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Volunteer Appreciation 2025: Mushroom Walk at Acorn Trail

Day Work Party

Fri Nov 7, 2025: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

Puget Sound and Islands — Bellingham Area

Features: Bring your family!, Special Event

Crew Leader: Mike Bellis

Mike Bellis and mushroom crew. Photo by Kesia Lee.

Overview

Volunteers and members, thank you for another amazing year. This event is part of our Volunteer Appreciation Week. If you are a member or you’ve ever volunteered with WTA (or would like to), this event is for you!

Join the NW WTA crew on a tour of the Acorn Trail project followed by a lesson in mushroom identification and foraging from our own mushroom enthusiast Mike Bellis!

About the Area

Blanchard Mountain is home to the iconic Oyster Dome trail, just south of Bellingham. Hikers climb through lush forest to reach the sheer cliffs of Oyster Dome and its unforgettable views of the San Juans, Skagit River flats, Olympic Mountains and Samish Bay. Many other hiking opportunities are available for every type of hiker!

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience necessary!

Project Description

We will be showcasing the work completed earlier in the year by our volunteer crews and learn about mushroom identification and foraging!

Hiking Information

Be prepared for a 1-3 mile round trip hike with potential for a 600 ft. elevation gain/loss over moderately steep terrain. Some off trail travel at your own pace will be necessary for finding mushrooms.

Schedule

  • 9:30 AM: Meet the crew, rain or shine. Gather for a safety briefing at meeting location.
  • 10:00 AM: Carpool up behind Acorn Gate and park at top of the road.
  • Morning: See the incredible work done by our volunteers! Learn the basics of mushroom ID!
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch in the woods!
  • Afternoon: Wander in the woods and look for mushrooms, gather back up to see what the crew collected! Identify and discuss!
  • 2:30 PM: Return to trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 4 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult

What to Wear

Recommended:

  • Sturdy closed-toe shoe
  • Long sleeved shirt
  • Long pants
  • Warm layers and rain coat/pants

What to Bring

  • A bag or basket (to collect mushrooms) and a pocket knife, mushroom identification books (all optional, but recommended)
  • Consider bringing your own hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes
  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • Thermos with warm drink
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed

More Information

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Partners

Directions

To get to the Blanchard Upper Trailhead, take I-5 to exit 240, Alger. Go northwest on Samish Lake Road for .5 miles. Turn left on Barrel Springs Road for .7 of a mile. Turn right on B-1000 Road signed Blanchard Forest Block. Go 1.5 miles to intersection with the B2000. Continue straight/right for .2 miles to the Upper Trailhead parking area on the right.

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Required Documentation

You must be part of this crew and have a My Backpack account to see the Crew Corner.

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Carpool

Find a ride, give a ride with people who also want to carpool.