Cougar Butte RNA is located 20 miles from Tiller, Oregon on 1,047 ha of the Umpqua National Forest in Douglas County. The tract is the headwater area of Squaw Creek, tributary to Jackson Creek, which is tributary to the South Umpqua River. Elevations range from 1,428 m. to 1,868 m. The area includes meadow complexes mixed among forest stands and tree patches. Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is commonly found on the south slopes, while Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) are found on the north and east slopes. Additionally, white fir (Abies grandis) can be found in moist sites throughout the area. Dry meadows and mountain alder (Alnus viridis ssp. crispa ) patches occupy non-timbered and partially timbered areas. The recent exclusion of wildfire has led to the invasion of meadows by trees, particularly incense-cedar (Calocedrus kurz) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), leading to active successional processes in the area. The tract is recovering from damage caused by past cattle and sheep grazing, and many examples of change following disturbance can be found.

Township/Range/Section:

Parts of secs 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27, T30S, R2E; and parts of secs 18 and 19, T30S, R3E.

Latitude:

42,57N

Longitude:

122,33W

Quad Map:

not noted

Threatened or Endangered Species:

The following threatened, endangered or sensitive species are known to occur in the area: Umpqua frasera (Frasera umpquaensis), Whitney's haplopappus (Haplopappus whitneyi var. discoides), Sierra onion (Allium campanulatum), California globe mallow (Iliamna latibracteata), and Siskiyou fritillaria (Fritillaria glauca).

Exotic Species Present:

Some exotic plant species have invaded meadow areas due to past grazing.

Plant Communities:

The area includes meadows; meadow invasion by incense cedar; meadow/forest ecotone; ridgetops with incense cedar, mountain hemlock, and subalpine fir; forests of Shasta red fir and mountain hemlock; forests of incense cedar, Douglas fir and white pine; 2 small ponds and several wet bogs. Plant Associations include: white fir-Shasta red fir/common prince's pine; lodgepole pine/pinemat manzanita/lupine; mountain hemlock/grouse huckleberry/depauperate; Shasta red fir/thin-leaved huckleberry; white fir/vine maple/vanillaleaf; white fir-incense cedar/dwarf Oregon grape; mountain hemlock-Shasta red fir/thin-leaved huckleberry; mountain hemlock-subalpine fir/grouse huckleberry; western hemlock/dwarf Oregon grape/vanillaleaf; white fir-lodgepole pine/western serviceberry; Shasta red fir-mountain alder; wet meadow; dry meadow; and quaking aspen. Another available habitat is rock.

Aquatic Features Present:

The RNA is the headwater area of Squaw Creek. The area includes 2 small ponds and several wet bogs.

Soils:

Soils are shallow, fragile and derived from 3 basic parent materials. Soils originating from these materials belong to the Lithosols and Podozolics Great Soil Group, the Ando Great Soil Group, or are alluvium. For more in-depth information, see Establishment Record.

Other Physical Features:

Ash and pumice rock plateaus, including the west side of the Abbott Butte Plateau. Talus slopes.

Past Disturbance History:

Crown fires burned parts of the area in the past. Also, cattle and sheep grazing occurred until 1950. The balsam wooley aphid has invaded some areas.

Other Comments:

Access by trail