Vinegar Hill

Vinegar Hill proposed Research Natural Area (pRNA) was selected to represent subalpine big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) communities.  The pRNA covers the ridge summit of the Greenhorn Mountains, separating the Middle Fork John Day River and North Fork John Day River drainages. Rocky extensions run northeast on the west side of the pRNA while numerous small springs and seeps occur on both sides of the pRNA. Subalpine big sagebrush communities dominate the southern portion of Vinegar Hill while the remainder of the pRNA is covered with Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), alpine fleece flower (Polygonum), grouse huckleberry (Vaccinium scopparium), elk sedge (Carex garberi), and gland Indian paintbrush (Castilleja glandulifera).