Rock Creek Wilderness

Infobox_protected_area | name = Rock Creek Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib

---

caption =
locator_x = 11
locator_y = 32
location = Oregon, USA
nearest_city = Yachats, Oregon
lat_degrees = 44
lat_minutes = 10
lat_seconds = 49
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 124
long_minutes = 03
long_seconds = 21
long_direction = W
area = convert|7486|acre|km2|1|sing=off
established = 1984
governing_body = United States Forest Service

The Rock Creek Wilderness is a wilderness area comprising 7486 acres (30.29 km²) within the Siuslaw National Forest on the Oregon Coast. It was created in 1984, along the Drift Creek Wilderness and Cummins Creek Wilderness. [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Rock%20Creek Rock Creek Wilderness] - Wilderness.net]

Topography

Rock Creek Wilderness is characterized by steep slopes, dense forest, and thick brush. Two streams (Rock Creek and Big Creek), separated by a broad ridge, traverse the area and flow westward to the Pacific Ocean. [ [http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_wilderness_area/or_rock.htm Rock Creek Wilderness, Oregon] - GORP]

Vegetation

Rock Creek Wilderness is primarily coniferous rainforest with dense ground cover. Bigleaf Maple and Red Alder trees line both creeks. Old-growth Douglas-fir can be found in the eastern portion of this area, giving away to old-growth Sitka Spruce closer to the ocean. Other vegetation include Salal, Salmonberry, Western Swordfern, and rhododendron.

Wildlife

One unique inhabitant of this area is the Oregon silverspot butterfly. These endangered orange-and-brown butterflies can be found on the ridge between the creeks. Salmon, Steelhead, and Cutthroat trout migrate upstream along both creeks each year to spawn.

Gallery

ee also

* List of Oregon Wildernesses
* List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
* List of old growth forests

References

External links

* [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Rock%20Creek Rock Creek Wilderness] - National Wilderness Preservation System
* [http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/ Siuslaw National Forest]
* [http://www.lasr.net/pages/recreation.php?Rock%20Creek%20Wilderness&ID=4738 Rock Creek Wilderness] - Leisure and Sport Review