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Map Satellite Located in the Pleito Hills at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, this area supports an excellent example of the blue oak woodland. Quercus douglasii is the dominant but there are stands of the big-cone Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, which here is near the northern limit of its distribution. There are extensive grasslands with, perhaps, natives predominating; Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora is conspicuous. Along the creek there is a riparian community with cottonwood, Populus fremontii, the main cover. Animal life is abundant and typical of the region. It is a feeding area for the endangered California condor, Gymnogyps californianus. The rocks in the area are of the Pleito formation, marine sandstones of the lower Miocene and Oligocene, and are well exposed in the sandstone cliffs. The area is of archaeological interest. Integrity: Though grazed by cattle, the area is well managed and shows relatively little disturbance. Use: Private September 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2008 Steven Louis Hartman
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