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Map Satellite The Kern River cuts through a canyon, steep-sided in places, for approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) in this area. There is a good riparian streamside community, with the dominants cottonwood, Populus fremontii, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, and willows, Salix spp. There is also a small freshwater marsh with Typha angustifolia, Scirpus acutus, Rumex crispus and Carex spp. Though the vegetation is sparse in places, much of the area is in chaparral, with buck brush, Ceanothus cuneatus, and poison oak, Toxicodendron diversiloba. In the higher elevations there is an oak woodland, with interior live oak, Quercus wislizenii, blue oak, Quercus douglasii, and gray pine, Pinus sabiniana. The rare Navarretia setiloba occurs here, as does the narrow endemic Erigeron multiceps. There is a relative abundance of animal life present, including several uncommon species. The river canyon is cut through Mesozoic granite. Integrity: Parts of the area are heavily used by visitors and have been impacted; however, the terrain is such that most of the area is virtually undisturbed. Use: Research, educational, observational, present. Some private. October 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2008 Steven Louis Hartman
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