Bear Peak Area
Map SatelliteAlaska cedar, Cupressus nootkatensis, reaches its southernmost limit some 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of this area. In most of the southern localities the tree is relatively small, almost forming a ground cover. This stand, on a north-facing cirque, above Bear Lake in Little Bear Valley, is among the better southern stands. Also found here is the Brewer spruce, Picea breweriana.
In the lower elevations, the California mixed evergreen forest is the dominant community, grading into white fir, Abies concolor, and Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, in the higher elevations.
Mesozoic granitics comprise the underlying and outcropping rock.
Integrity: There are trails in the southern portion of the area.
Use: Research, educational, observational, light recreation.
May 1976
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman