Sapphic Spores

Slow down, look closer, and get to know the forest through its fungi.

Join hosts Brittany Marcotte and Liam Whitworth for a guided mushroom walk on Soapstone Lake Trail in Clatsop State Forest on Oregon's North Coast. Brittany is a field mycologist with 1,200+ research-grade fungi observations, and she's found some seriously cool mushies here before. She'll show us what's growing under the moss and around the stumps, how it all connects, and which edibles are safe to forage and take home.

No mushroom knowledge needed. Come solo or bring your crew. Not sure what to say to new people? Just point at a weird mushroom and you've got a conversation.

🍄 An Easy Wander
A slow, gentle stroll with lots of stopping, looking, and chatting. The full loop is 3.2 miles, but we’ll be lucky to cover one mile if the mushrooms are out (and they should be). This one is for anyone who wants forest magic without a hike.

What the trail is like
Soapstone is a mostly flat dirt trail through fall forest, with some gentle ups and downs. Expect mud, and at least one section of wooden beams set across the trail to control erosion, which you’ll step over or onto. Conditions change a lot with the rain. Want to see it before you commit? Photos are on the Oregon Hikers field guide: oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Soapstone_Lake_Loop_Hike

Where we meet
The Soapstone Lake trailhead parking area. There’s plenty of parking. Exact pin here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HYRc1TVeUquwTcaD6

Bring: closed-toe shoes with good grip (waterproof if you have them), rain layers, water, and a basket or paper bag if you’d like to take some mushrooms home

Good to know

• Soapstone is ODF-managed state forest land where collecting up to one gallon of edible mushrooms per vehicle is allowed without a permit. Brittany will help with identification, but please don’t eat anything unless an expert has confirmed it’s safe. Just cross your fingers we find a gallon’s worth!

• Light coastal rain is part of the experience. If the weather turns unsafe, we’ll reschedule and let you know.

• You must sign waiver before event. Fill out here and email to hi@lesbiancultureclub.com https://docs.google.com/document/d/14zpQgHlabM5LREy9G6-eP4j72E7eDXvyYciaBZ2bejQ/edit