The McKenzie Pass RNA is located in the high Cascades in Lane County, Oregon. The 480 ha tract has elevations ranging from 1536 m. in the northwest corner to 5842 m. in the southeast corner, and the topography generally climbs gently from northwest to southeast. Steep areas can be found in the northwest and southeast corners. Small, shallow ponds and meadows occupy depressions left by glaciers. Plant community composition can vary considerably over short distances, possibly due to variation in topography or substrate. Lavaflows, which enter the area in the western, southern and eastern sections, are sparsely vegetated with mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) trees and occasional shrubs and herbs. The northern third and the southern part of the RNA are dominated by mountain hemlock, subalpine fir and Pacific fir (Abies amabilis), while lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), mixed with mountain hemlock and subalpine fir, dominates on drier sites in the middle section of the RNA. Additional tree species in the area include Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), western white pine (Pinus monticola), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), noble fir (Abies procera), and white fir (Abies grandis). The shrub layer is dominated by grouseberry (Vaccinium scoparium), thin-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), and dwarf bramble (Rubus lasiococcus), and common herbs include redwoods violet (Viola sempervirens), one-sided wintergreen (Orthilia secunda), beargrass (Nolina), and broadleaf lupine (Lupinus latifolius). The wetter meadows are dominated by water sedge (Carex aquatilis), beaked sedge (Carex rostrata), and Jeffrey's shooting star (Dodecatheon jeffreyi), while less common dry meadows are dominated by bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis). McKenzie Pass RNA provides habitat for the Federally listed spotted owl.

A series of permanent plots are located within the RNA.

Township/Range/Section:

Part of sec 25 T15S R7E, and part of sections 29, 30, 31, 32 T15S R8E

Latitude:

44,14N

Longitude:

121,49W

Quad Map:

North Sister, Oreg. 7.5 USGS

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Scirpus congdonii is peculiar to this area. Potential habitat for Sisyrinchium sarmentosum, a federal category 2 candidate species (1997), in contained in the RNA.

Exotic Species Present:

Exotic plants are rare, but are likely to appear eventually along the Huckleberry Lake Trail or in other areas near the highway.

Plant Communities:

The area includes a subalpine lava flow with representative vegetation. Associations in the mountain hemlock series are the most common and occur throughout the RNA. They include the mountain hemlock/grouseberry, and the mountain hemlock/thin-leaved blueberry/beargrass. Two Pacific silver fir associations, Pacific silver fir/thin-leaved blueberry/beargrass and Pacific silver fir/thin-leaved blueberry/queencup beadlily, occur in three patches in the southern half of the RNA. A mountain hemlock/big huckleberry/beargrass community exists on ridges and high areas. Subalpine parkland vegetation occurs on lower areas. Wet/mesic meadows and ponds also provide habitat.

Aquatic Features Present:

Depressional areas carved out by glaciers are occupied by several small, shallow ponds, or by meadows that probably once were ponds. The area is traversed by numerous small seasonal drainages that flow generally northwest. In the northwest corner of the RNA a steep-sided ravine drains toward the northwest.

Soils:

Five soil mapping units occur within the McKenzie Pass RNA, representing five landtypes. The following descriptions are from the SRI. (1) Recent volcanic lava flows; (2) Wet non-forest land; (3) Loamy-skeletal Entic Cryumbrept; (4) Ashy over loamy Entic Cryorthod; (5) Entic Cryumbrept.

Other Physical Features:

Lava flows and rock outcrops.

Past Disturbance History:

Recreational use of the RNA consists of light to moderate use by day hikers, mountain bikers, and deer hunters who usually enter the north side of the area from Craig Lake area or from the Huckleberry Lake Trail. Part of this trail may run inside the RNA boundary on the northeast side of the RNA.

Other Comments:

Access by road and trail; winter access by snow machine or skis