English Peak Area
Map SatelliteThis area, which lies within the Marble Mountain Wilderness, supports a pure stand of silver fir, Abies amabilis, on the north-facing slope of English Peak. This is one of the three known occurrences of the fir in California as well as the southernmost stand of this species which is common in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
In the surrounding forested area there are mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana, Western white pine, Pinus monticola, red and white fir, Abies magnifica and Abies concolor, and Brewer spruce, Picea breweriana. The latter occurs in open stands.
Subalpine meadows border some of the lakes in the area. The uncommon Tauschia howellii is found here.
The area is underlain by Mesozoic granodiorite and metasedimentaries. Glacial features are present, including the cirque lakes.
Integrity: There is a lookout on English Peak and a trail passes through the fir stand, but the vegetation is virtually undisturbed.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present.
March 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman