Subsection M261An
Red Butte

Lithology and Stratigraphy.  This subsection contains a variety of Paleozoic to Jurassic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks, including components of ophiolitic sequences, of Rattlesnake Creek and some Western Hayfork terranes.  These older rocks were intruded by Mesozoic granitic rocks, generally quartz diorite to slightly more silicic rocks.  The Condrey Mountain Schist, some of which is in this subsection, is a greenschist - blueschist facies volcanic and sedimentary sequence and subduction complex.  There is some Quaternary glacial till and outwash on the north sides of the higher mountains.

Geomorphology.  This is a subsection of mountains with rounded ridges, steep sides,  and narrow canyons.  Slopes on Condrey Mountain Schist are generally moderately steep, rather than steep, reflecting its susceptibility to mass wasting.  Cirques and glaciated valleys occur on the north sides of the higher mountains.  The elevation range is from about 4000 feet up to 7112 feet on Condrey Mountain.  Mass wasting and fluvial erosion are the main geomorphic processes.

Soils.  The soils are mostly Typic, Lithic, and Pachic Xerumbrepts and Ultic Haploxeralfs.  Soil temperature regimes are predominantly frigid, with some cryic at higher elevations.  Soil moisture regimes are xeric.

Vegetation.   The predominant natural plant communities are White fir series, and, at higher elevations, Red fir series.  Jeffrey pine series occurs on ultramafic rocks.  Mixed subalpine forest series is represented in this subsection, and some unique plant communities called “Enriched stands in the Klamath Mountains” (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf, 1995).

Characteristic series by lifeform include:
Grasslands: Montane meadow habitat, Subalpine meadow habitat.
Shrublands: Bush chinquapin series, Greenleaf manzanita series, Huckleberry oak series, Montane wetland shrub habitat, Montane wetland shrub habitat, Mountain heather - bilberry series, Mountain alder series, Sadler oak series, Sitka alder series, Subalpine upland shrub habitat. Subalpine wetland shrub habitat, Tobacco brush series, Wedgeleaf ceanothus series.
Forests and woodlands: Alaska yellow-cedar stands, Douglas-fir series, Incense-cedar series, Jeffrey pine series, Mountain hemlock series, Pacific silver fir stands, Red fir series, White fir series.

Surface Water.  Runoff is rapid.  It drains to the Applegate River on the north and to Indian Creek and other tributaries of the Klamath River on the south.  Many of the smaller streams on the southern sides of the mountains are dry by the end of summer. There are a few lakes, or ponds, in cirque and paternoster basins.