Recently a reader asked if I could post an article about huckleberries in northern Washington. I did some searching and found the following article by Dea on her Live.Eat.Travel blog and found some information on huckleberries in the Pacific Northwest.
Here are some excerpt from the article (NOTE: Her article is over 4 years old, but picking huckleberries does not change!)
The berries are ripe somewhere between late August and late September based on the year. Ask your local gardener if this was a late year or an early year for all plants. That should give you a good indication of what is happening with the berries. You will need find your own patch. Click here for the Washington Trails Association’s hints to what to look for and a short list of hikes with huckleberries on them…
What to bring:
A hands free container
A larger container to fill up as the smaller container gets full. A 5 gallon bucket a good standby.
Long pants – no matter how warm it is. You will need the protection from the brush.
Sturdy shoes and thick socks
Non-Deet bug spray. There is nothing like a fly that won’t leave you alone that can ruin sitting in a patch of huge huckleberries on a beautiful day. If you use deet, expect to eat it later in your berries.
Hat – sunglasses make seeing the berries harder, so a hat is a good way to keep the sun out of your eyes.
Sunscreen – last time I went, I brought it but didn’t use it. I now have a farmers burn/tan.
Water – by the gallon. You will want to wash off your hands when you are done and you will need a lot of water to get this done efficiently. It is also good for drinking.
Toilet paper, just in case…
Gallon freezer bags – to help store the berries after you are done. This will also help you estimate how much you have picked.
Multiple layers of tops – you never know if it is going to be sweltering hot in the sun or cold from the clouds and the breeze. It is also a good idea to bring something in case of rain.
Food – lunch and snacks for the way down.
And finally, a sense of adventure and a desire to get some yummy berries.
Vaccinium deliciosum
Identifying the Berries:
There are actually over 5 berries commonly named Huckleberries. It is also important to distinguish between Mountain Huckleberries and Red Huckleberries. Red Huckleberries are the type that you will see in low level forests and in backyards. These are an entirely different species of plant and taste very different…
Vaccinium Membranaceum
From my experience, most Mountain Huckleberries in the Washington mountains fall into three basic categories: blue, black with a reddish hue to them and then just plain black…
Typically, my least favorite kind are the blue ones. They taste more like blueberries and are more bland…
Happy picking (in the late summer) to huckleberry lovers near the coastal Pacific Northwest!
