Gold Lake / Lakes Basin
Map SatelliteA montane conifer forest covers much of this area. White fir, Abies concolor, red fir, Abies magnifica, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana, and Jeffrey pine, Pinus jeffreyi, are the main components of the forest. The understory includes Arctostaphylos spp. , Ceanothus spp. and bush chinquapin, Chrysolepis sempervirens. There are scattered stands of quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides.
Several montane meadows occur in the area. Above Gold Lake there is a particularly large and pure stand of Sierra primrose, Primula suffrutescens.
Animals are typical of the region and include golden-mantled squirrel, Citellus lateralis, chipmunks, Eutamias spp., Cassin's finch, Carpodacus cassinii, and mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus.
Much of the area shows evidence of glacial activity. Gold Lake is one of the largest cirque lakes in the State.
Integrity: There are roads, lodges, campsites, etc., in the area.
Use: Present; research, educational, observational, on public land. Some private.
July 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
