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Licorice ferns

Ferns and mosses on talus slope

Wind-contorted fir tree

A type of shelf fungus

Two varieties of fungi

Bigleaf maple

An unidentified fungus

Various species of moss grow abundantly in our forests. Trying to identify these species is beyond the interest level of most hikers. It’s worth pointing out, however, that the old adage about moss growing only on the north side of a tree does not work around here. If you get lost and try to navigate by this old trick, you’ll be in big trouble because in this wet environment moss grows on all sides of the trees.

Mushrooms and fungi are an area of special interest for many Northwest hikers. Our forests feature several dozen varieties growing out of the ground, out of old stumps, and even out of living trees. Many species are edible, and collecting mushrooms is a fun activity. Do not, however, eat any mushrooms unless you are experienced and completely confident in your ability to identify the various species. There are several poisonous types in our area, and every year people get sick, and some even die, from eating the wrong mushrooms.