Rocks are dominated by Eocene sea floor deposits and basalt flows from ancient sea floor spreading. Slopes are steep and soils are generally poor, supporting coniferous forests dominated by Douglas fir and Sitka spruce. C. Climate 1. Rainfall a. Low pressure systems in late fall through spring generate storms over the Pacific, bringing large quantities of rain on shore. High pressure systems dominate in the late spring, summer, and early fall and maintain much dryer, warmer weather.
Net result is period of extremely wet winter weather followed by a summer drought.
Sitka spruce belt immediately adjacent to the coastline, western hemlock is climax tree further inland, Douglas fir is the dominant conifer in most areas as a result of fires and logging. Understory of Oregon grape, salal. Open, south facing slopes. As with Coast Range, climate patterns dominated by influence of Pacific Ocean. Same seasonal pattern of winter deluge and summer drought.