Cucamonga Wilderness
Map SatelliteThough the Cucamonga Wilderness is the smallest Wilderness in the State, its import is not proportional to its size.
Several plant communities are found here. In the lower elevations there is a scrub oak - chaparral community, with Quercus sp. and Quercus wislizenii, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Arctostaphylos glauca, Arctostaphylos parryana, holly-leaved cherry, Prunus ilicifolia, and toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia, among the more conspicuous members.
Higher, a ponderosa pine forest occurs, with Pinus ponderosa, Jeffrey pine, Pinus jeffreyi, incense cedar, Calocedrus decurrens, and white fir, Abies concolor, in the overstory, and mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus ledifolius, Arctostaphylos patula, Arctostaphylos pungens, and Ceanothus cordulatus in the understory. Big-cone Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, is also found in the higher elevations.
There is a subalpine forest in the highest portions, with lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, and limber pine, Pinus flexilis.
Sycamore, Platanus racemosa, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, and California bay, Umbellularia californica, are present in the canyon bottoms and moist areas.
The rare Eriogonum microthecum var. johnstonii occurs here.
There is a variety of animals present, including desert bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis nelsoni, mountain lion, Felis concolor, and the uncommon spotted owl, Strix occidentalis.
Several intermittent streams flow within the Wilderness.
Integrity: Trails and various campsites are found in the area. The moist canyon bottoms receive heavy use.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present.
April 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman