Castle Rocks Natural Area
Map SatelliteLying wholly within the Sequoia National Park, this area supports several typical forest types. The largest is the red fir, Abies magnifica, forest, which covers some 1,323 hectares (3,270 acres). A canyon live oak, Quercus chrysolepis, forest occupies some 911 hectares (2,253 acres) and there are some 492 hectares (1,216 acres) of ponderosa and sugar pine, Pinus ponderosa and Pinus lambertiana, forest. Mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides, is conspicuous in the live-oak forest in the lower elevations.
Additionally, the Castle Creek Grove and a portion of the Redwood Meadow Grove of sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum, are located within the area; both of these groves consist of several separate stands of trees.
Animal life is typical of the mid to high Sierra. There have been sightings of the rare wolverine, Gulo luscus luteus, in the area.
Most of the area is underlain by Mesozoic granitics which form steep cliffs and which, in places, have eroded to form sharp peaks and spires. The Middle Fork of the Kaweah River forms the northern boundary and there are several tributary creeks. There are also some Paleozoic limestones, and just outside of the area is an extensive limestone cavern.
Integrity: The area was established as a Natural Area in the 1930's. There are several ranger stations near the periphery and a major highway cuts close to the western end.
Use: Research, educational, observational.
October 1976
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman