Lake Fork PRNA

Lake Fork proposed Research Natural Area (pRNA) was selected to represent the bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) -creamy buckwheat plant association. The pRNA is bounded on the north by the top of a steep ridge which descends sharply down into Lake Creek drainage. The Wallawa-Whitman National Forest portion has a slightly more gentle topography with a general southwestern aspect while the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) portion is steeper with a generally southern aspect. There are two springs in forested drainages of the HCNRA portion. The bluebunch wheatgrass-creamy buckwheat plant association dominates the pRNA with Wallowa Mountain grasslands also present.  Cusick’s camas (Camassia cusickiana) is present in seeps of basaltic outcroppings at lower elevations near North Pine Creek.