Subsection M261Al
Duzel Rock

Lithology and Stratigraphy.  This subsection contains some Cambrian plagiogranite and a variety of Cambrian through Devonian metasedimentary and minor metavolcanic rocks.  They include Silurian and Devonian metamorphosed conglomerate, sandstone, shale, chert, limestone, and basalt of the Duzel, Moffett Creek, and Gazelle formations.  Rocks related to the Trinity terrane occur along the western edge of the subsection, next to the Eastern Klamath Belt.  Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks of the Hornbrook Formation occur along the northern edge of the subsection, on the margin of Shasta Valley.  Quaternary alluvium occurs in stream valleys.

Geomorphology.  This is a subsection of mountains with rounded summits, steep sides, and narrow canyons.  It is hilly, with moderately steep slopes at the northern end of the subsection and on the margin of the Shasta Valley.  Floodplains and alluvial fans are most extensive in valleys of East Fork Scott River, Noyes Valley Creek, Yreka Creek, and Julien Creek.  The elevation range is from about 2600 up to 6037 feet on Duzel Rock and 6098 feet on Antelope Mountain.  Mass wasting and fluvial erosion are the main geomorphic processes.

Soils.  The soils are mostly Typic and Lithic Argixerolls.  Soils on Duzel Rock are mostly rocky Lithic Xerorthents and Lithic Haploxerolls.  Ultic Haploxeralfs occur on serpentinized peridotite.  Soils on alluvial fans and floodplains are mostly Xerochrepts, Argixerolls, Durixeralfs, and Endoaquolls.  The soils are well drained, except for some poorly drained soils on floodplains.  Soil temperature regimes are predominantly mesic, with some frigid at higher elevations.

Vegetation.   The predominant natural plant communities are Western juniper series, Ponderosa pine series, Douglas-fir - ponderosa pine series, and Oregon white oak series.  Jeffrey pine series occurs on serpentinized peridotite.  Curlleaf mountain-mahogany is common in the western and southern parts of the subsection.

Characteristic series by lifeform include:
Grasslands: California annual grassland series.
Shrublands: Big sagebrush series, Brewer oak series, Greenleaf manzanita series, Rubber rabbitbrush series, Tobacco brush series, Wedgeleaf ceanothus series.
Forests and woodlands: Black oak series, Douglas-fir series, Douglas-fir - ponderosa pine series, Jeffrey pine series, Oregon white oak series, Ponderosa pine series, Western juniper series, White fir series.

Surface Water.  Runoff is rapid.  It drains to the Scott River on the west and to the Shasta River and its tributaries in the eastern part of the subsection.   All but the larger streams are dry through much or most of summer.  There are no natural lakes in the subsection.