Devils Backbone South

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This high, narrow ridge supports an unusual subalpine forest of krummholz lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. murrayana.  The Western juniper, Juniperus occidentalis ssp. australis, occurs here in one of several disjunct stands in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains.  The juniper occurs with the Jeffrey and sugar pines, Pinus jeffreyi and Pinus lambertiana.

Boschniakia strobilacea, a parasite on Arctostaphylos spp., is not uncommon here.  Several rare plants are found in the vicinity including Claytonia lanceolata var. peirsonii, Eriogonum umbellatum var. minus, and Monardella cinerea.  The Claytonia is a local endemic.  

See also Devil's Backbone - North

Integrity: Primarily a hiking area, there are remnants of old pipes and a cable, once used as guides along the trail. There is a ski lift near the eastern end of the area.

Use:  Educational, research, observational, light recreational.

July 1975

Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman

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