Trail Cooking

The Good Berries:

Blueberry: From domestic bushes to wild plants up high in alpine - they and Huckleberries are some of the best picking to be found.

Huckleberry: One of the best reasons to hike in late summer/early fall.

Blackberry: While one can find invasive blackberries nearly everywhere the true find is the wild native versions. The Pacific Blackberry is sublime.

Thimbleberry: Commonly found in the PNW and many regions of the US/Canada. They often line trails in the woods as one heads up to subalpine. The berries tend to mush up and can be seedy - still they are good eats!

Wild Raspberry: You see them, get picking! These are heaven indeed.

Salmon Berry: They thrive in damp forests and near streams. Their color ranges from pale orange to near red.

Cranberry: Sour and very good.

Wild Strawberries: Eat one and you will wonder why you ever ate farm raised.

Gooseberries: It wasn't till seeing them that I found out there was a red gooseberry. I had only seen the green variety before.

The Somewhat Ok Berries:

Oregon Grape: Found up the coastal strip from BC to California and in the lower woods, the plant is prolific. While they are edible, in all honesty I don't eat them. They are very sour. Let the birds have them! On a side note, those pregnant or nursing should avoid them - I would suggest as well not letting children eat them. (Most kids wouldn't want them anyways)

Elderberries: While most of the berries are edible do your studying up on them. The plants are not edible and some of the seeds are toxic. Be very careful here. Pick with a partner who knows what they are talking about.

The Don't Touch Berries!

Bearberry: While it is somewhat safe in small amounts (and yes, bears love them), they can be very toxic! As always: don't eat ANY if pregnant, nursing and keep away from kids.

Snowberry: It looks like yogurt covered raisins. Do NOT eat!

Chokecherry: Only eat if commercially cultivated. Avoid wild plants!

Climbing Nightshade: Very, very dangerous! A great blog entry with gorgeous photos of it.