The 219 ha Old Baldy RNA straddles the line between Jackson and Klamath counties, Oregon, and is managed by the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Lakeview District (152 ha) and the Medford District (67 ha). Slopes average between 15 and 25%, with predominantly south and southwest aspects and elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,925 m. Plant communities include high elevation white fir (Abies concolor), chaparral of golden chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla) and manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), and coniferous forests of Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), and western white pine (Pinus monticola). The temperate climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Annual precipitation averages 150 cm. Soil series include Oatman, Otwin, Woodcock and Pokegema. The RNA was established for fire-maintained southern Cascade chaparral community dominated by chinquapin and manzanita and for habitat for northern spotted owl. Disturbance includes some logging along Pacific Crest Trail at the edge of the RNA in the Medford District, and historic logging and recent commercial thinning on adjacent areas. In 2003 the Klamath Falls Resource Area burned about 162 ha in the RNA, using prescribed fire to conserve the chaparral plant community. Monitoring transects for the shrub community had been established in 1999 according to protocols developed by the National Park Service. Pre-burn data were collected by a researcher from the Oregon Natural Heritage Program (ONHP). Data from a sub-sample of the plots were collected in 2001 to verify the validity of the earlier pre-burn data. Additional plots were established in the fall of 2001 to measure dead and downed fuel loads before the burn. In the summer of 2002 pre-burn measurements were taken in five vegetation transects for vegetation cover by species and five stand exams for tree condition and age. Post-burn data were collected in 2003 and 2004.

Township/Range/Section:

Latitude:

Longitude:

Quad Map:

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Exotic Species Present:

Plant Communities:

Aquatic Features Present:

Soils:

Other Physical Features:

Past Disturbance History:

Other Comments:

Access by paved, gravel and cinder-surfaced roads, and foot trail