On June 9, 2000, President William J. Clinton established the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in recognition of the area’s outstanding ecological values. Towering conifer forests, sunlit oak woodlands, wildflower-strewn meadows, lush wetlands, meandering streams, rock gardens and steep canyons offer a rich mosaic of habitat for a variety of plants and animals. This extraordinarily diverse landscape results from the monument’s location at the convergence of the Cascades, Eastern Cascades Slopes and Klamath Ecoregions. Unique topography, geology, soils, climate and vegetation distinguish each ecoregion.
The remnant of an ancient volcano, Pilot Rock stands out as one of the most striking features of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Below Pilot Rock lies a landscape brimming with ecological diversity and wonder; a landscape where a short hike leads the explorer from the quiet grandeur of a cool, moss-covered forest to a wildflower and boulder strewn meadow full of hundreds of colorful butterflies. From the meadow, one looks out across the rocky ridges of the Siskiyou Mountains, the wide expanse of the Shasta Valley and the towering snow-capped volcanic peak of Mount Shasta. It is the forest and the butterflies, as well as the mountains, volcanoes and valleys that help tell the ecological story of the area.
The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument provides visitors with great recreational and educational opportunities. At Hyatt Lake, located at the monument’s northern boundary, families enjoy camping, fishing, boating and hiking. Hikers, backpacker’s and horse users can explore the core of the monument on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The area invites exploration and discovery. Visitors should be aware and respectful of the large tracts of private property interspersed with monument lands.
Today, protection of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is the first step in protecting and maintaining the ecological, biological and historical values of this area.
Nature & Science
Ecology
Geological and climatological influences from the north, south, west and east meet at the convergence of southwestern Oregon’s Cascade, Siskiyou and Klamath mountain ranges. Plants and animals typically found in ecologically distinct regions come together in an array of species richness and diversity unmatched anywhere in the Cascade Mountains. The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument represents the heart of this fascinating region. The ecologically distinct regions represented by species in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument are known as ecoregions. Ecologists classify areas as ecoregions based upon unique combinations of topography, geology, soils, climate and vegetation. In this case, multiple ecoregions meet, making for an ecologically jumbled landscape. Plant communities, for example, represent a mixing of the vegetation types found in the Great Basin, Cascades and Klamath Mountains. Other species typically found east of the Cascades, such as pygmy nut hatches and kangaroo rats, share habitat with western species such as rough-skinned newts and northern spotted owls. Throughout the monument, a highly unusual assemblage of butterflies representative of ecoregions that lie to the north, south, west and east, fly next to one another.
The monument’s ecology is influenced in large part by the region’s extremely complex geology. A majority of the monument lies within the relatively young, volcanic Cascade Range. The southwestern portion of the monument is in the much older Siskiyou Mountains. The Siskiyou Mountains, considered a part of the Klamath Mountains, contain the oldest known rocks in Oregon at 425 million years old. The differences in rock types and ages provide the foundation for a variety of soil types and habitats.
Another important factor in the ecological makeup of the area, is the east-west orientation of the Siskiyou Mountains. An unusual orientation for a large mountain range, the Siskiyous provide plant and animal species with a critical connection between the Cascades and the wet forests of the western coastal ranges. In addition, the Siskiyou and Klamath Mountains were not heavily glaciated in the last ice age and served as a refuge for species whose former habitat disappeared under tons of continental ice. The final ingredients in the recipe for ecological diversity, are the sudden changes in elevation and aspect that affect sun exposure, moisture and temperature throughout the monument.
This geologically and ecologically diverse region has provided a home for native peoples for thousands of years. Numerous archaeological and historical sites, including areas of traditional cultural importance such as spiritual sites and root gathering areas are found throughout the monument. Archaeological surveys in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument have located close to 100 sites relating to the native peoples’ use of the area. These are typically areas where open meadows, oaks and game, including deer and elk, still exist. The monument also contains remnants of the historic Oregon/California Trail. Rock alignments, blazed trees and artifacts such as cast-off ox shoes document this historic route.
Attractions
Jenny Creek
The eastern edge of the monument roughly follows the path of Jenny Creek as it flows from Oregon into California. Jenny Creek and its tributaries are home to redband trout, Jenny Creek suckers and speckled dace. Springs that feed the creek contain tiny snails that live nowhere else. Western pond turtles inhabit large pools. The redband trout, Jenny Creek suckers, tiny snails and western pond turtles all have some type of special status. BLM researchers and cooperating scientists are studying all these aquatic animals in an effort to better protect the Jenny Creek ecosystem.
Scotch Creek & Oregon Gulch Research Natural Areas
The Scotch Creek (1797 acres) and Oregon Gulch (1047 acres) Research Natural Areas were set aside to preserve and study representative plant communities. Scotch Creek’s east facing slopes are dominated by a chaparral community composed primarily of shrubs from the rose family. Oregon Gulch Research Natural Area contains stands of mixed conifer including old-growth sugar pine, Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and incense cedar.
Mariposa Lily Botanical Area
The BLM acquired the area in 1993 in a unique land exchange involving the Nature Conservancy and ranchers in the Rogue Valley. The 222 acre botanical area is located west of Interstate 5 and just north of the California border and provides protection for Greene’s mariposa lily (pictured here) and Detling’s microseris. Greene’s mariposa lily grows only in southern Jackson County, Oregon and northern Siskiyou County, California. Another plant in the botanical area, Detling’s microseris, is found only in Jackson County, OR. The preserve also serves as year-round habitat for blacktail deer and a small elk herd and contains portions of the old Oregon/California Trail.
Pilot Rock
Pilot Rock, the remnant of an ancient volcano, stands out as one of the monument’s most striking features. Visible from much of the Shasta Valley in northern California and parts of Oregon’s Rogue Valley, the rock provides viewers with a look at the inside of a volcano. Over time, the exterior volcano eroded away, leaving behind the now cooled magma of the ancient volcano’s central vent. Fossil sites in the vicinity of Pilot Rock contain leaf impressions and conifer cones that became embedded in volcanic ash beds 25-35 million years ago.
Butterflies
Butterflies are indicators of biodiversity, especially plant diversity. The caterpillars of many species will only feed on certain host plants. The presence of a butterfly indicates that its host plant is nearby. Therefore, butterflies can be used to measure plant diversity and biodiversity in general. Over 100 butterfly species have been documented in the monument. The butterflies represent an extremely unique combination of species not usually found in the same geographical area.
Soda Mountain Wilderness Study Area
The 5,867 acre Soda Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) was established to preserve its unusual ecological diversity, spotted owl and black-tailed deer habitat and wilderness values. The area has no trails or roads and offers outstanding opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Medford District BLM
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, Oregon 97504
Phone: 541-618-2200
Fax: 541-618-2400
Weather/Climate
Climate at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument changes greatly with elevation. Much of the precipitation comes from October to April in the form of rain at the low elevations and as snow in the higher elevations where very cold temperatures are possible. Although snow is possible in the lowest elevations, it is infrequent. Late spring, summer and early autumn tend to bring clear, sunny days with moderate temperatures.
