Mokelumne Wilderness
Map SatelliteMokelumne Wilderness is typical of the high granite Sierra Crest zone. Most of the area is sparsely timbered; however, there are numerous scattered stands. In the higher elevations lodgepole pine, Pinus murrayana, is found; it grades downward into the red fir, Abies magnifica, forest. Some Western white pine, Pinus monticola, occurs here.
Lower, there is also a mixed conifer forest with white fir, Abies concolor, and Jeffrey pine, Pinus jeffreyi, as dominants. Mountain chaparral, with Arctostaphylos spp., squaw carpet, Ceanothus prostratus, and chinquapin, Chrysolepis sempervirens, is common.
Along the Mokelumne River there is a riparian association with willows, Salix spp.
Animal life is abundant. Fisher, Martes pennanti, marten, Martes americana, longtail weasel, Mustela frenata, black bear, Ursus americanus, and bobcat, Lynx rufus, are among the numerous mammals found in the Wilderness. The area is in the summer range for mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, from both California and Nevada herds.
There are a dozen small lakes, numerous ponds and creeks, as well as a portion of the Mokelumne River within the Wilderness.
Integrity: The area is virtually undisturbed, is minimal grazing.
Use: Research, educational, present.
May 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman