From A Missed Trailhead To A Mushroom Scavenger Hunt In Stephenson, Washington – Must Hike Must Eat

When is a missed flip for a trailhead not a missed alternative however a incredible flip of occasions?

Final October, Elizabeth and I had plans to go to Siouxon Creek for a hike exterior Yacolt, Washington close to Mount St. Helens and had been so busy chatting, we missed the flip to the trailhead. Although we’ve been right here a number of instances earlier than!

We drove proper by the left-hand flip onto FR 57/FS 5700 and continued on FR 54/FS 5400. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than we realized our mistake however after debating if we’d flip round, Elizabeth determined she had all the time wished to see the place this street would find yourself so we simply stored driving.

The street wasn’t in horrible form (in comparison with the start of FR 54) and we had been quickly crossing over and alongside Puny Creek. We parked the truck in a roadside campsite and walked onto the bridge to benefit from the view.

Puny Creek

Strolling up the street a bit in direction of the falls we might see off within the distance, I might see there was a path that went right down to the water’s degree.

It was the right autumn scene with contrasting crimson and inexperienced and the clear cascade of water chopping between the valley partitions.

A bit additional up, it was attainable to stroll down beneath one other bridge.

It was apparent this was a preferred swimming gap in hotter temperatures.

And a beloved one had presumably misplaced their younger life right here.

After some time, we had been again on the forest street and heading east/southeast.

In one other hour and a half, Forest Street 54 did, in truth, get us all the way in which to Wind River and Carson, Washington. A fast flip west on SR 14 and we had been headed in direction of Stephenson.

It was about 1pm after we rolled into city so we headed in direction of Strolling Man Brewery for lunch. To our shock, there was this massive poster on the facet of the constructing:

Say what?? The Stephenson Mushroom Pageant??

That was this weekend, seems to be like our little missed trailhead was additionally going to result in a enjoyable day of fungi goodness!

We ordered lunch, all the time some good decisions.

I added some roasted hen to the blended greens salad.

I clicked on the QR code to study extra concerning the mushroom pageant.

I used to be unhappy to see the tickets had been offered out, somebody later talked about that they had wholly underestimated how widespread their debut occasion can be.

Undeterred, after lunch we started a stroll round city to take a look at the festivities.

Traverse PNW Market was the “hub” with tables arrange with crafts on the porch above Strolling Man and so many mushroom themed objects on the market inside.

Right here is only a fraction of what they needed to provide:

After perusing the wares, we walked right down to the waterfront and path alongside the Columbia River. If you happen to haven’t stopped right here earlier than, I discuss a extra about it in A Ladies Mountain climbing Weekend Getaway On The Columbia River Gorge.

The timber had been simply beginning to flip colours and the river was glassy clean.

Though I’ve visited Stephenson a number of instances, this was my first time stroll across the a number of streets of its downtown space. Who knew there have been so many cute outlets? This was on the native bookshop, North Financial institution Books.

We made a rapid cease in Out And About, a outside retail store. Not a variety of mushroom objects right here, largely greater finish out of doors clothes.

However I did get some concepts for future knitting tasks. Most likely Pendleton…

Shut by was Out On A Limb, a clothes and housewares retailer which had loads of mushroomy objects for the house.

And extra knitting inspiration.

All in all, we didn’t get many miles on path however we did get our steps in for certain. I’ll have even picked up a pair issues on the native thrift retailer (Riverside Resale).

The Stephenson Mushroom Pageant and scavenger hunt is earlier this 12 months. The truth is it’s this upcoming weekend, September 26-28, 2025. You’ll find out extra at their web site right here:

Stephenson Mushroom Pageant

As of proper now, there are nonetheless tickets accessible. In case you are into mushrooms or this simply seems to be like a enjoyable weekend jaunt, I encourage you to test it out for your self. The gala is 21+ however all the things else is enjoyable for the entire household!