The Quinault RNA is located in the Olympic National Forest, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The topography of the 594 ha tract is flat to gently rolling, except on steeper slopes of Quinault Ridge along the eastern boundary. Elevations range from 122 m to 366 m. Two creeks and several smaller tributaries flow through the tract. Western hemlock, Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) dominate the entire natural area. Tree size and age vary widely throughout the natural area; the oldest and largest trees are 400 year old Douglas fir, the smallest and youngest trees are western hemlocks. Succession in the natural area is toward replacement of existing mixed forests by western hemlock. Sitka spruce saplings are also common, but not with the abundance of western hemlock. In addition, Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) is reproducing under closed forests along Quinault Ridge, and is expected to be a part of the climax forest. Most tree reproduction in the RNA is found on rotting "nurse" logs, which is evident in the lines of mature trees growing along the remains of the original nurse logs. Red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium), sword fern (Nephrolepis), and redwood sorrel dominate the lush understory. Elk use the tract as wintering ground, which has affected understory composition. The area is bisected by Route 101 and windthrow is common along this boundary.

The natural area includes two 1 ha reference stands.

Township/Range/Section:

All except 2 ha (5 acres) of sec 31 and the W1/2 and W1/2 NE1/4 of sec 32, T23N, R9W, and the N1/2 of sec 6 and W1/2 NW1/4 of sec 5, T22N, R9W.

Latitude:

47,27N

Longitude:

123,52W

Quad Map:

15' Quinault Lake (1955) - scale 1:62,500.

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Oxyporous nobilissimus (fuzzy sandozi) - a conk.

Exotic Species Present:

Plant Communities:

An example of Sitka spruce type in its natural state. Forest cover types include: western hemlock, Sitka spruce-western hemlock, western red cedar-western hemlock, and Douglas fir-western hemlock. The natural area lies within the "rain forest" region of the western Olympic Peninsula. Wet depressions, swampy areas, streams and streamsides are specialized habitats for plant communities.

Aquatic Features Present:

Willaby and Boulder Creeks flow through the RNA, and several of their small tributaries rise within it.

Soils:

Not mapped or described, but at least a portion would probably be classed as Sols Bruns Acides.

Other Physical Features:

Past Disturbance History:

Other Comments:

Access by road