Kaibab National Forest

Infobox_protected_area | name = Kaibab National Forest
iucn_category = VI

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caption =
locator_x = 60
locator_y = 100
location = Coconino, Yavapai, and Mohave counties, Arizona, USA
nearest_city = Williams, AZ
lat_degrees = 35
lat_minutes = 57
lat_seconds = 16
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 112
long_minutes = 09
long_seconds = 27
long_direction = W
area = 1.6 million acres (6,500 km²)
established = 1909
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = U.S. Forest ServiceAt 1.6 million acres the Kaibab National Forest borders both the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, in north-central Arizona. It is divided into three major sections: the "North Kaibab Ranger District" and the South Kaibab and are managed by USDA Forest Service. The South Kaibab is further divided into two forests, the "Tusayan Ranger District" and the "Williams Ranger District". The Grand Canyon is a natural boundary between the North Kaibab and the South Kaibab. The South Kaibab covers 1,422 square miles (3,683 km²) and the North Kaibab stretches over 1,010 square miles (2,616 km²). Elevations vary on the forest from 5,500 feet (1,676 m) in the southwest corner to 10,418 feet (3,175 m) at the summit of Kendrick Peak on the Williams Ranger District.

North Kaibab

The Kaibab Plateau is an island surrounded by lower elevations. The plateau, with elevation up to 9,000 feet (2,700 m) is bordered on the south by the Grand Canyon, on the east and the west by tributary canyons of the Colorado River, and on the North by tiers of uplifted cliffs.

North Kaibab History

The North Kaibab Ranger District was part of the lands withdrawn from the public domain in 1893 and included in the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve. President Theodore Roosevelt created the Grand Canyon Game Preserve in 1906. The game preserve which includes 612,736 acres (2,480 km²) of the Kaibab National Forest, is "set a side for the protection of game animals and birds," and is "to be recognized as a breeding place therefore." in 1908, the Forest Reserve north of the Grand Canyon, including the game preserve, was renamed Kaibab Nation Forest. In 1919, the Grand Canyon National Park was created from the forest service lands surrounding the Grand Canyon. In 1934, the Tusayan National Forest south of the Grand Canyon was consolidated into the Kaibab National Forest, forming the present forest boundaries. The forest area north of the canyon became the North Kaibab Ranger District. The headquarters for the Kaibab National Forest is in Williams, Arizona.

South Kaibab

The South Kaibab includes the Tusayan Ranger District and the Williams Ranger District.

Vegetation

Vegetation in the forest varies by elevation and exposure. Principal tree species are ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, aspen, blue spruce, oak, pinyon pine, and juniper. Among other things, they enhance the beauty of the landscape, hold soil in place, and provide cover and food for wildlife. As elevation decreases, trees give way to bitter brush, Gambel oak, sagebrush, and cliffrose. Within the forest, there are irregular areas entirely free of tree growth.

Wildlife

Commonly seen large wild animals include kaibab deer, mule deer, elk, antelope, turkey and coyote. Mountain lion, bobcat, wolf, and black bear are seen less frequently.

Common small animals in Kaibab National Forest include chipmunks, ground squirrels and Abert's squirrels. Less common are porcupines, small lizards, and rattlesnakes. Most common birds are bluebirds, robins, Steller's jays, nuthatches, flickers and other woodpeckers, crows, various hummingbirds, ravens, and a variety of hawks. Bats also occupy the park.

Wilderness

There are four designated wilderness areas in the Kaibab National Forest. Two in the North Kaibab Ranger District and two in the Williams Ranger District.

*Kanab Creek Wilderness "(North Kaibab Ranger District)"
*Saddle Mountain Wilderness "(North Kaibab Ranger District)"
*Kendrick Mountain Wilderness "(Williams Ranger District)"
*Sycamore Canyon Wilderness "(Williams Ranger District)"

See also

*National Forests
*List of U.S. National Forests

External links

* [http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai Kaibab National Forest Home]
* [http://www.zionnational-park.com/sb67 Kaibab National Forest]