The 27 ha Meeks Table RNA is located in Snoqualmie National Forest, Yakima County, Washington. The tract includes an isolated flat-topped butte, rising 150 m above surrounding rolling terrain, and is surrounded by 60 to 90 m cliffs with talus slopes below. Elevations range from 1280 to 1585 m. The entire tract lies within the Grand Fir Zone. The Columbia needlegrass (Achnatherum nelsonii)-spreading phlox (Phlox diffusa)-stiff sagebrush (Artemisia rigida) community is the most extensive community type on Meeks Table. Columbia needlegrass, pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens), and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) are the predominant grasses, and many forbs and halfshrubs are also present. Sedum is the most common forb and Phlox diffusa is the most common halfshrub. The harsh, rocky outcrops in the north and south extremes of Meeks Table have a sparse vegetative cover (22 percent) comprised of forbs, halfshrubs, perennial grasses, and shrubs. The (Pinus ponderosa)/pinegrass/spurred lupine (Lupinus caudatus) community is dominated by ponderosa pine, although Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is also present. Reproduction of both species is sparse. Understory vegetation is dominated by pinegrass and elk sedge (Carex garberi). Douglas fir dominates the Douglas fir/pinegrass-heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) community, and ponderosa pine, western larch (Larix occidentalis) and grand fir (Abies grandis) is also present. The understory is dominated by pinegrass and elk sedge, with heartleaf arnica as the dominant forb. The lack of dominant old-growth Douglas fir or grand fir suggests that virtually all portions of Meeks Table were burned by fires prior to fire control program initiation in 1910.

Township/Range/Section:

Secs 5 and 6, T15N, R14E.

Latitude:

46,15N

Longitude:

121,05W

Quad Map:

None at the time the brochure was printed.

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Exotic Species Present:

Bromus tectorum - cheatgrass brome.

Plant Communities:

Ponderosa pine/pinegrass communities and associated grasslands typical of the Cascade Range. Communities include: Columbia needlegrass-spreading phlox-stiff sagebrush, Sandberg's bluegrass-Douglas eriogonum-stiff sagebrush, ponderosa pine/pinegrass-spur lupine, and Douglas fir/pinegrass-heartleaf arnica.

Aquatic Features Present:

None.

Soils:

See extensive information in the brochure.

Other Physical Features:

An isolated flat-topped butte, surrounded by cliffs which drop to talus slopes.

Past Disturbance History:

Other Comments:

Access by trail