Description
This book celebrates the natural history of the Klamath Mountains through stories of diversity and resilience over deep time.
Shaped by geology, these mountains form an ancient jigsaw puzzle and topographic mosaic dissected by big-shouldered river canyons and sharp ridgelines that create localized climatic gradients. Within the geomorphic province, the rocks are much older than in surrounding regions. This dichotomy has allowed many distinct evolutionary lineages of plants and animals to adapt, survive, and sometimes speciate where elsewhere they became extirpated long ago.
The Klamath Mountains: A Natural History
- Describes and documents one of the most biodiverse temperate mountain ranges on Earth.
- The first comprehensive Natural History written for this region.
- 34 contributing authors–all experts in their fields.
- Chapters including Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Plant Communities, First Peoples, Geology, Climate, Fire Ecology, and much more.
- Full color, rich illustrations, and well-curated photographs, and bring 496 pages to life!
Richard Mize –
The Klamath Mountains is a book I’ve wanted ever since moving to the area 40 years ago. The various chapters are each a delight, and fit together superbly as I worked my way through the book. I’ve backpacked these mountains for 30 years (sadly I can no longer do so) and so many questions I had backpacking have been answered by this book. It’s richly detailed, beautifully illustrated with many photos and maps, and extremely well written. It is by far the best and richest description of these amazing mountains I’ve ever come across. Richard Mize
Robert Hansen –
Editors Kauffmann and Garwood have assembled a group of experts, including themselves, to provide a modern and scientifically accurate treatment of the Klamath Mountains. What a wonderful resource!
Gabriel Kelly –
A scientific love letter to the Klamath Mountains, the soul of Northern California.
Amanda (verified owner) –
This book is wonderful. It is an amazing reference and I highly recommend it.
Kim Rasmussen –
A new cherished addition to my NW California SW Oregon naturalist tool box. The Oregon State Parks Wolf Creek Historic Inn staff and visitors would love to know of Back Country press in general and this guidebook specifically. This book and all whom contributed to it are a treasure indeed.
richard blair (verified owner) –
most comprehensive and readable account of this area, thanks for all your hard work.
craig a barfoot (verified owner) –
I’m way out east in Montana but have always dreamed about visiting the Klamath. In the meantime, this is my means of doing so, and a way to plan for the future. Thanks for gathering the experts and for publishing this.
Chris Williams (verified owner) –
5 stars ! Great book. Comprehensive, thorough, well documented and entertaining. I will be referring to this book often.
Emily S (verified owner) –
This is a comprehensive natural history of a relatively ignored area, with chapters on every aspect from geology to invertebrates, each written by a different expert. It’s not a field identification guide so much as useful background material to understand the overall picture of the topic. It is well illustrated and organized. It is a weighty book, probably not taken in your backpack, but left in the vehicle for later study. It is full of references and related sources. If you have any interest in this area, it is well worth investing in for the long term.
John Mullen (verified owner) –
The finest comprehensive natural history review of one of the most diverse ecological regions in the world! Thanks to the authors for persisting and to the wonderful beings of the Klamath Mountains.
John Westlake (verified owner) –
Superb.I only wish that a book of this nature was around in the 1960s and 70s when I spent a lot of time in the Klamath Mountains. The inclusion of lit. cited and suggested reading is invaluable. If my knees hold out I will be using this book late spring 2024,I also intend to buy a additional copy
john condon (verified owner) –
great book! the go to reference book for the Klamath Mtns what a treasure good job!