Grayback Glades RNA

Grayback Glade Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent white fir (Abies concolor) plant associations at high elevations. The topography of the RNA consists of steep slopes on the north face of Big Sugarloaf Peak. Much of the RNA is dominated by Port Orford cedar (Cupressus lawsoniana), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and white fir (Abies concolor) in the overstory and salal (Gaultheria shallon), golden chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla), Oregon grape (Berberis nervosa), and red huckleberry (Vaccinium parviflorum) in the understory. The overstory of upper slopes and ridges is dominated by white and Douglas fir with Sadler oak (Quercus sadleriana) while the understory is dominated by Oregon grape and vanilla leaf (Achlys triphylla) with occasional patches of vine maple (Acer circinatum) and golden chinquapin. Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis) and white fir dominate the highest elevations of the RNA while occasional patches of sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) can be found at lower elevations. Sitka alder (Alnus sitchensis) and vine maple are the predominant species on talus slopes.