Welcome
to some of the best berry-picking country in the Pacific Northwest!
The following
information is meant to increase your enjoyment and appreciation of
huckleberry fields on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Please take
a moment to
learn about the rules, history, and culture of berry picking. It will
make your outing more enjoyable.
The Huckleberry
Twelve species of huckleberries
grow in Washington and Oregon. They are often grouped into plants
producing red or blue berries, and plants that produce berries in
clusters or individually on the twig.
The most sought-after
huckleberry is the thin-leaved huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)
This species is renowned for its large, sweet, purple berries, occurring
singly on the plant. The peak season for picking huckleberries occurs
between mid-August to mid-September.
The map on the reverse side provides you with a general idea of
the location of major berry fields on the Forest. You'll likely
find some huckleberries growing in other locations in the Forest
also.
The map also indicates an Indian berry-picking area. This area was
reserved in 1932 for use by Indians.
Harvest Regulations
Update Summer
2008: Changes
in Washington law regarding the sale of Wild Huckleberries (Adobe
Acrobat PDF format - 25 kb)
Each harvester is allowed
three gallons of huckleberries free of charge per year. If larger
quantities are wanted, or if you plan to sell your berries or berry
products (jams, ice cream, fruit-leather or other commercial items),
a Special Forest Products Permit is required and available at your
local Ranger District or Monument Headquarters.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest
does not start issuing commercial huckleberry permits until mid-August.
Mechanical removal of berries is not allowed. (Rakes or other brush
disturbing devices.)
Harvesting of berries is allowed on the majority of lands on the
Forest. Areas closed to harvest include Wilderness, Research Natural
Areas, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Mineral
Block. Detailed maps are available at your local Ranger Districts.
Please respect lands reserved as American Indian harvest areas.
History
For thousands of years, American Indians spent summer and fall high
in the mountains hunting, fishing, picking berries, and celebrating the
plentiful gifts of the land. Once every few years, they burned the berry
fields after harvest, to kill invading trees and to insure healthy fields
the following year. The Indians in this area regarded the rituals of
picking, preserving, and eating berries as a cultural and traditional
use with religious significance.
An area in the Sawtooth Berry Fields was reserved in 1932 by a handshake
agreement between Yakama Indian Chief William Yallup and Gifford Pinchot
Forest Supervisor K. P. Cecil for use by Indians. By understanding the
historical significance of this area, we hope you pay close attention
to the signs indicating the areas reserved for use by the Indians. By
doing so, you are respecting the culture of another people.
Development of the Berry Fields
Thousands of years ago, uncontrolled wildfires created openings in the
vast forest. Huckleberries prospered in the sunlight caused by these
natural openings. For countless years, repeated fires caused by lightning
or set by Indians killed the invading trees and brush. But the forest
is constantly trying to reclaim its lost territory. If it were not for
fire, the berry fields of today would have long since been reclaimed
by the forest. Today, scientists are trying to determine the best method
of maintaining the huckleberries as a valuable forest resource.
Safety First
- Be safety minded; think before doing.
- Carry a light "survival kit" with matches, flashlight,
map, compass, whistle, and first-aid kit.
- Inform someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
Make sure your vehicle is in good running condition and take along
sufficient gasoline for the trip.
- Obey Forest regulations. They are designed for your benefit.
- Be careful with fire.
- Drive carefully. Forest roads are often narrow, winding, and
congested.
Questions and Answers
Where can I find the sweetest berries?
- Everyone has their own idea on the best way to find sweet berries.
Many people believe berries grown in the shade are the sweetest.
However, based on an experiment in 1974, two scientists concluded
that berry sweetness was not significantly affected by shade.
What causes some years to be better than others for berry crops?
- Apparently, short-term weather patterns are more important than
soil, topography, and climate in creating high and low quality
berry crops. To a large extent the depth and duration of the previous
winter snow pack, the occurrence of killing frosts, and such unpredictable
events as hailstorms often determine the quality of a particular
year's crop.
Are camping facilities available in the area?
- Over 57 campgrounds and 12 picnic areas are maintained by the
Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Forest Recreation Map details
the location of these campgrounds. Three campgrounds - Cold Springs,
Suprise Lakes, and Meadow Creek - are traditionally used by Indians
in late summer and fall.
How can I tell when they're ripe?
- The berries are plump, deep purple, and sweet to the taste.
When is the best time to pick?
- That varies by year. Generally, middle to late August is the
best time.
Forest
Huckleberry brochure (Adobe Acrobat PDF format - 1743 kb) |