Wildcat Mountain RNA, located in Linn County, Oregon and expanded in 1998, has a total area of 619 ha. Topography varies from moderate to steep slopes and elevations range from 3300 to 5353 m. There are 117 ha of nonforested areas in the original section of the RNA, including rocky cliffs, meadows, and brushfields. The dominant tree species in the original section is noble fir (Abies procera). However, Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) are also common. Successional trends point toward replacement of most tree species by Pacific silver fir. Four major communities are present in the original portion of the tract: noble fir/queen's cup (Clintonia uniflora), noble fir/vanilla leaf (Carphephorus odoratissimus), mountain hemlock - Pacific silver fir/beargrass (Nolina), and mountain hemlock/big huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) - beargrass. The 212 ha expansion to the RNA was established to fulfill the need for a first to third order stream system in the Pacific Silver Fir Zone. The section includes first, second and third order streams, as well as 8 ha of wetlands. Three of these wetlands lie at the base of Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata) communities, and the species is also associated with several small intermittent streams. Late-successional Pacific silver fir forests, as well as cliff, talus, rock garden, and mesic meadow communities are also present in the expansion. A pair of northern spotted owls, a Federally threatened species, inhabits the tract.

Township/Range/Section:

Portions of secs 17, 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28, T14S, R6E. The addition contains portions of T14S R6E, sections 15,16,17,20,21, and 22.

Latitude:

44,20N

Longitude:

122,06W

Quad Map:

15' Echo Mountain (1955) - scale 1:62:500. Tamolitch Falls 7.5 USGS covers most of the RNA and all of the Addition. The extreme western tip of the RNA is covered by Carpenter Mountain 7.5 USGS.

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Canis lupus may be found here. A pair of Northern Spotted Owls is located in the stream basin and were last documented in 1996 (as of 1998).

Exotic Species Present:

Dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp) is present in noble fir in some areas, and there also appear to be small scattered pockets of root rot.

Plant Communities:

The RNA encompasses stands of noble fir and associated species on mountain slopes and ridgetops. Forest cover types include: Pacific silver fir-hemlock (noble fir dominated), Pacific silver fir-hemlock (Pacific silver fir dominated), mountain hemlock-subalpine fir, and Douglas fir-western hemlock. At least 4 major forest communities occur: noble fir/queencup beadlily, noble fir/vanilla leaf, mountain hemlock-Pacific silver fir/beargrass, and Pacific silver fir/big huckleberry/beargrass. Nonforested communities include: 1) communities on logged and burned forest land, 2) meadows of various types, 3) shrub communities, and 4) communities associated with rock outcrops and cliffs. The meadow communities can be related to the Wet Meadow, Mesic Meadow, and Subalpine Xeric Meadow habitat types.

Aquatic Features Present:

The RNA with its addition contains the headwaters of Wildcat Creek and several unnamed creeks that flow into Browder Creek. The RNa also contains wetlands and wet meadows.

Soils:

Please refer to ER for more detail on the ten main soil mapping types. They include Typic Dystrochrepts, Dystric Chyochrepts and Entic Cryumbrepts.

Other Physical Features:

Rock outcrops and cliffs.

Past Disturbance History:

Other Comments:

Access by road and trail