Appalachian Trail (Kids 12 & Under)

Today we'll explore America's most famous hiking trail, which runs for hundreds of miles from Maine to Georgia. We may not cover the whole stretch in one day, but our portion, running through Pawling, NY, will still be loaded with wild foods.
As we head through disturbed habitats, we'll encounter the huge leaves of greater burdock, with an edible root that tastes like potatoes. Nearby, we'll find the roots of wild parsnips and wild carrots, along with poison hemlock, so it will be well worth it to pay attention to the identifying characteristics if you plan to complete the tour on two feet!

Other common herbs and greens we can expect, growing in wet areas, include water mint, and wild mint. Yarrow, Asiatic dayflower, and chickweed will be growing in sunny dry areas. We'll also find lots jewelweed, a major medicinal herb with juice that relieves a variety of skin irritations, from curing insect bites to preventing poison ivy rash.

In woodland sections, we can expect edible trees such as sassafras and river birch, both excellent teas and culinary herbs.
If it has rained beforehand, the mushrooms could be spectacular. We'll look for chicken mushrooms, hen of the woods, honey mushrooms, shaggy manes, chaga mushrooms, and more.