Mount Eddy
Map SatelliteMount Eddy, the highest non-volcanic peak in the Klamath region, supports a unique flora.
In the higher elevations there is a subalpine forest, with foxtail pine and whitebark pine, Pinus balfouriana and Pinus albicaulis, the dominants. Great Basin sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, is the main component in much of the understory. Above Deadfall Lake there are particularly fine stands of Pinus balfouriana.
In the lower elevations the coniferous forest consists primarily of Western white pine, Pinus monticola, mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana, and red fir, Abies magnifica.
In addition to several wet and dry meadows, there is a bog where Darlingtonia californica is found at approximately 2,285 meters (7,500 feet), a relatively high altitude for this species.
At least seven rare or unusual plants occur in the area, including Campanula scabrella, which here is near its southern range limit, Eriogonum congdonii, Eriogonum siskiyouense, Thelypodium brachycarpum, Veronica copelandii, and the narrow endemics Eriogonum alpinum and Raillardella pringlei.
Animal life is abundant and varied. It is probable that a variety of furbearers, including the marten, Martes americana, and fisher, Martes pennanti, occur here.
Geologically, the eastern portion is underlain by Mesozoic ultrabasics, the western by Mesozoic granitics. There are glacial deposits in the area around Deadfall Lake.
Integrity: There are several campsites in the area, as well as a jeep trail, and some logging has taken place; however, the area is relatively undisturbed save these exceptions.
Use: Research, educational, observational, on public portions. Some private.
February 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman