 The Field Station is located approximately 20 miles south of Reno on
the eastern slope of the Carson Range. It is 3 miles west of US 395 and 4 miles
northeast of Lake Tahoe. Access is through a locked gate and via a steep dirt road
by 4-wheel drive vehicle from May to November most years, and by hiking or on snowshoes
during the remainder of the year.
The Whittell Forest and Wildlife Area consists
of a meadow portion at an altitude of 6500 ft, surrounded by Jeffrey and lodgepole
pine and fir. The northern end of the Field Station rises to over 8,000 ft with
a variety of species including sagebrush; Ceanothus; manzanita; bitterbrush; willow;
aspen; red fir; western white pine; whitebark pine; and mountain hemlock. The southern
meadow is relatively flat and the northern area is quite steep. Total area is approximately
1000 ha. Franktown Creek traverses the meadow, running south to north, and combines
with another stream running from north to south.
 Facilities,
at present, are minimal. A mobile home serves as housing for a summer scientist
in residence, and a small cabin provides adequate sleeping space for visitors. However,
the area is within an hour's drive of campus and day trips for research, classes,
and tours are normally planned. A weather station is maintained through the year
and measurements of rain and snowfall are made after each storm.
Scans from the Whittell Forest Newsletter are available:
An Introduction to the Flora of the George
Whittell Forest and Wildlife Area
Map of Whittell Forest Location
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