Indian Creek RNA

Indian Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent a subalpine forest mosaic in the Blue Mountains. About half of the RNA occurs on gentle to moderate slopes. The remaining area consists of steep to very steep slopes with several massive rock domes. The central portion of the RNA includes the headwaters of Indian Creek. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) are the dominant tree species of the RNA. Engelmann spruce (Picea englemanni), grand fir (Abies grandis), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and western larch (Larix occidentalis) are also present. Umber pussy-toes (Anaphalis umbrinella), Wallowa penstemon (Penstemon spatulatus), Parry's rush (Juncus parryi), lip-fern (Cheilanthes spp.), mountain holly fern (Polystichum lonchitis), monkey flower (Mimulus spp.), shooting star (Dodecatheon spp.), creeping sibbaldia (Sibbaldia procumbens), Sitka valerian (Valeriana sitchensis), and sweetmarsh butterweed (Senecio foetidus) are common understory plants in non-forested areas.