Torrey-Charlton Research Natural Area Deschutes and Willamette National Forests , USFS West Cascades, Oregon Ecoregion Cell(s): Mountain hemlock/grouse huckleberry and mountain hemlock woodrush forests Subalpine pond, with aquatic beds and marshy shore Montane vernal pond Bog laurel shrub swamp

Access by road and trail

Torrey-Charlton RNA, located in Lane and Deschutes Counties, Oregon, occupies 892 ha of the Willamette National Forest, and 253 ha of the Deschutes National Forest. The natural area lies in the central Oregon High Cascades region, and is comprised of two separate units. The 426 ha Torrey unit includes Torrey Lake and other pond, mire, and wetland habitats, as well as the southeast slopes of Taylor Butte. The 718 ha Charlton Unit contains Charlton Butte, various aged stands of mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), true fir stands, ponds, and small meadows. The topography is comprised of gentle, west-facing slopes, and elevations range from 1635 to 1782 m. Both units of the RNA are dominated by mountain hemlock, with some lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis). Grouse huckleberry (Vaccinium scoparium) is a common shrub throughout the RNA. In addition to this Mountain hemlock/Grouse huckleberry community, other communities present include a Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)/beargrass (Nolina) community found on the northwest slopes of Charlton Butte, a Mountain hemlock/Big huckleberry/Beargrass community located in the northwest portion of the Torrey unit, and small talus communities on the east and north sides of Charlton Butte. A large lightening fire burned the RNA in August 1996. Nearly the entire Torrey unit burned with high intensity, while only the west half of the Charlton unit burned. The south and east sides of the Charlton tract still contain old growth hemlock stands. Scattered pockets of laminated root rot infection can be found in unburned portions of the Charlton unit.

Permanent plots were established in 1976 and more were added after the burn to provide long-term data on tree growth, mortality and understory vegetation. Permanent transects have also been established in the mire communities.