by Sheila Molloy
There are more than 300 species of fungi in ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Park. It is important to know it is illegal to remove any fungi found and there’s no need to go off trail to find an abundance.
Fungi are often inconspicuous, making them challenging and fun to find. It is a great family activity with everyone searching, heads down, as you walk the well-marked trails through meadows, woodlands, marshes and the last old growth forest on the Saanich Peninsula.
This park is a worthwhile destination for mushroom exploration any time of the year.
Route Details
Main access is from East Saanich Road. Head west on Dean Park Road, through the residential community and into the park.
We made our own scenic loop in search of a variety of fungi.
From the parking lot, head down the trail between the washroom and the park map kiosk. The steep hill eventually levels off as you reach the first junction. Go right and continue through the thick forest and Douglas fir trees, looking on all sides here for some spectacular fungi possibilities including russula brevipes, which are large but can be hidden.
Continue to the Skipper’s Path sign but go left onto a more direct route to the lily pond. The trail that meanders to the pond has several fallen trees which are great homes for older bracket fungus (fomitopsis pinicola).
At the next junction, you will head up the West Viewpoint Trail. At the four-way junction with Woodward Trail, go straight. When you reach a second junction, take the branch toward the West Viewpoint which will take you down into a shady area with tree fall that is another great place for finding bracket fungus. Head on up to enjoy the West Viewpoint.
Return to the previous four-way junction and go right down the Woodward Trail. Follow this as it weaves through the lush forest with some low-lying salal bushes and mosses that are great spots for finding some fungi varieties more common after it rains in autumn.
At the next junction follow the sign that turns you toward Illahie Trail. This is also the area you will find the “Common Fungi in the Forest” interpretative sign. Follow this trail back to the John Dean’s cabin site and then follow the service road back up to the parking lot.
Things to Note
Friends of John Dean Park Society (FJDPS) Common Fungi in the Forest interpretative sign can be also found online: https://www.friendsofjohndeanpark.org/index.php/galleries/interpretive-signs?view=defaultTabs.
The parking lot has about seven actual spaces but there is parking along the road.
A pit toilet is located off the parking lot.
