Church Dome Research Natural Area Establishment Record

The Church Dome Research Natural Area (CDRNA) is underlain primarily by granitic basement rocks. However, a small area long the southeastern boundary is Pleistocene basalt flow. This forms the top and sides of Black Mountain. The CDRNA occupies a part of the southeast-flowing Manter Creek drainage. This broad basin (up to 4 miles or 6.4 km wide) is rimmed on the northwest by the Sirretta Peak highlands (approximately 10,000 ft. 3048 m elevation), and the south by the precipitous battlements and spectacular chasms and escarpments of Church Dome. 

The RNA contains a large portion of the southern Manter Creek watershed. This is separated by a low, gently-sloping divide from the main branch to the north. Manter Creek empties into the Little Kern River. The highest slopes are shear granite cliffs. Below the spires of Church Dome and above 7600 ft. (2317 m), the area is steep and northeast-facing.