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Lost Lake Research Natural AreaMedford District , BLMWest Cascades, Oregon EcoregionCell(s):
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The 155 ha Lost Lake RNA, located 24 km from Ashland in Jackson County, Oregon, protects a low elevation lake near the headwaters of Lost Creek in the southern Cascades. The steep canyon walls support mixed conifer forests and open stands of oaks and shrubs on shallow soils associated with rock outcrops and boulder fields. The elevation ranges from 1,066 to 1,372 m. Warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters characterize the climate. Annual precipitation averages 89 cm. Bedrock consists of lava flows, volcanic tuff and breccia of the western Cascade Range. Soils are clayey and loamy, represented by McNull, McMullin and Medco soil series. The small, narrow lake formed as a result of a landslide across Lost Creek. Above the lake, Lost Creek passes through several alluvial terraces where water levels of previous lakes are evident. The forests are dominated by Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) with scattered old growth sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana); white fir (Abies concolor) grows in the understory. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) inhabit the steep, dry slopes. The driest sites with shallow soils support Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and California black oak (Quercus kelloggii). Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) surrounds the lake. Special status species include Northwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata marmorata) and Alaska curved woodrush (Luzula arcuata ssp. unalaschcensis). Rugged terrain limited past livestock grazing to a slight disturbance. Evidence suggests that wildfires were frequent in the past. The lake has been planted with sport fish, and a heavy sediment load derives from heavily logged private land upstream.
Access by gravel roads and a recreation trail
