October-November represents the absolute peak for mushroom diversity and abundance in Pacific Northwest forests. Look for chanterelles (golden trumpets returning to the same spots annually), matsutake still fruiting in its October peak window, hedgehog mushrooms beginning their season, cauliflower mushrooms (rare finds at Douglas fir bases), king boletes, and the toxic-but-beautiful amanitas now dotting the forest floor with their red-and-white fairy tale caps.