Lost Lake RNA

Lost Lake Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent a low elevation lake with aquatic beds and marshy shore, surrounded by a mixed conifer forest.  The steep canyon walls are associated with rock outcrops and boulder fields. The small, narrow lake that formed from a landslide passes through several alluvial terraces where water levels of previous lakes are evident. The forests are dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and scattered stands of old growth sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) while white fir (Abies concolor) grows in the understory. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) dominate steep, dry slopes while Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) dominate the driest sites with shallow soils. Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) surrounds the lake.