Preacher Meadows Research Natural Area Establishment Record

The dominant topographic characteristics of the area are the steep slopes and the two creeks that bisected them. Granite Creek flows into the RNA from the southwest side of section 17 and meets Swift creek in the northwest quarter of this same section. Swift Creek bisects the RNA and runs northwest to the southeast through section 17. At one location, Swift Creek has carved the bed rock into a 90 foot {27.4 m) deep gorge. Stream benches or flats exist along and above both banks of Swift Creek. Seeps and wet areas on these benches provide for a range of meadow types including dry meadow, moist meadow and Darlingtonia bogs. Darlingtonia californica and Cypripedium californicum are concentrated in these areas.