Meany Lodge Mushroom page

Mushroom weekend at Meany

Sorry, Mushroom weekend is SOLD OUT. Email the Meany webmaster to inquire about last minute cancellations.

Meany Lodge and the Puget Sound Mycological Society proudly and with great anticipation, present the annual Meany Mushroom Weekend. This event is open to both Mountaineer members and non-members at the same GREAT price. Remember it sells out quickly, so sign up ASAP at

Mushroom signup.

We offer two ways you can experience this culinary event:

Option 1

Friday night October 28^th through Sunday afternoon October 30^th.
Cost is $125.
Sign up Limit 40.

Arrive at Meany prior to 7 PM on Friday night to stake out your sleeping accomodations. After that is accomplished, come and gather on the main floor for some mushroom hors d'oeuvre tasting, followed by a Mushroom identification seminar, during which, yoou will receive a Mushroom Identification Field Guide and CD of mushrooms examples, some of which you may find the next day. This year the seminar will led by Jerry Stein and assisted by Larry Baxter and Cathy Lennebacker. The evening will end with the famous Meany dessert buffet.

Get up Saturday morning to a great Meany breakfast. After you get your day gear ready, come back to the main floor where the Meany Chefs will have "fixens" layed out for you to pack a sack lunch. Then head out for a day of mushroom hunting with our team of expert guides. Plan on coming back to Meany around 3 PM.

Option 2

Saturday morning October 29^th, through Sunday afternoon October 30^th
Cost is $95
sign up limit 30.

Gather at Crystal Springs campground on Saturday, around 9:30 AM. Note: Campground is closed, so you will need to park by the side of the road. Meet and talk to the guides. Then break into collecting groups, and go scavange mushrooms. Please do remember to pack something for lunch and to drink. Plan on coming to Meany around 3 PM.

As both groups begin to gather back at Meany, we will have a sorting/display tables set up to let all appreciate the aquired treasures of the forest - nope, you can't horde !!!

While the mushrooms are being sorted, your taste buds will be tempted by a hot mulled punch, canapés, and mushroom hors d'oeuvres. This will be followed by a sumptuous gourmet dinner and dessert.

A featured speaker (bio and picture below) will present the Saturday evening program.

Sunday we'll enjoy another fantastic Meany breakfast, featuring locally grown mushrooms. After breakfast we will collect locally, review the display, have a seminars on "Don't eat the mushroom!" and a "mushroom preservation, preparation and cooking". Sit down to another famaus Meany mushroom based lunch before we head back to town.

Saturday Night Speaker

Denis Benjamin:
Dr. Benjamin grew up in South Africa and migrated to the Pacific Northwest in 1970. He became interested in mycology soon after his arrival in the United States and joined the Puget Sound Mycological Society (PSMS). He practiced pediatric pathology at children. hospitals in Seattle and Fort Worth, Texas, and has recently returned to the east slopes of the Cascades in Washington State to continue his passion for mushrooms, the outdoors, and natural history. He was a consultant to the regional poison control center, a former member of the Board of Trustees of PSMS, and a past chairman of the toxicology committee of the North American Mycological Association. He frequently speaks at mushroom forays and to clubs and societies. In addition to his nearly 100 professional publications, he also contributes to the lay literature and mushroom magazines.He was chosen as a community Op/Ed writer for the Fort Worth Star Telegram and is author of the landmark book Mushrooms: Poisons and Panaceas, on the health effects of mushrooms. He recently published a personal collection of mushroom foraging essays, Musings of a Mushroom Hunter: a Natural History of Foraging.

What one needs to bring:

For mushroom collecting
- A US Forest Service trail permit is required for all vehicles parking on forest land. You can purchased them at most sporting good stores (ie REI) or at an Forest Service Ranger Station
- Basket, box or large paper bags to carry your treasures AND small WAX_PAPER sandwich bags for individual small collection mushrooms
- Thermos filled with warm liquid (Those arriving Friday night can fill the thermos at Meany)
- Sack lunch (Those arriving Friday will make a sack lunch at the lodge on Saturday morning)
- Hand warmers, rubber gloves (to keep hands dry), mittens
- Warm clothing and rain gear
- A knife for cutting mushrooms
- A whistle (A MUST) - Used if you get lost or lose your group
- Footwear suitable for wet conditions
- Notebook
- Camera
First time Meany visitors are encouraged to check out the Lodge's Guest Information page, but here is a minumum list of items you should come with:
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Towel and toiletries
- Lodge shoes (ie slippers)
- Flashlight
- change of clothing
Everyone should review the mountaineers's recommended list of The 10 Outdoor Essentials

Driving directions, maps and GPS coordinates to Meany and Crystal Springs Campground

For additional information, please contact one of the leaders
Patti Polinsky or Jerry Stein

To register click mushroom weekend

To see what kind of recipes we use at the lodge during Mushroom weekend please click on Recipes then click on event meal icon.