Junipero Serra Peak

Junipero Serra Peak is the highest mountain in the South Coast Ranges and supports a unique flora. The general area contains ponderosa pine forest and chaparral communities, with incense cedar, Calocedrus decurrens, found in the canyons. The conifer forest includes, in addition to Pinus ponderosa, Santa Lucia fir, Abies bracteata, and a disjunct stand of sugar pine, Pinus lambertiana. The Pinus lambertiana stands are of open, park-like nature, typical of the fire climax ponderosa forest. Such groves are uncommon. These stands are significant in that the tree is surviving in such a marginal climate.

This forest shows many affinities to ponderosa forests in the Sierra Nevada. Many plant species, such as Viola purpurea, Viola lobata, and Cycladenia humilis var. venusta, are common to the two areas but are not found elsewhere in the South Coast Ranges. Many species common to the moist Coast Range forests reach their southern limit here, including Viola ocellata, Viola sempervirens, Viola lobata, Anemone oregana, Polystichum californicum, Oxalis oregana and Delphinium decorum. Two rare plants are found here, Lupinus cervinus and Galium clementis.

The peak is formed of Mesozoic granitic rock.

Integrity: Virtually undisturbed. There is a trail to the lookout tower on the summit.

Use: Research, educational, observational.

January 1976