United States

Department

of Agriculture

Forest Service

Rocky Mountain

Research Station

General Technical Report 

RMRS-GTR-170WWW

March 2006

Establishment Record for 

the Wellner Cliffs Research 

Natural Area 

Priest River Experimental Forest 

Idaho Panhandle National Forests 

Bonner County, Idaho

Dennis E. Ferguson and Arthur C. Zack
Rocky Mountain Research Station

Publishing Services

Telephone (970) 498-1392

FAX (970) 498-1122

E-mail rschneider@fs.fed.us

Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/rm

Mailing Address Publications Distribution

Rocky Mountain Research Station

240 West Prospect Road

Fort Collins, CO 80526

Abstract _____________________________________

This publication is the establishment report for Wellner Cliffs Research Natural 

Area (RNA), located on the Priest River Experimental Forest, Idaho Panhandle 

National Forests. The RNA features vegetation on dry cliffs that are embedded 

in mid-elevation moist western hemlock/western redcedar/grand fir forests. Immediately below the cliffs is riparian habitat that supports many wetland species, 

including a disjunct west coast moss, Ulota megalospora, whose first known 

occurrence in Idaho is in this RNA. This establishment report documents the 

boundaries of the RNA, the objectives for the RNA, its features, description of 

values, and management prescription.

Keywords: research natural areas, natural areas, biodiversity, ecological 

processes, baseline monitoring, gene banks, reference streams

Ferguson, Dennis E.; Zack, Arthur C. 2006. Establishment record for the 

Wellner Cliffs Research Natural Area. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 

Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain 

Research Station. 40 p.

Dennis E. Ferguson is a Research Forester 

for the Rocky Mountain Research Station in 

Moscow, Idaho.

Arthur C. Zack is an Ecologist for the Idaho 

Panhandle National Forests in Coeur d’Alene, 

Idaho.

The Authors ______________________________________________________
Contents___________________________________________________

Page

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Land Management Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Justification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Principal Distinguishing Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Area by Cover Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Physical and Climatic Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Physical Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Climatic Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Description of Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Vegetation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Inventory of Vascular Plants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Other Plants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Potential Natural Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Fauna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Geology and Soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Lands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Cultural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Aquatic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Impacts and Possible Conflicts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Mineral Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Grazing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Timber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Watershed Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Recreation Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Wildlife and Plant Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Special Management Area Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Transportation Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Management Prescription. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Vegetation Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Administration Records and Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Archiving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Boundary Description Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Appendix A. Vascular Plant Species Found in the RNA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Appendix B. Probable Mammals and Birds in the RNA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Appendix C. Macroinvertebrate Taxa Found in the RNA (Rabe 1995). . . . . 33

Appendix D. Bryophytes Found on Lower Canyon Creek, 2001. . . . . . . . . . 34

Appendix E. Lichens Observed in the RNA, July 1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Appendix F. Boundary Description Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Appendix G. IPNF Landtype Mapping Unit Descriptions for the RNA. . . . 39
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 

Establishment Record for the 

Wellner Cliffs Research Natural Area

Priest River Experimental Forest

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Bonner County, Idaho

Dennis E. Ferguson and Arthur C. Zack

Introduction

The Wellner Cliffs Research Natural Area is located along lower Canyon 

Creek on the Priest River Experimental Forest, Idaho Panhandle National 

Forests, in northern Idaho. This Research Natural Area (RNA) features 

dry cliffs of gneiss, schist, and mica-influenced granitic rock, embedded in 

a matrix of mid-elevation moist western hemlock/western redcedar/grand 

fir (Tsuga heterophylla/Thuja plicata/Abies grandis) forests. Immediately 

below the cliffs is riparian habitat that includes wetland species such as 

devil’s club (Oplopanax horridum) and ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), 

several other riparian ferns such as grape fern (Botrychium virginianum) 

and woodferns (Dryopteris species), and numerous riparian forbs such 

as twisted-stalk (Streptopus amplexifolius), false bugbane (Trautvettaria 

caroliniensis), and crisp starwort (Stellaria crispa). Within the cliffs, habitats 

quickly change from mixed conifers on deep soils, to dry open ponderosa 

pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests, to shrub and grasslands on shallow soils, 

to exposed rocky cliffs with high lichen diversity.

The major use of the land and water in the vicinity of the RNA is for a 

variety of studies on the Priest River Experimental Forest (PREF). PREF, 

established in 1911, is 13 miles (21 km) north of Priest River, Idaho (fig. 

1). The size of PREF is 6,400 acres (2,590 ha), ranging in elevation from 

2,200 feet (670 m) along Priest River on the west to 5,900 feet (1,800 m) 

near Experimental Point. The objectives for PREF are research, demonstration, and education. All of these missions also require maintenance of 

some areas as untreated baselines of natural conditions and processes. 

The objectives for this RNA fit well within the objectives for PREF.

Land Management Planning

Charles A. (Chuck) Wellner (a former Forest Service researcher and 

former chair of the Northern Region RNA Committee) first identified this 

area as a potential RNA and drew preliminary boundaries (Wellner 1976). 

Since that time, the Rocky Mountain Research Station has reserved this as 
 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

a natural area, and active management has been excluded. In 1995, Fred 

Rabe (Professor Emeritus, University of Idaho) surveyed lower Canyon 

Creek and, based on aquatic and riparian criteria, he also nominated the 

area as a RNA. Russ Graham, scientist-in-charge of PREF, has encouraged the establishment of this RNA.

The 1987 Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) Forest Plan identifies 

both Experimental Forests and Research Natural Areas as a single Management Area (MA14) devoted to scientific research. The NEPA decision 

to include these lands within a Management Area for both Experimental 

Forests and Research Natural Area was made as part of the 1987 Forest 

Plan. Although this area was not specifically identified as a proposed RNA 

in the 1987 IPNF Forest Plan, it is included within the Forest Plan Management Area that was utilized for both RNA’s and Experimental Forests, and 

was already being managed as an Experimental Forest Natural Area. A 

NEPA 18.1 Consistency Evaluation (FSH 1909.15) will be included in Forest 

Planning records to document consistency of RNA establishment with that 

Forest Plan decision. All lands within this Management Area are classified 

as unsuitable for timber production, and these lands are not available for 

disposal. All lands within the Experimental Forest are closed to mineral 

entry. Establishing these lands as a RNA at this time would not involve any 

change in Forest Plan Management Area, Timber Suitability, availability 

for mineral entry, or land availability for disposal. It involves no change in 

management of the Experimental Forest, because the area was already 

being reserved as a natural area. It involves no change in National Forest 

outputs of any kind, and is fully consistent with the research purpose of 

this Forest Plan Management Area.

Objectives

Wellner Cliffs RNA will contribute to a national network of ecological areas 

dedicated to research, monitoring, education, and maintenance of biological 

diversity. As explained below, this RNA contributes to filling identified missing gaps in the representativeness of the Idaho and Northern Region RNA 

network, as well as capturing some rare or unique ecological features. A 

major RNA objective is to maintain and preserve the various terrestrial and 

aquatic ecosystems in as near an undisturbed (by humans) condition as 

possible. The RNA will serve as a reference area for the study of ecological 

processes, not only as part of the overall RNA system, but also as a reference area for studies on adjacent parts of the Experimental Forest.

Justification

This RNA satisfies requirements for targets identified by the USDA Forest 

Service, Northern Region. The publication, Representative Assessment of 

Research Natural Areas on National Forest system Lands in Idaho (Rust 

2000), uses a grid of potential natural vegetation (habitat types) stratified 

by Ecological Section to stratify and assess RNA needs. This approach is 
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 

consistent with the Forest Service ECOMAP ecological land classification 

system (McNab and Avers 1994, Nesser and others 1997), and Forest 

Service RNA objectives (FSM 4063). Priest River is within the Okanogan 

Highlands Subsection M333A. This assessment publication identifies the 

ponderosa pine/ninebark (Pinus ponderosa/Physocarpus malvaceus), 

ponderosa pine/snowberry (Pinus ponderosa/Symphoricarpos albus), 

ponderosa pine/Idaho fescue (Pinus ponderosa/Festuca idahoensis), 

Douglas-fir/snowberry (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Symphoricarpos albus),

Douglas-fir/pinegrass (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Calamagrostis rubescens)

and grand fir/ninebark (Abies grandis/Physocarpus malvaceus) habitat 

types as totally missing from the RNA network in the Okanogan Highlands 

Subsection M333A, and as Priority 1 (in a five priority system) for filling 

these gaps. The Douglas-fir/ninebark (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Physocarpus 

malvaceus) habitat type is lacking to seriously under-represented, and is 

Priority 2 for filling these gaps. The shallow soil areas on and adjacent to 

the cliffs form a very fine-grained mosaic that is dominated by a mix of 

these very habitat types, interspersed with small patches of dry grassy 

openings, and bare rock.

In addition to preserving pristine representatives of important vegetation 

and aquatic communities, RNA objectives also include preserving “...natural 

situations that have special or unique characteristics of scientific interest ...” 

(FSM 4063.02). The features identified below contribute to this objective.

The main feature of the RNA is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of cliffs 

adjacent to and north of Canyon Creek. The cliffs, adjacent dry forest slopes, 

and adjacent talus slopes—with moist forest slopes immediately above the 

cliffs and wet riparian area immediately below—together form a diverse 

complex. Several features of these cliffs are unique and this complex is 

poorly represented elsewhere in the northern Idaho RNA network:

• Uncommonly steep environmental gradients under geological control 

result in extremely close proximity of very wet to very dry habitats and 

vegetation communities. The rate of change within a small area is remarkably swift. Habitat types change from wet western redcedar/devil’s 

club to dry Douglas-fir/ninebark, to grass slopes and, finally, to bare 

rock within a few hundred feet.

• Bryophyte and lichen diversity is unusually high on the cliffs and adjacent talus slopes. Both the high level and type of diversity is not well 

represented within the RNA network.

• A moss found in 2001 within the RNA is the first documented occurrence in Idaho. Ulota megalospora is a west coast disjunct species 

that is an epiphyte on deciduous trees and immature conifers.

• The ruggedness and complexity of the cliffs makes them difficult to 

fully survey. The complexity of these habitats, combined with the steep 

environmental gradients create the possibility that there are addition 

rare vascular plants, mosses, and lichens inhabiting the rock surfaces, 

crevices, and overhangs. The jumbled large rocks that have fallen at the 

base of the cliffs may serve as dens for cougars and black bears.
 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

• The dry slopes immediately adjacent to and interspersed with the cliffs 

contain scattered old-growth ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and western 

larch displaying multiple fire scars. Forest understories in these areas 

are dominated by low shrubs and native forbs and grasses, without 

excessive weed invasion. This type of high quality representation of 

historic dry forests has become rare, and is very poorly represented 

in the northern Idaho RNA network.

A secondary feature of the RNA is the stretch of Canyon Creek and its 

riparian area. The stretch of Canyon Creek that is included in the RNA is 

a good choice for a reference site that can be compared with impacted 

streams of similar size and flow (Rabe 1995). Bottom substrate is rated 

high due to excellent instream conditions consisting of ample rubble, cobble 

and gravel, undercut banks, and submerged logs (Rabe 1995).

Principal Distinguishing Features

The RNA primarily protects ecosystems in and adjacent to the cliffs, which 

run in an east-west direction just above Canyon Creek on the north side. 

The cliffs face south, with vertical drops as much as 200 feet (61 m). Below 

and immediately adjacent to the cliffs are riparian ecosystems. Above the 

cliffs are ecosystems representative of the drier end of western hemlock 

and grand fir habitat types; however, some of the springs and intermittent 

streams above the cliffs still support wet-site species such as devil’s club 

and wild ginger (Asarum caudatum).

Location

Figures 2 and 3 show the location of Wellner Cliffs RNA. The RNA is 

located within PREF, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, in northern Idaho. 

The center of the RNA is approximately at latitude 48° 22’ north and longitude 116° 45’ west. It is in T58N, R3W, Sections 18, 19, and 20; and T58N, 

R4W, Section 24.

Area

The RNA encompasses 307 acres (124 ha).

Elevations

Elevations range from 2,460 feet (750 m) where Canyon Creek exits the 

RNA to 3,800 feet (1,160 m) at the northeast boundary (fig. 4).

Access

Wellner Cliffs RNA is accessible by sedan during the summer months via 

gravel roads. After driving to PREF, follow the 597-G road (the “G” road) 

2.6 miles (4.2 km) to the point where G road crosses Canyon Creek. This 

is where Canyon Creek exits the RNA and a trail up Canyon Creek begins. 

The trail up Canyon Creek is an abandoned section of the 597-F road 
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 

(the “F” road). The G road is the northern boundary for most of the RNA. 

Portions of Trail 8 and Trail 12 are the southern boundary of the RNA. The 

trail up the abandoned section of the F road, along with portions of Trail 

8 and Trail 12 that form the southern boundary, was cleared of windfall in 

the summer of 2001.

Figure 1—Location of PREF relative to the town of Priest River, Idaho.
 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Figure 2—Map of PREF.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 

Figure 3—Location of Wellner Cliffs RNA within PREF.
 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Figure 4—Elevation contour lines for Wellner Cliffs RNA. Lines show 5-meter 

contours generated from a 10-meter digital elevation model.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 

Figure 5—Forest cover type map of Wellner Cliffs RNA.
10 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Figure 6—Habitat type map of Wellner Cliffs RNA.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 11

Figure 7—Landtype map of Wellner Cliffs RNA.
12 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Figure 8—Map of boundary corners that correspond to the boundary description.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 13

View from the cliffs, looking into Canyon Creek.

Aerial photograph of Wellner Cliffs RNA and surrounding area.
14 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Panoramic photograph of the cliffs, looking east.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 15

Riparian area near where Canyon Creek exits the RNA.

View of cliffs from below, with ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir 

trees on top of cliffs (photo by Connie Ferguson).
16 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Area by Cover Types

The most detailed and intensive sampling of habitat types and cover 

types at PREF was reported by Daubenmire (1973) (also Wellner 1976). 

Unfortunately, Daubenmire did not map the northern portion of PREF that 

includes the RNA.

Reconnaissance surveys, stand examinations, and mapping have helped 

determine forest cover types (fig. 5) and habitat types (fig. 6). The following 

forest cover type information is from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests 

(IPNF) Timber Stand Management Record System (TSMRS).

 

Forest cover type Acres Hectares

ponderosa pine 99 40

Douglas-fir 115 47

grand fir 1 0.4

western redcedar 61 25

western hemlock 31 13

Fire scarred old-growth ponderosa pine tree, above the cliffs.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 17

The mapped ponderosa pine forest cover type area is actually a very 

fine-grained mosaic that is dominated by ponderosa pine, but also has 

inclusions of Douglas-fir, low shrubs, open grass/forb, and rock outcroppings that support lichens and mosses. The forest cover types are USFS 

Northern Region forest types, which are a very close derivative of the 

Society of American Foresters (1980) Forest Cover Types.

Landtypes are shown in figure 7 and described in Appendix G. More 

information about landtypes on the IPNF can be found in Nesser and 

others (1997).

Physical and Climatic Conditions

Physical Conditions

The Wellner Cliffs RNA is mostly a southern exposure, but the riparian 

area also includes north-facing slopes on the south side of Canyon Creek. 

Several small drainages flow into Canyon Creek, which results in riparian 

communities following the small drainages up from Canyon Creek. For 

example, devil’s club and wild ginger are found 1/4 mile (0.4 km) from 

Canyon Creek on south-facing slopes. Topography is gentle along Canyon 

Creek, extremely steep in the cliffs (with numerous vertical drop-offs), with 

moderate slopes above the cliffs.

Climatic Conditions

Long-term climatological weather data are available for PREF. The 

following data have been recorded:

• Weather station near the headquarters, yearlong, since 1912.

• Snow courses at Benton Meadow and Benton Spring, since 1939.

• Benton Creek stream gauge, since 1939.

In addition, several research studies have collected climate data at various 

locations throughout PREF. The following climatic summary of PREF is 

quoted from Finklin (1983):

The climate of the Priest River area, like that of other places, is controlled 

by a combination of large-scale and small-scale factors, whose effects may 

vary with the time of year. The large-scale factors here include latitude, 

relative position on the North American continent, prevailing hemispheric 

wind patterns, and extensive mountain barriers. Small-scale or local factors 

include the topographic setting and position (valley, slope, or ridge location), as well as orientation or aspect, and vegetative cover. Elevation may 

cover various scales.

Broadly, the Priest River-Idaho panhandle climate is transitional between 

a northern Pacific coastal type and a continental type. The Pacific influence is noted particularly by the late autumn and winter maximum in 

cloudiness and precipitation; also in the relatively moderate average 

winter temperatures compared with areas east of the Rocky Mountains. 
18 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Summer is characteristically sunny and dry, though July and August are 

the only distinct summer months. July and August are thus also the peak 

fire-danger months.

Annual precipitation (rain and melted snow) averages 32 inches (817 mm) 

at the Forest headquarters; about 50 inches (1,270 mm) at locations near 

5,500 ft (1,675 m) elevation. Wettest months are normally November, 

December, and January. Close to 60 percent of the annual total occurs 

during the period November through March. A slight, secondary peak 

in precipitation normally appears in May and June, followed by a sharp 

decrease in July. Snowfall accounts for more than 50 percent of the total 

precipitation at elevations above 4,800 ft (1 460 m). Snow cover usually 

persists in the valley from early December through the end of March; 

seasonal maximum depth averages 30 inches (75 cm). High-elevation 

snowpack reaches a depth of 5 ft (1.5 m) or more in March and April and 

may linger into June.

The main season of lightning (or thunderstorm) activity extends from late 

May through August. Storms occur within the Priest River vicinity on an 

average of 3 or 4 days each in June, July, and August.

Monthly mean temperatures at headquarters range from 24 °F (–4 °C) in 

January to 65 °F (18 °C) in July; these are midpoint values between the 

average daily maximum and minimum temperatures (based on a 5 p.m. 

observation time). The annual mean is 44 °F (7 °C). A large diurnal range 

occurs in summer, with July maximum temperatures averaging 83 °F 

(28 °C); January maximums average 30 °F (–1 °C). Site differences in the 

valley, as related to coverage by timber canopy, can make a difference of 

close to 10 °F (6 °C) in summertime diurnal range. Extreme temperatures 

have been as high as 103 ° to 105 °F (about 40 °C) and as low as –36 °F 

(–38 °C). Temperature inversions are commonplace, particularly on a clear 

summer and early autumn nights. The July mean temperature at Gisborne 

Lookout is only 4 °F lower than at headquarters (3,200 ft [975 m] lower in 

elevation), due to daily minimums averaging 4 °F higher.

The frost-free season, defined as the period with minimum temperatures staying above 32 °F (0 °C), has an average length in the valley 

of 96 days at headquarters but only 65 days in a clearcut area (at 

the former fire-weather station); close to 120 days under a full timber 

canopy. The season is longer at adjacent slope locations, particularly 

in the “thermal belt” around 3,500 ft (1,070 m) but is less than 100 days 

again at 5,500 ft (1,675 m).

Relative humidity is usually high throughout the day in late autumn and 

winter, averaging 70 to 80 percent or higher in mid-afternoon. In July 

and August, afternoon values average near 35 percent in the valley and 

45 percent at 5,500 ft. Humidity below 20 percent was observed in the 

clearcut on about 20 percent of the days from late July to late August. 

Summer nighttime humidity in the valley typically recovers to over 90 to 

95 percent by dawn. On the slopes above the temperature inversion, at 

the same time, humidity may average only 50 to 60 percent.

Winds in this area have a prevailing (most frequent) direction from the 

southwest during all or most of the year. Local terrain effects modify the 

larger-scale wind that occurs in the adjacent free atmosphere. A nighttime 
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 19

drainage effect is indicated in the headquarters area by a prevailing early 

morning wind direction from the northwest during the fire-weather season. 

Observed windspeeds are quite low throughout the year in the valley area, 

due in part to the sheltering by surrounding timber. Summer afternoon winds 

at 20 ft (6 m) above ground in the clearcut average 3 to 4 mi/h (5-6 km/h); 

nearby above the treetops, about 6 mi/h (10 km/h); at mountaintop locations, 

about 9 mi/h (15 km/h).

Two summers of continuous wind recording at Gisborne Lookout showed 

highest average speeds around midnight, between 10 and 11 mi/h (17 km/h); a 

minimum in late morning. This pattern is nearly opposite of that observed 

in the valley.

Sunshine duration is at a minimum in December, when it may average 

only 20 percent of the maximum possible, giving a monthly total of about 

50 hours; this is estimated from adjacent stations. July has close to 80 

percent of the maximum possible, with about 375 hours of sunshine in 

fully exposed locations.

Description of Values

Vegetation

Plant species diversity within Wellner Cliffs RNA is high due to the large 

number of different habitat types that are intimately intermixed. The very 

steep environmental gradients and fine-scale mosaic in and around the 

cliffs result in very high species diversity per unit area. Even within the cliffs 

there are microsites occupied by plants indicative of wet habitats—western 

redcedar, wild ginger, ladyfern, baneberry (Actaea rubra), and devil’s club. 

These occur within a few feet of dry habitats that support species such as 

ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), snowberry, Idaho fescue, 

and bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum).

Inventory of Vascular Plants

The Idaho Native Plant Society compiled a species list of vascular plants on 

July 26 and 27, 1997, which covered the western 1/3 of the RNA (Appendix A).

Other Plants

Mosses and lichens were inventoried along the lower section of Canyon 

Creek within the RNA in September of 2001. During this inventory, the 

moss Ulota megalospora was recorded for the first time in Idaho. A list 

of species encountered during the survey is included in Appendix D. Appendix E lists lichens observed by Mike Hays (USFS botanist) at Wellner 

Cliffs RNA in July 1997.

Potential Natural Community

Potential Natural Community is mapped using the Habitat Type system 

initially developed by Daubenmire (1952) and updated by Cooper and others (1991). Habitat types within the cliffs are best described as a “complex” 
20 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

because of the extremely rapid changes from wet to dry habitat types. 

The Wellner Cliffs RNA contains the following habitat types obtained from 

inventory records in the IPNF Timber Stand Management Record System 

(TSMRS). See figure 6 for a map of these habitat types in the RNA.

 

Habitat type series Abbreviation Acres Hectares

Pseudotsuga menziesii PSME 99 40

Abies grandis ABGR 112 45

Thuja plicata THPL 12 5

Tsuga heterophylla TSHE 84 34

The area classified Douglas-fir (PSME) series is actually a fine-grained 

mosaic of Douglas-fir/snowberry, Douglas-fir/ninebark, Douglas-fir/pinegrass, ponderosa pine/ninebark, ponderosa pine/snowberry, and ponderosa 

pine/Idaho fescue habitat types, plus dry grassland inclusions, and rock 

outcroppings that support lichens and mosses.

Fauna

Mammals and birds in the RNA have not been comprehensively inventoried. Appendix B contains a list of mammals and birds likely to be found 

in the RNA. These species are typically found in northern Idaho forests 

at these elevations.

During an October 2002 site visit, several pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus 

pileatus) were observed using the area. Pileated woodpeckers are designated 

as an indicator species in the 1987 Forest Plan for the Idaho Panhandle 

National Forests.

Geology and Soils

(This section on Geology and Soils provided by Gerald J. Niehoff, Soil 

Scientist, IPNF, Dec. 2, 2002.)

The Wellner Cliffs RNA has three distinct components in relation to 

landtype, geology and soils:

Forest—The major component consists of forested, south-facing mountain 

slopes and ridges, which occur above the cliffs. Most of this area is 0 to 40 

percent slope.

The geology is extremely heterogeneous, it includes mica influenced 

granitic rock, schist, and gneiss.

The dominant soils have volcanic ash influenced surface layers 10 to 20 

inches (25 to 50 cm) thick. This layer is silt loam textured and has 10 to 

40 percent rock fragments. Subsoils are weakly to moderately weathered, 

soil textures range from loamy sand to sandy clay loam and have 20 to 60 

percent rock fragments. The substratum material is lighter textured, generally loamy sand to sandy loam and has 30 to 65 percent rock fragments.

Cliffs—The unique component of this RNA is the cliffs. The cliffs consist 

of a very steep, dissected, south facing stream breakland, which is a mix 

of non-timbered rock outcrop, shallow soil sites, and timbered or partially 
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 21

timbered draws. A breakland is the steep part of a V-shaped drainage, 

which is the result of the down-cutting of a major stream through the surrounding geology or along a fault zone. Most of the cliff area has 60 to 

100+ percent slopes.

The geology of this component also includes mica influenced granitic 

rock, gneiss, and schist.

This component is a complex, which consists of rock outcrop and soils 

ranging from shallow to deep. The surface silt loam volcanic ash layer 

has depths ranging from a few inches on the shallow exposed sites to 20 

inches (50 cm) in the draws and concave portions of this landscape. The 

lower part of the surface volcanic ash layer contains 30 to 70 percent rock 

fragments. Sandy loam or loamy sand subsoil textures are associated with 

soils underlain by granite and gneiss, and these subsoils contain 40 to 75 

percent rock fragments. The substratum textures are also typically sandy 

loam or loamy sand and the percent rock fragment content ranges from 

50 to 95 percent.

Riparian—The third component of the RNA is the riparian bottom of 

Canyon Creek and the north-facing, forested, toeslopes and breaklands. 

This component has slopes ranging from 5 to 80 percent.

The geology of this component is also a mixture of granitic rock, gneiss, 

and schist.

The soils in the stream bottom are stratified sand, gravel, and cobble. 

The soils on the toeslopes and breaklands have volcanic ash influenced 

surface layers 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) thick. The ash is silt loam 

textured and has 15 to 45 percent rock fragments. Subsoils are weakly to 

moderately weathered, with soil textures ranging from loamy sand to sandy 

clay loam, and have 20 to 60 percent rock fragments. The substratum 

material is lighter textured, generally loamy sand to sandy loam and has 

25 to 75 percent rock fragments.

The surface volcanic ash layers, which occur in all three of the RNA components, was derived from the eruption of Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake, Oregon) 

approximately 6,850 years ago (Bacon 1983). The ash increases the water 

and nutrient holding capacity of the soil, dramatically increasing the productivity of these soils. The ash deposited on the cliffs was redistributed through 

wind and water, with the greatest accumulation occurring in the draws and 

concave depressions. This variation in ash deposition helps account for the 

intermixing of wet and dry habitat types within the cliffs.

Lands

The RNA is entirely National Forest land; furthermore, the RNA is located 

within the Priest River Experimental Forest. These lands are designated 

for research, both by the order establishing the Experimental Forest, and 

by the 1987 IPNF Forest Plan (which includes experimental forests and 

RNA’s in the same management area). These lands are already withdrawn 

from mineral entry, not available for disposal, and classified in the Forest 

Plan as unsuitable for timber production. There are no outstanding rights 

on the RNA.
22 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Approximately 0.35 mile (0.56 km) along the northern border of the RNA 

is adjacent to land owned by the State of Idaho. The State land is managed 

primarily for timber production.

Cultural

Only a few cultural sites are known to exist on the RNA. An abandoned 

section of F road extends about 0.25 mile (0.4 km) into the RNA along 

Canyon Creek. This section of road has scattered windfallen timber in the 

roadbed. Sections of the windfalls are periodically removed to provide a 

trail on the abandoned roadbed.

At the end of the abandoned section of F road is a circa 1930s Civilian 

Conservation Corps (CCC) temporary camp. The ground was leveled in 

one place, probably for a tent. The flat area has naturally re-vegetated and 

blends in with the surrounding vegetation.

The CCC crew thinned dense stands of timber in the winter of 1938-1939 

on the south side of Canyon Creek (Wellner and others 1951). About 25 acres 

(10 ha) were thinned in long narrow strips interspersed with unthinned strips, 

and 36 sample plots were installed. About four acres (1.6 ha) of these thinned 

stands are included within the RNA boundary. No cutting has been done for 

this study since 1939 and the plots have not been remeasured. The understory of the thinned areas have since filled in with natural regeneration. No 

further treatments are planned for this area, and nothing further is anticipated 

for the portion included in the RNA.

The impacts from this old thinning experiment are relatively light. The old 

treatments do not appear to have any impact on the functioning of Canyon 

Creek or its riparian area. A portion of the treated area was included within 

RNA boundaries because these lands contribute to the integrity of the 

Canyon Creek and its riparian area, which is one of the RNA features.

A small footbridge has been constructed, which crosses Canyon Creek 

at the end of the abandoned F road. The bridge allows access from the F 

road to Trail 8 without disturbing the stream. The footbridge will be periodically maintained.

The S2 road dead-ends just inside the RNA (fig. 3). The road is overgrown 

with conifer regeneration and is no longer drivable. The section of the S2 

road within the RNA is abandoned and will not be reopened.

Aquatic

Fred Rabe conducted a survey of lower Canyon Creek in 1995 (Rabe 

1995). The surveyed portion of the stream was the last 0.3 miles (0.5 km) of 

Canyon Creek before it exits the RNA. In this section of the stream, Canyon 

Creek is a 2nd order stream with v-shaped valley form and 4 to 6% gradient. 

Stream size is five to 15 ft (1.5 to 4.6 m), averaging 11 ft (3.4 m). Sinuosity 

index is 1.3 (average) with many debris dams caused by windthrown trees 

falling into the stream. This riffle-pool stream had a pH 7.3 and 45 °F (7.2 °C) 

temperature on September 25, 1995. Canopy coverage was estimated at 

60 to 75% of the channel shaded by vegetation, which consisted mostly of 

shrubs and conifers.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 23

A total of 40 macroinvertebrate taxa were found in the RNA (Appendix C). 

A low biotic index was calculated from these data, indicating the macroinvertebrate community is quite intolerant of poor water quality conditions. Thus, 

Canyon Creek is a very good example of an undisturbed stream with high 

water quality conditions.

In his summary, Rabe noted that lower Canyon Creek would be a good 

choice as a reference site for comparison with impacted streams of similar 

size and flow. Further, he recommended that “lower Canyon Creek reach 

be proposed as a Research Natural Area with the Forest Service.”

Impacts and Possible Conflicts

Mineral Resources

Wellner Cliffs RNA has a low potential for minerals. No mining activity has 

occurred within the RNA and none is planned. The Experimental Forest 

has already been withdrawn from mineral entry, and the RNA is entirely 

within the Experimental Forest.

Grazing

The RNA and PREF are not open to grazing by domestic livestock. 

Grazing is prohibited within the RNA. Trespass by domestic livestock onto 

PREF is rare.

Timber

The 1987 IPNF Forest Plan classified all Experimental Forests and Research Natural Areas as unsuitable for timber production. Because both 

RNA’s and experimental forests are in the same Forest Plan Management 

Area, RNA designation has no impact on this status.

About 75% of the RNA, or 230 acres (93 ha), is potentially capable of 

producing commercial timber products. The only evidence of timber harvest 

is the four acres (1.6 ha) of CCC thinnings done in 1938 and 1939 and a 

few hazard trees removed along the G road. Woodcutting is not allowed 

on PREF, but occasional trees have been illegally removed adjacent to 

roads. A few trees were cut a number of years ago on the flat area near 

the G road in the extreme northeast corner of Section 24, probably the 

result of illegal firewood cutting.

Conifer species in the RNA are grand fir, western larch (Larix occidentalis), lodgepole pine, western white pine (Pinus monticola), ponderosa 

pine, Douglas-fir, western redcedar, and western hemlock. About 1857, 

a large wildfire swept across much of Benton Creek and most of Canyon 

Creek (Wellner and others 1951). Some older/larger trees survived the fire 

and reseeded the area. Most of the trees are about 140 years old, with 

scattered remnants of the older forest still alive. Some trees within and 

adjacent to the cliff complex are substantially older and have multiple fire 

scars, indicating that they have survived numerous fires.
24 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Watershed Values

Almost all of Canyon Creek is within PREF, so there is little chance that 

stream degradation will occur. The major watershed values are protection 

of fish habitat, protection of clean water, and maintenance of ecosystem 

processes in the riparian zone.

Recreation Values

There is very little recreational use of PREF in general. Hunting occurs 

for deer, elk, bear, cougar, moose, and grouse; however, hunters rarely 

camp within the boundaries of PREF. Snowmobilers use the roads during 

the winter.

The cliffs are the main aesthetic attraction for recreation. Access to the 

cliffs is easy along portions of the G road. Although the scenic views from 

the cliffs are good, they are not spectacular, and are not considered “tourist 

attractions. ” There is no evidence that the cliffs have been used for rock 

climbing. The ruggedness of the cliffs is a deterrent to recreational hiking, 

and precludes mechanized access in their immediate area.

The trail up the abandoned section of F road, and its extension up Canyon 

Creek along Trail 12, provides hiking through old growth forests. Wellner (1976) 

reported that there are some scenic rapids and falls in Canyon Creek.

Wildlife and Plant Values

There are few examples of cliffs like these that occur in mid-elevation 

forests. Similar cliffs that may occur in northern Idaho are unlikely to be 

surrounded by undisturbed mid-elevation forests. It is even more unlikely 

that similar cliffs surrounded by undisturbed mid-elevation forests are already included in the RNA network.

The microclimate changes rapidly because of differences in soil depth, 

soil parent material, available water, and nutrients. The very steep environmental gradients in and adjacent to these cliffs provide for an unusually 

high diversity of habitats and plant species within a very small area.

The cliffs likely provide important subnivean sites (for hibernation and/or 

dens) to cougars, bears, bobcats, and small mammals. Birds of prey use the 

cliffs as hunting sites. The dry, open slopes of the cliffs also provide important 

habitat for other animals that cannot live within closed canopy forests.

Special Management Area Values

Wellner Cliffs RNA is not in an area recommended for wilderness designation or Wild and Scenic River designation. The 1987 IPNF Forest Plan does 

not recommend any special designation for this area, other than research, 

in a Management Area dedicated to experimental forests and RNA’s.

Transportation Plans

The G road and PREF boundary delineate the northern boundary of the RNA. 

No additional roads are planned for this area. The G road is gravel and open 
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 25

during spring, summer, and fall. Periodically the road surface is smoothed and 

culverts are maintained. Shrubs encroach along the roadcut and roadfill, making 

it necessary to cut back the roadside vegetation about every 10 years.

If funds are available, the following trails will be maintained: the trail 

on the abandoned section of F road, the footbridge that crosses Canyon 

Creek at the end of the F road, and those portions of Trail 8 and Trail 12 

that are the southern boundary of the RNA. The purpose of maintaining 

these trails and footbridge is access for administration of the RNA and 

access for scientific studies. Trails will be posted with signs prohibiting 

mechanized vehicles.

Management Prescription

The following management prescriptions are identified to ensure that high 

representative quality of biological and physical elements are maintained 

within the RNA. Management and protection will be directed toward maintaining natural ecological processes. Human activities that disturb or modify 

ecological processes will not be permitted. Livestock grazing, fuelwood 

gathering, and timber harvesting are not permitted within the RNA.

General recreational use of the RNA will not be encouraged. Motorized 

and mechanized vehicle use is not permitted within the RNA.

Wildfire will be actively suppressed. The Rocky Mountain Research Station Director and Forest Supervisor may approve plans for management of 

prescribed fire and determine appropriate management response to natural 

ignition. Fire suppression will use methods and equipment that minimize 

disturbance of the RNA. Use of heavy equipment in suppression efforts 

is prohibited. Use of chemical fire retardants on the RNA is discouraged. 

Post-fire rehabilitation is not recommended within the RNA, except to 

control alien weeds.

Pest management and alien weed control will be as specific as possible 

against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of 

the area. No measures for control of insects or diseases will be undertaken 

unless forests on adjacent lands are endangered and the Rocky Mountain 

Research Station Director and Forest Supervisor approve plans for specific 

control measures. Precautions will be taken to avoid the introduction of alien 

plants or animals into the RNA. If invasive alien plants are discovered within 

the RNA, measures may be taken to control or eradicate these populations. 

There is currently a vigorous population of spotted knapweed (Centaurea 

maculosa) growing along the G road, with some encroachment into the RNA. 

All noxious weed control measures that are undertaken must be consistent 

with the noxious weed EIS current for this portion of the Idaho Panhandle 

National Forests, and give appropriate consideration to protecting the natural 

features and vegetation of the RNA.

Special use permits for collection and harvest of special forest products 

within the RNA are not allowed.

The RNA is entirely within the Experimental Forest, which has already 

been withdrawn from mineral entry.
26 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Vegetation Management

Fire plays an important ecological role in maintaining the integrity of some 

forest communities of northern Idaho—particularly on dry sites like those 

within and adjacent to the cliffs. Some vegetation management may be 

needed to allow fire to play its historic role in maintaining the ecological 

integrity of forest types within the RNA. Prescribed fires are not without 

risk. Prior to execution of a prescribed fire or any vegetation management activity related to maintaining natural processes, a plan detailing 

the objectives of prescribed fire use, proposed fire prescription, operation 

precautions, and criteria for evaluation of attainment will be approved by 

the Rocky Mountain Station Director and Forest Supervisor.

Administration Records and Protection

Administration and protection of Wellner Cliffs RNA will be the responsibility of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The District Ranger, Priest 

Lake Ranger District, has direct responsibility.

Requests to conduct research in the RNA should be referred to the Director of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, who will evaluate research 

proposals and coordinate all studies and research in the RNA. All plant 

and animal specimens collected in the course of research conducted in 

the RNA will be properly preserved and maintained within the University 

of Idaho herbarium, or Federal agency herbaria and museums, approved 

by the Rocky Mountain Research Station Director.

Records for the RNA will be maintained in the following offices:

• Regional Forester, Missoula, Montana

• Forest Supervisor, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Coeur d’Alene, 

Idaho

• District Ranger, Priest Lake Ranger District, Priest River, Idaho

• Director, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ft. Collins, Colorado

• Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 

Moscow, Idaho

Archiving

The Moscow Forestry Sciences Laboratory of the Rocky Mountain Research 

Station will be responsible for maintaining the Wellner Cliffs RNA research 

data file, including studies conducted in the RNA, lists of plant and animal 

species and plant communities occurring in the RNA, and lists of herbarium 

and museum species collected. Updated lists of research studies conducted, 

and lists of plant and animal species and plant communities will periodically 

be forwarded to the Regional Forester and IPNF Forest Supervisor for inclusion in their local copies of Wellner Cliffs RNA files.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 27

Boundary Description Certification

The boundary description is in Appendix F and a map of the legal boundaries can be found in figure 8.

References

Bacon, C. R. 1983. Eruptive history of Mount Mazama and Crater Lake caldera, Cascade 

Range, USA. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 18:57-155.

Cooper, S. V.; K. E. Neiman; D. W. Roberts. Revised 1991. Forest habitat types of 

northern Idaho: a second approximation. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-236. Ogden, UT: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 143 p.

Daubenmire, R. 1952. Forest vegetation of northern Idaho and adjacent Washington, 

and its bearing on concepts of vegetation classification. Ecol. Mono. 22:301-330.

Daubenmire, R. 1973. A comparison of approaches to the mapping of forest land for 

intensive management. The Forestry Chronicle. 49:87-91.

Finklin, A. I. 1983. Climate of Priest River Experimental Forest, northern Idaho. Gen. 

Tech Rep. INT-159. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 53 p.

Forest Service. 2005. Forest Service Manual 4063.02. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC.

McNab, W. H., and P. E. Avers (comp). 1994. Ecological subregions of the United 

States: section descriptions. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. Admin. Pub. 

WO-WSA-5. 267 p.

Nesser, J. A., G. L. Ford, C. L. Maynard, and D. S. Page-Dumroese. 1997. Ecological 

units of the Northern Region: subsections, first approximation. Intermountain Research 

Station. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-369. 88 p.

Rabe, F. W. 1995. Survey of lower Canyon Creek located in the Priest River Experimental 

Forest, Idaho. 14 p.

Rust, S. K. 2000. Representativeness assessment of research natural areas on National 

Forest System lands in Idaho. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-45. Ft. Collins, CO: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 129 p.

Society of American Foresters. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. 

Eyre, F. H., ed. Society of American Foresters. Washington, DC. 148 p.

Wellner, C. A. 1976. Frontiers of forestry research—Priest River Experimental Forest 

1911-1976. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain 

Forest and Range Experiment Station. 148 p.

Wellner, C. A.; Watt, R. F.; Helmers, A. E. 1951. What to see and where to find it on the 

Priest River Experimental Forest. Misc. Pub. 3. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment 

Station. 86 p.
28 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Appendix A. Vascular Plant Species Found 

in the RNA

Scientific Name Riparian Lower Slope Cliffs Upper Slope

Trees

Abies grandis x x x x

Betula papyrifera x x

Larix occidentalis x x x

Pinus contorta x

Pinus monticola x x x x

Pinus ponderosa x x

Pseudotsuga menziesii x x x x

Thuja plicata x x x x

Tsuga heterophylla x x x

Shrubs

Acer glabrum x x x x

Alnus incana x x

Alnus sinuata x

Amelanchier alnifolia x x x

Berberis aquifolium x

Berberis repens x x

Betula papyrifera x

Ceanothus sanguineus x

Ceanothus velutinus x x

Chimaphila umbellata x x x

Cornus stolonifera x

Holodiscus discolor x x

Linnaea borealis x x x x

Lonicera ciliosa x x x

Lonicera utahensis x x

Oplopanax horridum x x x

Pachistima myrsinites x x x x

Rhamnus purshiana x x

Physocarpus malvaceus x x

Prunus emarginata x

Prunus virginiana x

Ribes lacustre x x

Rosa gymnocarpa x x x x

Rubus idaeus x

Rubus parviflorus x x x

Salix scouleriana x

Sorbus scopulina x

Spiraea betulifolia x x x x

Symphoricarpos albus x x x

Vaccinium membranaceum x x x

Forbs

Achillea millefolium x x

Aconitum columbianum x

Actaea rubra x x

Adenocaulon bicolor x x x x

Anaphalis margaritacea x

Antennaria luzuloides x

Antennaria racemosa x

Apocynum androsaemifolium x x
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 29

Arabis holboellii x

Aralia nudicaulis x x x x

Arenaria macrophylla x x

Arnica cordifolia x

Arnica latifolia x

Asarum caudatum x x x

Aster conspicuus x x

Campanula rotundifolia x x

Cardamine pennsylvanica x

Centaurea maculosa x

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum x x

Circaea alpina x

Clarkia pulchella x

Clintonia uniflora x x x x

Collinsia parviflora x

Collomia grandiflora x

Coptis occidentalis x

Corallorhiza maculata x

Corallorhiza mertensiana x

Corallorhiza trifida x

Cornus canadensis x x

Disporum hookeri x x x

Disporum trachycarpum x x

Epilobium angustifolium x x

Epilobium minutum x

Filago arvensis x

Fragaria vesca x x x

Fragaria virginiana x x

Galium triforum x x x

Gayophytum nuttallii x

Geum macrophyllum x

Glyceria elata x

Goodyera oblongifolia x x x x

Habenaria elegans x

Habenaria orbiculata x

Habenaria unalascensis x x

Heuchera cylindrica x x

Hieraceum albertinum x

Hieraceum albiflorum x x x

Hieraceum canadense x x

Hieraceum pratense x

Hypericum perforatum x x

Iliamna rivularis x

Lactuca biennis? x

Lilium columbianum x x

Listera convallarioides x

Lomatium ambiguum x

Lomatium dissectum x

Lupinus polyphyllus x

Lupinus sericeus x x

Lysichitum americanum x

Mertensia paniculata x

Monotropa uniflora x x x

Montia cordifolia x x

Scientific Name Riparian Lower Slope Cliffs Upper Slope

Forbs
30 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Montia perfoliata x

Microsteris gracilis x

Mitella pentandra x

Mitella stauropetala x

Osmorhiza chilensis x x x

Osmorhiza purpurea x

Penstemon fruticosus x

Phacelia hastata x

Polypodium hesperium x

Potentilla glandulosa x

Prunella vulgaris x

Pterospora andromedea x x

Pyrola aphylla x

Pyrola asarifolia x x x x

Pyrola chlorantha x

Pyrola picta x x

Pyrola secunda x x

Sedum stenopetalum x x

Selaginella wallacei x

Senecio integerrimus x

Silene menziesii x

Smilacina racemosa x x

Smilacina stellata x x x

Solidago canadensis x x

Stellaria crispa x

Stellaria nitens? x

Streptopus amplexifolius x x

Taraxacum officinale x

Tiarella trifoliata x x x x

Tragopogon dubius x

Trautvetteria carolinensis x

Trifolium agrarium x x

Trifolium repens x

Trillium ovatum x x x

Trisetum canescens x x

Urtica dioica x x

Veronica officinalis x

Viola glabella x x

Viola orbiculata x x x x

Ferns and allies

Athyrium filix-femina x x x

Botrychium virginianum x x x

Cryptogramma crispa x x

Cystopteris fragilis x x x

Dryopteris austriaca x

Dryopteris expansa x x

Dryopteris filix-mas x x

Dryopteris montana x

Dryopteris spinulosa x

Equisetum sp. x x

Gymnocarpium dryopteris x

Polypodium hesperium x

Polystichum munitum x

Scientific Name Riparian Lower Slope Cliffs Upper Slope

Forbs
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 31

Pteridium aquilinum x x x x

Woodsia oregana x

Grasses and allies

Agropyron spicatum x x

Agrostis stolonifera x

Bromus carinatus x

Bromus tectorum x

Bromus vulgaris x x x

Calamagrostis rubescens x x

Carex deweyana x

Carex geyeri x

Carex laeviculmis x

Carex muricata x

Carex rossii x x

Cinna latifolia x

Elymus glaucus x

Festuca idahoensis x

Festuca occidentalis x x

Glyceria elata x

Juncus tenuis x

Luzula campestris x x

Luzula divaricata? x

Melica subulata x

Poa secunda x

Trisetum canescens x

Trisetum cernuum x

Plant inventory conducted by the White Pine Chapter, Idaho Native Plant Society, July 26-27, 1997 (Kris Allison, 

Elisabeth Brackney, Greg Douhan, LeAnn Douhan, Dennis Ferguson, Mike Hays, Sonja Lewis, Juanita Lichthardt, 

Diane Penny, Dorothy Rechard, Ottis Rechard, Chuck Wellner).

Scientific Name Riparian Lower Slope Cliffs Upper Slope

Ferns and allies
32 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Appendix B. Probable Mammals and Birds 

in the RNA

Latin Name Common Name

Ursus americanus black bear

Canis latrans coyote

Mestela frenata weasel

Mephitis mephitis skunk

Erethizon dorsatum porcupine

Felix concolor mountain lion

Lynx rufus bobcat

Odocoilius hemionus mule deer

Odocoilius virginianus whitetail deer

Alces alces moose

Cervus canadensis elk

Microtus pennsylvanicus meadow vole

Peromyscus maniculatus deer mouse

Thomomys talpoides pocket gopher

Lepus americanus showshoe hare

Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse

Archilochus alexandri hummingbird

Colaptes cafer red-shafted flicker

Dendrocopos villosus hairy woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus pileated woodpecker

Contopus sordidulus western wood pewee

Tachycineta thalassina swallow

Iridoprocne bicolor tree swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis rough-winged swallow

Parus atricapillus chickadee

Sitta canadensis red-breasted nuthatch

Turdus migratorius robin

Hylocichla ustulata Swainson’s thrush

Regulus calendula kinglet

Bombycilla cedrorum cedar waxwing

Vireo solitarius solitary vireo

Dendrocia auduboni Audubon’s warbler

Dendrocia petechia yellow warbler

Geothylpis trichas yellowthroat

Piranga ludoviciana western tanager

Hesperiphona vespertina evening grosbeak

Junco oreganus Oregon junco

Spizella passerina chipping sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln’s sparrow

Melospiza melodia song sparrow

Accipitridae family hawks
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 33

Appendix C. Macroinvertebrate Taxa 

Found in the RNA (Rabe 1995)

Ephemeroptera

Paraleptophlebia sp.

Drunella spinifera

Cinygmula sp.

Baetis bicuspidatus

Baetis tricuspidatus

Seratella tibialis

Caudatella sp.

Ephemerella sp.

Ironedes sp.

Plecoptera

Amphinemura sp.

Zapada columbiana

Sweltza sp.

Isoperla sobria

Setvena sp.

Yoraperla brevis

Doronuria theodora

Despaxis sp.

Trichoptera

Micrasema sp.

Cryptochia sp.

Rhycophyla A

Rhycophyla B

Rhycophyla C

Ecclisomyia sp.

Onoscosmoecus sp.

Neothrema sp.

Glossosoma sp.

Phychoglypha sp.

Coleoptera

Lara avara

Narpus sp.

Optioservus sp.

Hydrobius sp.

Heterolimnius sp.

Diptera

Tanypodinae

Chironominae

Tipulidae

Dicronota sp.

Bezzie sp.

Orthocladinae

Turbellaira

Polycelius sp.
34 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp. in B.S.G.

Anacolia menziesii (Turn.) Par.

Antitrichia californica Sull. in Lesq.

Atrichum selwynii Aust.

Aulacomnium androgynum (Hedw.) Schwaegr.

Bartramia pomiformis Hedw.

Brachythecium albicans (Hewd.) Schimp. in B.S.G.

Brachythecium frigidum (C. Mull.) Besch.

Brachythecium hylotapetum B. Hig. & N. Hig.

Brachythecium leibergii Grout

Brachythecium velutinum (Hedw.) Schimp. in B.S.G.

Bryum capillare Hedw.

Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.

Claopodium bolanderi Best.

Claopodium crispifolium (Hook.) Ren. & Card.

Dicarnum fuscescens Turn.

Dicranum scoparium Hedw.

Dicranum tauricum Saeph.

Dryptodon patens (Hedw.) Brid.

Encalypta ciliata Hedw.

Eurhynchium oreganum (Sull.) Jaeg.

Eurhynchium pulchellum (Hedw.) Jenn.

Fissidens bryoides Hedw.

Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw.

Grimmia montana Bruch.

Grimmia torquata Hornsch. in Grev.

Herzogiella seligeri (Brid.) Iwats.

Heterocladium procurrens (Mitt.) Jaeg.

Homalothecium aeneum (Mitt.) Lawt.

Homalothecium nevedensis (Lesq.) Ren. & Card.

Hygrohypnum ochraceum (Turn. ex Wils.) Loeske

Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp. in B.S.G.

Hypnum circinale Hook.

Hypnum subimponens Lesq.

Leucolepis acanthoneuron (Schwaegr.) Lindb.

Metaneckera menziesii (Hook. in Drumm.) Steere

Mnium ambiguum H. Mull.

Mnium marginatum (With.) Brid. ex P. Beauv.

Mnium spinulosum Bruch & Schimp. in B.S.G.

Orthotrichum rupestre Schleich. ex Schwaegr.

Orthotrichum speciosum Nees in Sturm.

Neckera douglasii Hook.

Plagiomnium insigne (Mitt.) T. Kop.

Appendix D. Bryophytes Found on Lower 

Canyon Creek, 2001

Compiled by Judith A. Harpel, Ph.D.

Based on a one week bryophyte workshop held at the Station between 

23 – 28 Sept. 2001

Mosses
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 35

Plagiomnium rostratum (Schrad.) T. Kop.

Plagiomnium venustum (Mitt.) T. Kop.

Plagiothecium laetum Schimp. in B.S.G.

Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt.

Polytrichastrum alpinum (Hedw.) G. L. Sm.

Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw.

Polytrichum piliferum Hedw.

Pterigynandrum filiforme Hedw.

Ptilium crista-castrensis (Hedw.) De. Not.

Racomitrium ericoides (Web. ex Brid.) Brid.

Rhizomnium glabrescens (Kindb.) T. Kop.

Rhizomnium magnifolium (Horik.) T. Kop.

Rhizomnium nudum (Britt. & Williams) T. Kop.

Rhytidiadelphus loreus (Hedw.) Warnst.

Rhytidiadelphus triquestrus (Hedw.) Warnst.

Rhytidiopsis robusta (Hook.) Broth.

Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske

Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske var. symmetrica (Ren. & Card.) 

Crum & Anderson

Schistidium apocarpum (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp. in B.S.G.

Tetraphis pellucida Hedw.

Timmia austriaca Hedw.

Tortula ruralis (Hedw.) Garetn. et al.

Trachybryum megaptilum (Sull.) Schof.

Ulota megalospora Vent. in Roll

Hornworts

Anthoceros punctatus L.

Liverworts

Barbilophozia barbata (Schmid. ex Schreb.) Loeske

Barbilophozia lycopodies (Wallr.) Loeske

Calypogeja muelleriana (Schiffn.) K. Mull.

Cephalozia lunulifolia (Dum.) Dum.

Cephaloziella divaricata (Sm.) Schiffn.

Chiloscyphus polyanthos (L.) Corda

Jamesoniella autumnalis (DC.) Steph.

Lepidozia reptans (L.) Dum.

Lophocolea heterophylla (Schrad.) Dum.

Lophozia incisa (Schrad.) Dum.

Marchantia polymorpha L.

Plagiochila porelloides (Torrey ex Nees) Lindenb.

Porella cordaeana (Hub.) Moore

Ptilidium pulcherrimum (G. Web.) Hampe.

Radula complanata (L.) Dum.

Scapania americana K. Mull.

Scapania bolanderi Aust.

Scapania umbrosa (Schrad.) Dum.
36 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Appendix E. Lichens Observed in the RNA, 

July 1997

By Mike Hays

Alectoria sarmentosa

Bryoria fremontii

B. fuscenscens

B. capillaris

Cetraria platyphylla

C. chlorophylla

Cladonia sp. (many)

C. multiformis

Hypogymnia occidentalis

H. imshaugii

H. physodes

H. tubulosa

H. enteromorpha?

Letharia vulpina

L. columbiana

Lobaria pulmonaria

Nephroma helveticum

N. parile

Parmelia hygrophila

P. sulcata

Parmeliopsis ambigua

P. hyperopta

Peltigera apthosa

P. cinnamomea

P. kristinssonii

P. membranacea

P. praetextata

P. neopolydactyla

P. venosa

Platismatia glauca
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 37

Appendix F. Boundary Description Survey1

A parcel of land designated as “Wellner Cliffs Research Natural Area” situated in Sections 18, 19, and 20, T.58N., R.3W., and Section 24, T.58N., 

R.4W., Boise Meridian, Bonner County, Idaho, described as follows;

Beginning at Corner 1, which is a 60d spike, set in the centerline of the G 

Road, and the true Point of Beginning;

thence S42°55’W, 1880 feet to corner 2, which is a 60d spike set in the 

centerline of Trail 12;

thence westerly, 7110 feet along the centerline of Trail 12 and Trail 8 to 

Corner 3, which is a 3/4” x 24” rebar, set in the centerline of Trail 8, with a 

standard Forest Service aluminum cap, marked USDA-FS WC RNA COR 

3 PLS 4343 2001;

thence S72°08’W, 938 feet to a 3/8” x 24” rebar;

thence N82°46’W 99 feet to a 3/8” x 24” rebar;

thence N79°18’W, 181 feet to a 3/4” x 24” rebar;

thence N74°10’W, 470 feet to Corner 4, which is a 3/4” x 24” rebar, with a 

standard Forest Service aluminum cap, marked USDA-FS WC RNA COR 

4 PLS 4343 2001;

thence N29°09’E, 365 feet to Corner 5, which is a 3/4” x 24” rebar, with a 

standard Forest Service aluminum cap, marked USDA-FS WC RNA COR 

5 PLS 4343 2001;

thence N2°24’E, 895 feet to Corner 6, which is a spike in the centerline 

of the G Road;

thence northeasterly, 4515 feet along the centerline of the G Road to 

Corner 7, which is a 60d spike in the centerline of the G Road;

thence S88°29’25”E, 1102 feet along the Section line between Sections 

13 and 24, to the Section Corner common to Sections 13, 18, 19, and 24, 

which is a standard Forest Service aluminum monument, marked USDAFS T58N R4W S13 S18 S19 S24 WAS RLS 853 1982;



 USDA Forest Service, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Boundary Management - Cadastral 

Surveys. Survey by Frank Wratni and Greg Ryberg.
38 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

thence North, 151 feet along the Section line between Sections 13 and 18, 

to Corner 8, which is a 60d spike in the centerline of the G road;

thence northerly 260 feet along the centerline of the G road to Corner 9, 

which is a 60d spike in the centerline of the G road;

thence North, 351 feet along the Section line between Sections 13 and 18, 

to Corner 10, which is a 60d spike in the centerline fo the G road;

thence easterly and northerly, 5560 feet along the centerline of the G road 

to Corner 11, which is a 60d spike in the centerline of the G road;

thence N89°40’46”E, 233 feet along the S 1/16 line in Section 18, to 

Corner 12, which is a 60d spike in the centerline of the G Road;

thence southeasterly, 3560 feet along the centerline of the G Road to

Corner 1, herebefore described, and the True Point of Beginning, containing 

311 acres, more or less.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006 39

Appendix G. IPNF Landtype Mapping Unit 

Descriptions for the RNA

Map Unit 493 – Delineations of this map unit consist of mountain ridges 

and upper slopes. This map unit occurs on southerly aspects and has 

dominant slope gradients, which are 5 to 40 percent. Soils are deep and 

consist of volcanic ash surface horizons overlying weakly weathered 

subsoil and substratum material of residual, mica influenced granitic rock, 

schist and gneiss geology. The dominant vegetation is moderately cool to 

moderately warm and moist, mixed coniferous forest.

Map Unit 478 – Delineations of this map unit consist of very steep, rocky 

steam breaklands associated with deeply incised V-shaped drainages. This 

map unit occurs on southerly aspects and has dominant slope gradients, 

which are 60 to 90 percent. The unit is a mosaic of rock outcrop and soils 

that range in depth from shallow to deep. The surface soil is dominantly 

volcanic ash overlying weakly weathered subsoil and substratum material 

of residual, mica influenced granitic rock, schist, and gneiss geology. The 

dominant vegetation is moderately warm and dry coniferous forest.

Map Unit 467 – Delineations of this map unit consist of lower sideslopes, 

toeslopes, and adjacent stream bottoms of incised drainages within mountain 

slopes. This map unit occurs on northerly aspects and has dominant slope 

gradients, which are 35 to 65 percent. Soils are deep and consist of volcanic 

ash surface horizons overlying weakly weathered subsoil and substratum 

material of residual, mica influenced granitic rock, schist, and gneiss geology. The dominant vegetation is a mosaic of moderately cool, moist and wet 

mixed coniferous forest with an occasional inclusion of fern glades.

Map Unit 491 – Delineations of this map unit consist of mountain ridges 

and upper slopes. This map unit occurs on northerly aspects and has 

dominant slope gradients, which are 5 to 40 percent. Soils are deep and 

consist of volcanic ash surface horizons overlying weakly weathered 

subsoil and substratum material of residual, mica influenced granitic rock, 

schist, and gneiss geology. The dominant vegetation is moderately cool 

and moist coniferous forest.

Map Unit 468 – Delineations of this map unit consist of lower sideslopes, 

toeslopes, and adjacent stream bottoms of incised drainages within mountain slopes. The map unit occurs on southerly aspects and has dominant 

slope gradients, which are 35 to 65 percent. Soils are deep and consist 

of volcanic ash surface horizons overlying weakly weathered subsoil and 

substratum material of residual, mica influenced granitic rock, schist, and 

gneiss geology. The dominant vegetation is a mosaic of moderately warm 

to moderately cool and moderately dry to wet mixed coniferous forest with 

an occasional inclusion of fern glades.
40 USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-170WWW. 2006

Map Unit 470 – Delineations of this map unit consists of non-dissected 

mountain sideslopes. This map unit occurs on southerly aspects and has 

dominant slope gradients, which are 35 to 60 percent. Soils are deep 

and consist of volcanic ash surface horizons overlying weakly weathered 

subsoil and substratum material of residual, mica influenced granitic rock, 

schist, and gneiss geology. The dominant vegetation is moderately warm 

and moderately cool, moist, mixed coniferous forest types.

Map Unit 477 – Delineations of this map unit consists of steep, stream 

breaklands associated with deeply incised V-shaped drainages. This map 

unit occurs on northerly aspects and has dominant slope gradients, which 

are 60 to 80 percent. Soils are deep and consist of volcanic ash surface 

horizons overlying weakly weathered subsoil and substratum material of 

residual, mica influenced granitic rock, schist, and gneiss geology. The 

dominant vegetation is moderately cool and moist coniferous forest.
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provider and employer.

The Rocky Mountain Research Station develops scientific information and technology to improve management, protection, and use of 

the forests and rangelands. Research is designed to meet the needs 

of National Forest managers, Federal and State agencies, public and 

private organizations, academic institutions, industry, and individuals. 

Studies accelerate solutions to problems involving ecosystems, 

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use economics, wildlife and fish habitat, and forest insects and diseases. 

Studies are conducted cooperatively, and applications may be found 

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