Finding Oyster Mushrooms

Sometimes it seems like you can't get away from them. We do happen to have a few specific places we like to frequent. Firstly, before that, almost anywhere in the Summit Lake area is bountiful and I've even seen them lining the highway 167, on the north side, with more being closer to Renton. I've also seen them all over the Snoqualmie River area, mostly along the middle fork and the Taylor River areas. Primarily, though, I like to go walking the trails at Tolmie State Park, you almost can't go wrong there. You'll find that park at exit 111 off of I-5, the upper Lacey exit right before the Nisqually River on the northbound lanes. Go west off the exit (either exit actually) until you get to the end of the road, then turn right (heading north) ,following the signs from that point on. I'll just walk the Twin Creeks cutoff trail to the Four Cedars trail and circle clockwise along it. The better Oysters are farther inland from the trail. But there's plenty just on the trail or four steps away. Another good spot to forage are the trails at the back parking lot at Western Washington University. Go to the very back parking lost, or really any of the trails around there should prove useful, but I like the trails around the very back parking lot. Another, more secluded spot, is off of Turkey Road in the Summit lake area. Take the eastern most Summit Lake exit, heading about two miles until the first Turkey Lake Road to the right and follow that about two miles to Turkey road, which would be to the right, as well, as the lake is to your left. Go up Turkey to the second major corner, this one will be going left on the uphill, and there's a small little driveway that goes around a tree and with no house, it's on the right hand side and park right there but don't block the road. Head straight uphill and we've gotten garbage bags full. Spring Lake in Kent is another good spot.