Cherry Creek RNA

Cherry Creek Basin Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent forest, alpine, and aquatic ecosystems. The western boundary of the RNA is formed by high, broad ridgetops at the crest of the Cascades. The RNA has a high, glaciated, gently rolling plateau with scattered volcanic cones and peaks.  From the high plateau, steep forested slopes descend to the Klamath lake basin. The RNA also includes small and scattered kettle lakes as well as the Cherry Creek stream system associated with the glaciated stream valley. The mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana)/ grouse huckleberry (Vaccinium scoparium) association dominates the plateau with scattered stands of Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), western white pine (Pinus monticola), white bark pine (Pinus albicaulis), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). Upper slopes and ridge tops are dominated by the red fir-mountain hemlock/pinemat manzanita association. The understory is dominated by grouse huckleberry in openings under partial canopies, big huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) on mesic sites, and pinemat manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis) in rocky areas. Vegetation in the lakes include buckbean (Menyanthes) and spikebrush (Eleocharis palustris) understory with occasional patches of inflated sedge (Carex vesicaria). Newberry's gentian (Gentiana newberryi) and pondmoss (Calliergon trifarium) are two sensitive species present in the RNA.