Book: Mountain States Foraging

Briana Wile’s Mountain States Foraging (Timber Press, $30) is the only guide I’d want in my pack on a backcountry trip; the author’s colorful run-down of local wild, edible plants is refreshingly accessible and detailed. Her range spans most of the Western US and parts of Canada, breaking alphabetized content down by season and edible parts. From mustard greens to beebalm, her helpful tips include how to identify, preserve, and harvest foraged foods at the best time. Throughout the guide, Wile gives many creative ideas for whipping something up on the camp stove or in the kitchen, like wild infused honey and campfire teas, or infused butter and elixirs. There’s a clear element of responsible stewardship in her writing and each section includes yield and bounty stats as well as cautionary warnings.