Berry Timing and Elevation

[kselkhunter]

Picked huckleberries in Alpine Lakes Wilderness this weekend during my scouting trip.  They were more ripe at higher elevations than lower.  The lower elevation berries were good color but a little tart, probably 1-2 weeks away from peak ripeness.  Hoping to find a bear eating some next weekend.

[Timberstalker]

Huckleberries are in full swing in the Blues. 5700' elevation. The berries are big, the crop is not.

[Okanagan]

New to this bear/berry game so I looked around in 572 today and learned I don't know much about berries. What I did find was there were no blackberries down low around 800 feet, but there was some around 1900 feet. The ones at 1900 feet appeared to be a small variety if that's such a thing. I did find fresh berry scat on the way back down. I also found what I believe is Oregon grape at 1500 feet.

The small variety you found at 1900 feet are almost certainly trailing blackberries, the species indigenous to the PNW.  They are TEN TIMES as good tasting as the big common blackberries found in the lowlands that take over vacant lots etc.  OK, maybe only four times as good.   Much smaller, slower to pick but fabulous.  We've had three pies made from them in the past two weeks plus put a bunch in the freezer.

[WAcoueshunter]

New to this bear/berry game so I looked around in 572 today and learned I don't know much about berries. What I did find was there were no blackberries down low around 800 feet, but there was some around 1900 feet. The ones at 1900 feet appeared to be a small variety if that's such a thing. I did find fresh berry scat on the way back down. I also found what I believe is Oregon grape at 1500 feet.

The small variety you found at 1900 feet are almost certainly trailing blackberries, the species indigenous to the PNW.  They are TEN TIMES as good tasting as the big common blackberries found in the lowlands that take over vacant lots etc.  OK, maybe only four times as good.   Much smaller, slower to pick but fabulous.  We've had three pies made from them in the past two weeks plus put a bunch in the freezer.

  I pick a lot of blue huckleberries and love them, but the native vine blackberries are the best berry anywhere IMHO.

[TriggerMike]

Anyone know if the blueberries are coming in up high in the Cascades yet? 5000'-5500' or so.

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[Kit Carson]

Anyone know if the blueberries are coming in up high in the Cascades yet? 5000'-5500' or so.

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They weren't ripe last weekend at that elevation off Mountain Loop Highway. I don't know a lot about berries but my guess was another week or two and they should be good.

[sumpnz]

Anyone know if the blueberries are coming in up high in the Cascades yet? 5000'-5500' or so.

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They weren't ripe last weekend at that elevation off Mountain Loop Highway. I don't know a lot about berries but my guess was another week or two and they should be good.

How long do they usually stay good?  A few days or a couple/three weeks?

[TriggerMike]

Looks like some rain in the forecast for Sunday and Monday. That should help the berries really pop up.

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[Moe the Sleaze]

Was at Stevens Pass last weekend, still too early for the huckleberries.  Some ripe blueberries down in the creek drainages.  I'm thinking 2 more weeks for the hucks.

[kselkhunter]

Well I'm heading back to the same spot this weekend that I posted up thread, to pick more huckleberries.  Hoping the other areas are ripe now.  Bringing the rifle and bear tag.