Jack Ranch - Sugarloaf Peak Area
Map SatelliteSeveral plant communities are present in this area. Chaparral covers approximately two-thirds of the area and, here, includes chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum, mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides, Arctostaphylos spp., and buck brush, Ceanothus cuneatus. There is some oak woodland with valley oak, Quercus lobata, blue oak, Quercus douglasii, and gray pine, Pinus sabiniana. This woodland grades into a mixed evergreen forest where black oak, Quercus kelloggii, incense cedar, Calocedrus decurrens, and ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, dominate.
Along the streams and creeks there is a riparian association with cottonwood, Populus fremontii, willow, Salix sp., and mountain alder, Alnus tenuifolia.
Several rare or uncommon plants occur here, including Fritillaria brandegei, Brodiaea insignis, Navarretia setiloba, and Eriophyllum lanatum ssp. obovatum.
Animals typical of the southern Sierra are present. Among them are coyote, Canis latrans, Western gray squirrel, Sciurus griseus, pinyon mouse, Peromyscus truei, mountain quail, Oreortyx pictus, and mourning dove, Zenaidura macroura.
Mesozoic granitics underlie the area.
Integrity: There are roads and camps in the area; however, the vegetation is relatively undisturbed.
Use: Research, educational, observational, on public portion. Some private.
July 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
