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Map Satellite Lying to the east of the crest and near the northern end of the Sierra, this park supports a variety of communities.
Much of the area is a red fir forest, with Abies magnifica the dominant. Some white fir, Abies concolor, occurs. On the lower and warmer slopes the forest grades to mixed conifer, with ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, sugar pine, Pinus lambertiana, Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and incense cedar, Calocedrus decurrens, present.
In the upper levels a subalpine forest is found, with mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana, conspicuous. A montane chaparral, including Arctostaphylos sp., Ceanothus sp. and chinquapin, Chrysolepis sempervirens, is also found in the higher elevations separately or as an understory. Much of the higher elevations is sparsely covered or barren.
There are meadows and boggy areas. Along the stream courses black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, willow, Salix spp., and quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, are present. Specimens of the latter measuring 37.5 centimeters (15 inches) in diameter have been reported in the area.
Animals are typical of the northern Sierra and are abundant. Beaver, Castor canadensis, black bear, Ursus americanus, and marten, Martes americana, occur in the park.
A variety of rocks is found here, ranging from Paleozoic metavolcanics and marine sedimentaries, through Pliocene volcanic mudflows, to Quaternary glacial deposits. Lake Eureka lies in a basin carved by a glacier and there is other evidence of glacial activity, moraines, tills, etc.
Integrity: Mining was a major activity in the area in the late 1800's and continued at a reducing volume until 1942. Many remnants of the mining activity have been preserved for their historical interest. The conifer forest exhibits a scarcity of mature pines and Douglas fir, as they were logged for the mines. There are trails, roads, flumes, canals and other man-made constructs in the park. However, most of the area is in relatively good condition.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present.
March 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
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