to COIVD-19.

This lodge stay includes Saturday through Sunday accommodations and full access to Meany Lodge, as well as guides for mushroom foraging in the woods near Meany. 

Join The Mountaineers and Puget Sound Mycological Society, along with our guest speaker Tristan Woodsmith at Meany Lodge for the annual Mushroom Weekend. It is the perfect place to learn about foraging in the northwest and using mushrooms in both in food and non-food ways. You will experience various mushrooms served in a variety of entrees, and meet others who enjoy mushrooms as much as you do!

Meeting time and meeting  place for Saturday arrivals:

Saturday arrivals should be at the former Crystal Springs Campground by 9:30 am. From Exit 62, the campground is about 1/4 mile south, on the way to Meany Lodge. There you will join a mushroom guide, in groups of 8-12 per guide. You'll drive/carpool to likely mushroom habitat, and go to the lodge by about 3:00 pm. 

All participants will receive a mushroom kit on Saturday of the weekend that will include everything you need for a delicious mushroom meal at home. Books and waterproof mushroom identification keys will be available for purchase.

View full program for the weekend or see the delicious Mushroom weekend menu.

RELATED WEEKEND EVENTS

• Mushroom hunting and identification
• Mushroom-based feasts for meals

INCLUDED WITH YOUR SATURDAY LODGE STAY

• Food: Saturday afternoon appetizers and dinner, Sunday breakfast & lunch- Please bring your own lunch for Saturday if you are arriving Saturday morning.  You will go straight into foraging and there won't be time for you to assemble a lunch at Meany.
• Accommodations: A cozy bunk in one of our four dormitory rooms, or bring a tent to camp out on the grounds.

MUSHROOM COLLECTION PACKING NEEDS

• Basket, box, or large paper bags to carry your treasures AND small WAX PAPER sandwich bags for individual small collection mushrooms.
• Thermos filled with warm liquid (full weekend guests can fill the thermos at Meany).
• Hand warmers, rubber gloves (to keep hands dry), and mittens
• Warm clothing and rain gear
• Wear a bright color because it's hunting season and you want to be seen!
• A knife for cutting mushrooms.
• A whistle (A MUST) - Used if you get lost or lose your group.
• Footwear suitable for wet conditions.

MEANY LODGE PACKING NEEDS

A Northwest Forest pass is required for all vehicles on forest service land. You can purchase them at most sporting goods stores, a ranger station, or at our Seattle Program Center.

First-time Meany visitors are encouraged to check out the Lodge's Guest Information page, but here is a minimum list of items for an overnight stay at Meany:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Towel and toiletries
• Lodge shoes (ie slippers)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Change of clothing

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO MEANY LODGE, SUMMER AND FALL

Yes, we know the below is an 16 step guide on how to get to Meany! This is mostly informational; there are only 3 function turns marked in bold when the road is snow-free.

• Drive east on I-90 and get off at Exit 62 ("Stampede Pass / Lake Kachess")
• At the top of the exit ramp, set your odometer to 0 miles and turn right onto FR 54 (road to Stampede Pass)
• At 0.47 miles cross Yakima River.
• At 1.1 miles Pass under a power line.
• At 1.32 miles cross John Wayne Trail, a rail trail with access barriers.
• 58 miles bear left onto unmarked narrow road that descends from FR 54 and is flanked by tall trees. This is FR 420, called "Martin Spur" on USFS's on-line map.
• 44 miles enter huge power line clearing
• 55 miles; still in power line clearing Cross Stampede Creek and immediately take the second right turn. Road starts ascending.
• 95 miles reach a power line on the right and soon thereafter make a sharp U-turn to the right. Ascent gets steep, then road levels out next to BNSF railroad tracks.
• 2 miles turn left at primitive grade crossing (STOP sign). Watch and listen for trains, which can come around the blind curve to the right (northwest) without warning. Cross tracks, turn right, and ascend steep, narrow "driveway" in woods to the lodge.
• 4 miles Reach Meany Lodge. Park anywhere there is room.