Monte Cristo RNA

Monte Cristo Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent grand fir zone forests, dry ridgetop meadows, and small intermittent stream drainages. The topography is generally steep and dissected. Grand fir and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) dominate forested areas throughout the RNA, although higher slopes and ridge tops also support occasional noble fir (Abies procera), western white pine (Pinus monticola), and Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis). Pinemat manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis), indian paintbrush (Castilleja), purple flower honeysuckle (Lonicera conjugialis), western bladderpod (Lesquerella occidentalis), Hall's goldenweed (Haplopappus hallii), rocky mountain helianthella (Helianthella uniflora), arrowleaf balsamroot (Bahia sagittata), Watson's lomatium (Lomatium watsonii), and green-banded mariposa (Calochortus macrocarpus) are common understory throughout the RNA.  Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) are also present.