Russian Gulch State Park

The most conspicuous vegetation in Russian Gulch State Park is the redwood - Douglas fir association which is found along the lower slopes of the gulch. Redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, and Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, are the main elements, with tan-oak, Lithocarpus densiflora, California bay, Umbellularia californica, and Western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, present.

Inland, on a marine terrace, is a pygmy forest (see Pygmy Forest A-U in Mendocino County). On the higher elevations there is Bishop pine, Pinus muricata, grand fir, Abies grandis, coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, and Mendocino cypress, Cupressus pygmaea. The latter occurs both as a normal-sized tree in association with the Bishop pines and, in the pygmy forest, as stunted specimens.

Along the creek there is a riparian association, with red alder, Alnus rubra, dominant. Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis, reaches its southern distributional limit within the park.

Animals are abundant and typical of the north coastal region. The rare snail, Helminthoglypta arrosa pomoensis, is found here. Of note are the large colonies of sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus spp., in the waters off the park.

On the headland there is a sea-cut tunnel about 60 meters (200 feet) long that has collapsed at the inland end, forming a steep bowl.

Integrity: There are trails, campsites and other park facilities, but the area remains in good condition.

Use: Research, educational, observational, present.

January 1978