I have tromped through those N. California mountains years ago, but I don't remember much about the soil.
I have also surveyed through coal lands, which in most cases have been stripped below subsoil and re-planting has to follow a succession of plants, but I don't know what the succession is. Or, if the coal lands (which are humid) would be the same as the high elevation California soils.
We should ask Benedetta. She has worked on coal lands, I think, for the Forestry service.
