The 3900 ha Cherry Creek Basin RNA, located in Jackson County, Oregon, encompasses the entire upper and mid sections of the Cherry Creek watershed. The topography includes broad ridge tops, a gently rolling plateau, and forested slopes descending from the plateau. The mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana)/ grouse huckleberry (Vaccinium scoparium) association dominates the plateau, and Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), western white pine (Pinus monticola), white bark pine (Pinus albicaulis), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) are minor overstory components. The understory is dominated by grouse huckleberry in openings under partial canopies, big huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) on mesic sites, and pinemat manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis) in rocky areas. Herbaceous species are present, but sparse. The lodgepole pine/grouse huckleberry association is found in concave basins at upper elevations. Open canopies and dense shrub cover characterize these stands. Upper slopes and ridge tops are dominated by the red fir-mountain hemlock/pinemat manzanita association. Some vernally wet depressions are present in the tract, but more notable features of the RNA are the ponds and lakes. Pond vegetation includes submersed and floating leaved aquatics, and typical mudflat species are found at the water's edge. In addition, an unusual fresh-water sponge species is present in one pond. Vegetation in the lakes consists of sporadic occurrences of buckbean (Menyanthes) and spikebrush (Eleocharis palustris) with occasional inflated sedge (Carex vesicaria). Shrubs grow around the lakeshore. Sensitive species found in the RNA include Newberry's gentian (Gentiana newberryi) and pondmoss (Calliergon trifarium). The RNA is within the Sky Lakes Wilderness.

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Access by road and trail