Other rock outcrop species of great beauty are the Lewisia cotyledon and L. leana and their two hybrids. In a wet meadow to the west of the pass we also found L. triphylla and the glorious Erythronium grandiflorum var. Two lilies were in full bloom, Lilium washingtonianum var. Unusual ferns included Polystichum lemmonii , P. lonchitis and the charming Cystopteris fragilis . The area probably has over 500 species.
Unusual soils comprise both serpentine and limestone derivatives.
Some rare conifers include the weeping spruce, Picea breweriana , and in serpentine, the Siskiyou cypress, Cupressus bakeri ssp. Right at the pass itself are numerous Quercus sadleriana . This area is still awaiting protection. It suffers because it is under two different U.S. Forest jurisdictions, the border falling right on the pass. First James Roof, later Wayne Roderick, and most recently Stu Winchester of Diablo Valley College, have all led trips to the area and have worked toward its protection.