Preston Peak Area
Map SatelliteA rich variety of plants, including endemics of the Klamath and Siskiyou Mountains, is present in this area in a complex mosaic of montane chaparral, meadows and forests. Dominant in the chaparral are Arctostaphylos spp., Holodiscus sp., huckleberry oak, Quercus vaccinifolia, and Chrysolepis sp. In the mixed evergreen forest the conspicuous members are Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, tan-oak, Lithocarpus densiflorus, madrono, Arbutus menziesii, Port Orford cedar, Cupressus lawsoniana, and various oaks, Quercus spp.
Above the mixed evergreen forest there is a Douglas fir-white fir forest, with Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies concolor the main elements; near the upper limits of this forest are Brewer spruce, Picea breweriana. and mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana. The subalpine forest includes such species as whitebark and foxtail pine, Pinus albicaulis and Pinus balfouriana, subalpine fir, Abies lasiocarpa, and, in several places, Alaska cedar, Cupressus nootkatensis. The latter species is uncommon in California and reaches its southern distribution limit a few kilometers south of this area.
The rare plant Pedicularis howellii occurs here.
Animals, typical of the region, are abundant and include black bear, Ursus americanus, northern flying squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus, and black-capped chickadee, Parus atricapillus.
In much of the area Mesozoic granitics are the underlying rock formation, though Mesozoic serpentines or Paleozoic limestones occur in portions. Cirques and moraines are present, as wall as several lakes and numerous creeks.
Integrity: There are some trails and campsites in the area; however, most of it is undisturbed.
Use: Research, educational, observational.
Ref: Clark, E. D. 1972. A Floristic and Ecological Survey of the Preston Peak and Devil's Punchbowl Area, Siskiyou County, California. United States Forest Service Contract 39-3750, Klamath National Forest.
June 1982
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman