February 13, 2010 (Saturday) 9:00 AM--1:00 PM

LAMS will be sponsoring a foray at the El Cariso "Big Woods" in the Cleveland National Forest to collect specimens for display at the  Los Angeles Mycological Society Wild Mushroom Fair.  The public is invited to participate.

Leader: Steven Pencall <fieldtrips(at)lamushrooms.org> (please replace (at) with "@")  For fastest response, please make sure the word "foray" appears in the subject line of your message.

Meeting place: parking area on the RIGHT (North) side of Long Canyon Road, approximately 500 feet West of Ortega Highway.  See directions and map below

Directions: From the San Diego Freeway, I-5, in San Juan Capistrano, drive EAST approximately 22.5 miles on Ortega Highway, State Route 74, and shortly after ascending a steep hill in a double switchback you will reach the paved and signed side road (Long Canyon Road) to Los Pinos Conservation Camp on your LEFT.  Note that in the Google® image in the link below the road is labeled "Main Divide Truck Trail", Forest Road 6S05 (It is the same road.) Turn LEFT, cross a small creek and park off the pavement in the parking area to the right approximately 500 feet west of the highway.

From I-15 in Lake Elsinore, (Central Street exit) drive WEST approximately 11 miles on State Route 74 and turn RIGHT on the paved and signed side road to Los Pinos Conservation Camp (Long Canyon Road). Note that in the Google® image in the link below the road is labeled "Main Divide Truck Trail", Forest Road 6S05 (It is the same road.)  Drive about 500 feet west, cross a small creek and park off the pavement in the parking area to the right.  NOTE: You will pass a Forest Service fire station and the El Cariso Oaks store (both on your left) before you reach the side road to Los Pinos Camp.

The primary purpose of the foray is to COLLECT MUSHROOMS FOR DISPLAY AT THE FAIR.  This includes edible species too!  If you are not going immediately to the fair location at the end of your foray, please give your specimens to the foray leader or someone he designates who will be taking them to the Fair.  The foray will be held RAIN OR SHINE!  If you have never gone mushroom hunting in the rain, I recommend it highly!  It is a character-building experience.

Activity rating: 1 (Easy)

General information for first time foray participants

Here is a map showing the general vicinity of the foray site.

Topo map: USGS Alberhill 7.5' quad--download here for free  (approximately 20 Mb TIF file--broadband recommended)

Please allow yourself enough time to reach the foray site--typically around 1.5 hours from either the Los Angeles or San Diego metro areas.

AS USUAL ON ALL FORAYS, BRING A LUNCH, WATER, AND WARM CLOTHING TO THE FORAY.

Photos of the turnoff to the foray meeting site.

 

Approach to Long Canyon Road intersection with Ortega Highway viewed from the northeast (coming from direction of Lake Elsinore). Click on thumbnail for larger image.

 

 

Long Canyon Road intersection with Ortega Highway viewed from the northeast (coming from direction of Lake Elsinore). Click on thumbnail for larger image.

 

 

Several persons have inquired if carpools are available for foray participants.  A LAMS carpool Yahoo Group page has been created to assist foray participants in joining or forming carpools.  However, it is up to potential foray participants to select appropriate carpool/rideshare partners.  LAMS will not attempt to match carpool/rideshare partners.  Please read the “group description” at the LAMS Carpool Yahoo Group page.  If interested in forming or joining a carpool you should click the “Join This Group!” button, fill out the information requested by Yahoo to join the group and then send a message to the group indicating your interest in carpooling.

IMPORTANT NOTES

#1. In accordance with LAMS policy, all foray participants, members or not, will be required to sign a liability release in order to participate in the foray.

#2. You will also need a forest parking permit called an "Adventure Pass" to park in the National Forest. "Adventure Passes" are available at National Forest ranger stations and at many sporting good stores, such as REI or Sport Chalet. One day permits are $5.00 and annual permits are $30.00. Parking passes are sometimes available at the small ranger station near where we will be meeting, however, it may not be open. Parking passes are usually for sale at the small general store in El Cariso Village just west of the ranger station.  If you are age 62 or over and have a "Golden Age Passport" you will NOT need an "Adventure Pass".

Additional "Adventure Pass" information is available at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/

#3 I also ask all members to refrain from collecting in the announced foray location in the 10 days prior to the foray on February 13. "Poaching" on announced foray sites before a group event diminishes the foray experience of many people for the benefit of a few (or one). This kind of activity has caused hard feelings in other mushroom clubs. LAMS has been remarkably free of this kind of divisive behavior. Let's not start now.

#4. Well-behaved dogs are OK, but must be on leash.