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Map Satellite Much of this area, which lies southeast of the Mono Basin, is covered by a relatively open forest with Jeffrey pine, Pinus jeffreyi, the main component of the overstory. Basin sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, and antelope bush, Purshia tridentata, are prominent in the understory.
Near Crooked Meadow there is a stand of lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana, and between Wet and Sentinel Meadows a stand of Western white pine, Pinus monticola, occurs.
Vegetation in the meadows, of which Crooked is the largest, consists primarily of Juncus spp., Carex spp., and various grasses. The uncommon Lupinus argenteus var. montigenus is found near Crooked Meadow.
Animal life is typical of the Basin region. Sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, is locally common. There is a disjunct population of the lodge-pole chipmunk, Eutamias speciosus, in the area.
There are a number of springs and several intermittent streams present.
Integrity: Several dirt roads and jeep trails cross the area and portions have been grazed; however, the area is relatively undisturbed.
Use: Research, educational, observational, on public portion. Some private.
June 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
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