Harrison Grade - Camp Meeker Serpentine Area
Map SatelliteTo the east and north of Camp Meeker, along the northwest-southeast trending ridges, is a narrow band of serpentine-derived soils. Associated with these soils is a community consisting principally of serpentine chaparral with a Sargent cypress, Cupressus sargentii, forest. Among the components of the chaparral are Arctostaphylos stanfordiana, the rare and endemic Arctostaphylos bakeri, and the uncommon Ceanothus jepsonii. The rare Cordylanthus tenuis ssp. brunneus occurs here also.
Among the other plants found in the area are Streptanthus glandulosus, Pickeringia montana and Dendromecon rigida. There is some second-growth redwood forest, Sequoia sempervirens, present, as well as patches of a mixed evergreen forest. Along the creeks, particularly Duvoul, is a good riparian community with Alnus rhombifolia, Umbellularia californica and Rhododendron occidentale.
Animal life is typical and includes, along the stream banks, populations of the yellow-legged frog, Rana boylei. Several newts, Taricha spp., are present.
Integrity: Portions of the area have been logged but the serpentine area is relatively undisturbed.
Use: Private
December 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
