







Colorado Morels

Mushroom Hunters Guide

The smell of spring means the elusive morel mushroom is hiding in an area near you. There are various indicator species that can give you clues to whether the area you are searching is prime for morels or not. It’s important to realize Flora and Fungi play an integral role in the biodiversity of the Rocky Mountains. In this guide, you will find some tips and facts about finding morel mushrooms in Colorado.

Contrary to popular belief Colorado Morels DO exist. In this guide, you will find the ideal time to find morels, climate, elevation, indicator plants, areas to scan, dangerous look-alikes, tree identification, ideal soil temperatures, ethics of mushrooms hunting, and legalities.

Comparatively, the first year I learned about morels I headed into the woods looking for them. I put in a couple hundred hours of tramping around before I found my first one and when I found it, it was magical.

As I caught mushroom fever I infected others with my passion. Questions poured in from friends, family, and curious strangers from the internet. I realized I should to create a guide both for a reference to myself and help expedite the process for beginners and experienced hunters.

I created this comprehensive guide to serve as a reference and to aid others in finding the elusive morel. They are by far the tastiest mushroom I have ever had (Porcini is a close second).

So on that note, welcome! This is the first step to finding the mystical mushroom. They don’t call it mushroom HUNTING just for shits and giggles. In Colorado, you literally have to go on an intentional quest (or just get lucky) to find Morchella. Please note, it’s just as important, if not more important to know what you’re NOT looking for.

To clarify, with a little bit of help this is a hobby that can be simple, enjoyable, delicious and addicting. Lest ye forget, “there are old mushroom hunters, and there are bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters.”

Certainly, remember, always, ALWAYS, always consult the advice and experience of a mycologist or mushroom group prior to eating any wild mushroom. Never, under ANY circumstances eat wild mushroom unless you are 110% certain what it is. Your life depends on it.

With this in mind, don’t take the FUN out of FUNGI by eating mushrooms that you’re not sure of. If, and only if you are 110% sure of the species, it’s a good idea to make note of the mushroom you are going to consume, cook a small portion and eat a small amount (a bite smaller than a teaspoon). Wait 24 hours, and see how you feel. If you’re not careful you can mess up your GI track or even worse, die. Don’t get a Darwin Award.

Facts of Colorado Morels

1. Season for Colorado Morels:

Blonde Morel (MorchellaEsculentoids) Late April to Early May

Black Morel (Morchella Brunnuea) Late May to Late June

2. Elevation for finding Colorado Morels:

Late April start at ~4,500′ (start in riparian areas or a space situated on the banks of a river, or stream preferably surrounded by Aspen and Cottonwood Trees). Morels typically start fruiting on the southern face of an area, this is because the soil temperatures in this area start warming up first.

After June 1, 2018, start at ~7500′ in elevation (especially with Oak and Pine Trees)

*Hint: wait for a few days of rain and then check your spots a few days later. Typically near pine trees (late spring).

3. If flowering Oregon Grape is on the ground you can be assured that yellow and black morels are around (see image below)

4. If Aspen leaves are the size of a quarter, prepare to become a mushroom hoarder

5. If soil temperatures are between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, get down on your knees by Cottonwood trees

6. In general, when daytime temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures are at a steady 40 degrees Fahrenheit

7. For example, trees to look for: Apple, Ash, Aspen, Cottonwood, Elm, Oak, and Pine (see image below)

8. To clarify, they prefer disturbed ground, often appearing in areas that have experienced a fire (see fire map below)

9.To put it another way: if lilacs are in bloom go look for the Morel mushroom

10. Indeed, disturbed ground e.g. trails, wildlife walkways, are a great place to look. Mycelia, the vegetative part of a fungus, which consists of a network of fine white filaments (hyphae) produce mushrooms in response to environmental stress. Morels are often found in and around forest edges, along rivers, and burn areas.

11. In fact, soil composition is another thing to consider. Loamy soil is ideal. Loamy soil means a mixture of clay, sand, and decaying organic matter.

12. Chiefly, don’t forget mushroom etiquette: don’t ask someone specifically where to find morels, find your own spot it is a part of the fun! Ask other hunters elevation, slope, and surrounding flora. It’s a good rule of thumb to remember to share information but limit it to the aforementioned. Anything more specific than that (ignore GPS coordinates, you fool!) and you can kiss your precious honey hole goodbye.

13. By and large, you should invest in a basket, or mesh bag for hunting. Not only does this prevent your mushrooms from sweating and turning to mush, but it helps to disperse spores (aka mushroom “seeds”) and ensures they cultivate.

14. Help support my work

Colorado Mushroom Apparel

, I’m currently selling Colorado Morel t-shirts. These are a limited edition, one of a kind t-shirt. Only 9 more remain for the 2018 year. I hope you all enjoy.

Ethics of Mushroom Foraging

Another key point to remember is that there are ethics of mushroom hunting. If you’re not sure what you’re picking, only collect a few specimens, there is no point in collecting buckets of unknown mushrooms only to find out they’re inedible and thrown away.

As a rule of thumb (and to be ethically responsible), leave ten to thirty percent of the mushroom species that you find. This ensures that the spores will get dispersed and maximizes the potential for future fruiting.

Under those circumstances, pick up a field guide and try to identify as much about the mushroom yourself. If you’d like help, take multiple pictures from multiple angles (include entire species, cap, stem, and surrounding area.

Write down or take note of the type of area in which your specimen was collected, take note of the trees nearby, and collect only a few whole mushrooms.

Share this information with a mycology group, and they may be able to help you identify what you’ve found. Doing this initial legwork helps out the community, and makes you look like you’re genuinely passionate and interested in the world of mushrooms.

Generally speaking, in the mushroom world, there is a heated debate as to which harvesting method is best (cutting or pulling), and the truth is, there isn’t one.

Colorado Parks Rules and Regulations on Mushroom Foraging

Always make sure to see what permits and licenses you may need to hunt in certain areas. There are different regulations, policies, and law depending on whether you are hunting in a National Park, State Park, or private property.

Each park and area have different rules and regulations, they vary all the time, so it’s vital to do the research ahead of time. Some fines are expensive, and to be honest it can ruin a good day. The U.S. Forest Service is a great place to start.

Recommended Resources for Hunting Colorado Morels:

Current and Past Colorado Wildfires (updated April 2018)

2018 Map of Morel Findings

This article is also very helpful.



source: The Great Morel

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