KLAMATH MOUNTAINS

The Klamath Mountains are a rugged chain in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.  The California portion is sometimes referred to as the Siskiyou Mountains.  The peaks rise to over 6,000 feet making them much taller than the Oregon coastal mountains to the north.  In California the mountains are even taller.  The Cascades run into the Klamath mountains in southern Oregon along the I-5 corridor while the Coastal mountains to the north are separated by the Coquille river.  This mountain range is unique in that it is more intermixed with vegetation from Oregon/Washington with those of California and wet climate vegetation along with dry climate vegetation.  This is largely due to the larger east/west expanse of the mountains creating more of a weather block but steep enough to absorb moisture in areas where it is much dryer very close by.