West Creek

The West Creek RNA includes a rare, roadless, intact canyon ecosystem within Colorado's Front Range and includes high quality, well developed montane and lower subalpine riparian vegetation along portions of West and Fox Creeks. A large area of Douglas-fir/fivepetal cliffbush (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Jamesia americana) plant association is found on north-facing slopes in the RNA. Outstanding examples of ponderosa pine and open grassland (primarily Pinus ponderosa/Leucopoa kingii) occur on south-facing slopes. Limber pine occurs on ridge tops and lodgepole pine at higher elevations. This RNA is contiguous with the West Creek RNA in Rocky Mountain National Park, which protects the complete upper watersheds of West and Fox Creeks.