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This
subsection is in the Western Jurassic Belt. It is a narrow, arcuate
strip of land along the southwest edge of the Klamath Mountains that is
between South Fork Mountain fault on the southwest and the Bear Wallow
fault on the northeast. The climate is temperate and humid.
MLRA 5c.
Lithology and Stratigraphy. This subsection is dominated by clastic Jurassic marine sedimentary rocks of the Galice formation. These sedimentary rocks have been slightly metamorphosed to form metagraywacke and phyllite. There are small areas of serpentinized peridotite and Mesozoic granitic rocks in the subsection. The rocks are intensely folded and faulted.
Geomorphology. This is a subsection of mountains with rounded ridges, steep sides, and narrow canyons. The elevation range is about 1500 to 5000 feet. Mass wasting and fluvial erosion are the main geomorphic processes.
Soils. The soils are mostly Dystric and Dystric Lithic Xerochrepts, Ultic Haploxeralfs, and Typic Haploxerults. Shallow Dystric Xerochrepts on granitic rocks generally have paralithic contacts, rather than lithic contacts. The soils well drained. Soil temperature regimes are mesic. Soil moisture regimes are xeric.
Vegetation. The predominant natural plant communities are Douglas-fir series and Douglas-fir - tanoak series. White fir series occurs at the higher elevations. Canyon live oak series is common on very steep rocky slopes with stony soils. Oregon white oak series occurs on clayey soils and south-facing slopes at the lower elevations.
Surface Water. Runoff is rapid. It drains to the
South Fork Trinity River. Larger tributaries are perennial and smaller
streams are mostly ephemeral. There are no natural lakes in the subsection.
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