Horse Meadow Research Natural Area Establishment Record

The Horse Meadow Research Natural Area (HMRNA) is distinguished by its well-developed white fir forest, and Southern California subalpine forest. Located in the Transverse Ranges of California, the area represents one of the southernmost examples of these vegetation types. The area is contained within the Upper San Gorgonio Mountains Subsection of the Southern California Mountains and Valleys Section Ecological Units. It is underlain by mostly glaciated granodiorite rocks which form steep terrain. Moraine deposits are also present, but the most striking feature of the landscape are avalanche chutes which dominate the southern half of the RNA. The HMRNA provides researchers with unique opportunities to study the effects of avalanche and possibly to contrast them with disturbance by fire.