Kaiser Wilderness

Kaiser Wilderness embraces a relatively small but scenic area on the western slope of the Sierra, north of Huntington Lake.

Two main forest types occur here. In the lower elevations there is a Jeffrey pine forest with Pinus jeffreyi, white fir, Abies concolor, and, in places, black oak, Quercus kelloggii. Higher, there is a red fir forest dominated by Abies magnifica and lodgepole pine, Pinus murrayana. Chinquapin, Chrysolepis sempervirens, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, and huckleberry oak, Quercus vaccinifolia, are present in the understory.

Riparian association here includes mountain alder, Alnus tenuifolia. American dogwood, Cornus stolonifera, and willow, Salix spp.

Three rare or uncommon plants are found in the Wilderness: Aster peirsonii, Castilleja lemmonii and Phalacroseris bolanderi.

The fauna is typical of the mid-Sierran region.

There are several little meadows in the area, and twenty small lakes are present, primarily in the northern section.

Integrity: The area in the vicinity of the small lakes is heavily used and vegetation has been impacted. Most of the Wilderness, though, is relatively undisturbed.

Use: Research, educational, observational, present.

June 1981