I loves me some huckleberries.
If you aren’t familiar with huckleberries – and chances are, unless you live in the Pacific Northwest you’ve never even seem them – you are missing out on some seriously good stuff. Huckleberries resemble blueberries but are smaller in size and a bit sweeter. They only grow in very specific climate zones at higher elevations in acidic mountain soil, and are impossible to cultivate or farm. Each berry must be picked by hand. This probably explains why they’re hard to find other than in a few local farmer’s markets, and command prices of $15-$20 a pint.
They are amazingly delicious, though. And picking them is an adventure in itself. You get to drive up into the mountains, traipse through the forest, and have a grand ol’ time communing with nature. Which is why I headed out Tuesday morning for a drive into the Indian Heaven Wilderness, one of my favorite hiking spots in southwest Washington and a place – conveniently enough – renowned for its bounty of huckleberries that ripen right around this time every year. I got there about 10:45, and the weather was absolutely perfect: sunshine, blue skies, and a cool breeze blowing through the trees that carried with it a not-so-subtle reminder that autumn is about to land with a thud. Right off the bat, I found plenty of wild huckleberries growing all along the trail, and I spent three hours gathering as many as I could. There’s a certain method to picking them: a one-handed maneuver in which you pluck each berry between your index finger and thumb and scoop it into the palm of your hand. I would pick ten or so and then deposit them into the ziploc bag clutched in my left hand. More often than not, I was balanced precariously on a log or a hillside and being dive-bombed by mosquitoes and biting flies during the process. Like I said, huckleberries take a lot of work! But what a sweet reward. I’d estimate I ended up with $50 worth based on their market value, but I’m not selling these babies. At one point a group of hikers passed me and asked what I was picking. When I told them, they wondered what I’d do with the huckleberries. “They make excellent jam,” I explained, “And are really good in pancakes and muffins.”
When I last picked them in 2009, I made a big batch of homemade jam, which has since dwindled to two small mason jars. I figured it was time to make some more, and also enjoy the aforementioned pancakes and muffins, provided I have enough left over. I should…we’ll see.
Betty Crocker, eat your heart out.
I should also mention that black bears love huckleberries. Based on my fear that I will one day be eaten by a bear, I was a bit apprehensive while picking the berries. OK, “jumpy” is a more accurate word. I kept imagining I heard phantom growling, so I’d stop what I was doing and listen carefully, but it was always just the breeze blowing through the treetops. Whew. I’m always happy to survive a bear-encounter-that-wasn’t.
(By the way, I stopped in Big 5 Sporting Goods the other day and inquired about bear spray. They had some on hand, but it was a very elaborate “Bear Attack Defense System” consisting of a can the size of a fire hydrant that required a great deal of finesse in releasing the safety. I figured I’d be halfway digested before I was even able to point the nozzle in the bear’s direction, so I passed).
After picking huckleberries, I embarked upon a 2.5-hour hike up a very steep series of trails to a gorgeous alpine meadow teeming with lakes, wildflowers, and clusters of fir trees, interspersed with gorgeous scenery that included stunning views of two nearby mountain peaks, St. Helens and Baker. All told, I covered about 11 miles yesterday, which explains the aching back and sore muscles today. I’ve been popping ibuprofen to deal with the pain, but I wish my girlfriend’s hands could work their magic instead.
Regardless, it was worth it!
Mark My Words 
Love that lake picture. So pretty! Thanks for the education on huckleberries 🙂
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You’re berry welcome.
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The best thing about these berries is to let them get good and ripe. Put them in your lunch box for school. Then come to classroom early and place on seats at desks. Stain clothing esp of that nasty Sarah Williams and go by houses that evening to hear mothers beat the crap outta kids for stains. Crap stains even more. Ah, to be 10 years old again.
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Quite the rapscallion when you were younger, weren’t you, Carl?
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I’ve never tasted huckleberries, so I appreciate your handy-dandy guide. But my question is: are the llamas for real or is that just the Pacific Northwest? Wild!
Kathy
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There are actually a lot of llamas out here in the PNW. My aunt even had a couple for awhile. No idea what they were doing in the forest, though!
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I don’t think I’ve ever tasted huckleberries, but if they taste anything like blueberries I know I would LOVE them!
I just about died laughing at the mention of the Bear Attack Defense System and….”I figured I’d be halfway digested before I was even able to point the nozzle in the bear’s direction, so I passed).”
Bwhahahahahahahaha! How funny!
GORGEOUS photos, Mark! What an amazing State you live in.
LOVE the photo of the llamas! To me, llamas have the sweetest face!
Thanks for sharing your day with us, bud! Enjoyed!
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I’ve heard alpacas are friendlier than llamas. I like them both. And yes, Ron, you’d love huckleberries. They’re even better than blueberries! They’d better be, for all that effort…
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Still can’t believe that huckleberry picture was taken with your phone. Love it.
Glad you had a great time, and didn’t get eaten by a bear. Can’t wait for us to go on another hike together!
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I used to enjoy hiking by myself…now that I’ve been out with you, it’s just not the same anymore! We’ll go to Indian Heaven together. We’ll pick huckleberries. We won’t get eaten by a bear. And we’ll hang out by that lake……
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Gorgeous photos! Wished Joe and I had taken a day when we were out west to go hiking. Even the drive from Portland to Seattle was beautiful, so many forests and lakes along the way. Am I allowed to feel homesick even though Portland’s not my home?
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Of course, Jess! Portland is an open and welcoming city. We’ll gladly consider you an honorary resident. 🙂
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That has made me miss hiking. Wow. Gorgeous photos.
Can’t say as I’ve ever had a huckleberry.
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I’m not surprised. But have you tried geoduck?
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Sounds like a sweet hike! I absolutely love this pics, and am a bit jealous. I’d like to try some huckleberries someday. I suppose I’ll have to stick to blueberries instead though!
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Unless you happen to visit the Pacific Northwest around this time of year!
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All I can say is WOW! The scenery is beyond beautiful. I love that our state has so much beauty in it and I appreciate the fact that you show pictures so I don’t have to go myself. Sorry Mark, I’m not much of a hiker so the more pictures you show, the more I get to live vicariously through you. That’s just how it is!
(I’m still laughing at Carl’s comment…)
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Well, I was going to suggest we all go for a nice, long hike up near Mount Rainier when I’m visiting next month, Tracy – but I guess Tara and I will just stick with the concerts. Oh, well!!
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Well jeeze, don’t sound so bummed. I wouldn’t be opposed to driving up there and hiking a bit. You and Tara can just hike more.
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When I first started reading… the ‘I’m your huckleberry’ line in ‘Tombstone’ came to mind. I wonder if Doc Holliday ever ate them. Hmm.
I never did. We’re in blueberry country here in NJ. When those delicious berries are ripe for picking we head to the fields. It’s a beautiful thing. And not nearly as expensive.
‘phantom growling’ hehe
~visiting from Vent and Ron’s photo post.
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I’ve never seen Tombstone (!) but “I’m your huckleberry” was a popular turn-of-the-century phrase, apparently. (Turn of the 20th century, not the 21st, of course). Who knew?
Most of my family is from NJ (Trenton area) and I’ve spent many a summer there. Love the Jersey blueberries!
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be sure to return the favor. 🙂
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Ohhhhhh…..YUM!!!!
k.
Now there’s a problem. Cuz I was GONNA tell you what a fabulous photo you had up at Ron’s..and then I land here, read about the berries, SEE where you trek and spy the LLAMAS!! OMG…..you have LLAMAS! I thought we were strange for having llamas but NOW I feel less strange? Or maybe like I found another stranger? Or maybe that it’s nice not to be strange alone!! Yeah, that’s it!!
Now–I’m not so keen on the bear deal. I’m thinkin’ THAT I could pass on, but the berries and the llamas and the VIEW–YUM, cool (!!) and whoa.
🙂
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Where do you live, Mel? We actually have quite a few llamas and alpacas here in the Pacific Northwest. I have no idea why, but as you can see in the photo…clearly they DO exist out here!
And yes, I can definitely have a strange side! LOL. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I’ll visit your blog, too.
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I came to tell you how impressive your sunset photo is over at Ron’s place and I am greeted by more wonderful photos
love the trees reflected in the water
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Thanks, Dianne! I’m somewhat of a shutterbug…can you tell? LOL. In all fairness, the beautiful weather helped those photos turn out so well.
I appreciate you visiting and commenting!
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Hi,
I love your site.
Thanks.
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