Big Bend Mountain PRNA

Big Bend Mountain proposed Research Natural Area (pRNA) was chosen to represent subalpine forests, mid to high elevation vernal ponds, and a subalpine lake. The pRNA includes five mountain marshes with an array of wet plant communities, dry plant communities, and talus slopes. The eastern portion of the pRNA includes a large, relatively low elevation wetland on a bench above Blazed Alder Creek. The Fir Creek drainage and its tributaries are dominated by old growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) plant communities.  Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) dominate upper slopes.