Competitive dynamics within lichen communities are variable depending on the environment. To successfully compete with potential competitors, different lichen species utilize unique competitive strategies. Many of the strategies used by lichen are interference mechanisms which directly inhibit the growth of nearby individuals. To determine the importance of interspecific competition for habitat space among lichens in subalpine environments, we investigated the distribution and interactions of L. atrobrunnea, Rhizoplaca sp. and X. elegans in the White Mountains of California. We also observed which interference mechanisms these lichens were using to gain an advantage over other species. Interference competition was found to contribute to a transitive hierarchy between the lichens in the community. While competing for the least stressful habitats, different competitive strategies were used by the species studied.