WESTERN JUNIPER 



Junipenis occidentalis HOOK. 



The dominant notes of the burly, 

 scant-foliaged juniper are its sturdiness, 

 dignity and repose. The thick-set, 

 stocky trunks covered by the bright, cin- 

 namon-red bark appear immobile as 

 stone. "They are never," says John 

 Muir, "blown down so long as they con- 

 tinue in health. Their stiff, crooked 

 roots grip the storm-beaten ledges like 

 eagle claws, while their lithe, cord-like 

 branches bend round compliantly, offer- 

 ing but slight holds for winds, however 

 violent." 



The Western Juniper thrives best at 

 high elevations and is found in an al- 

 most pure forest of considerable extent 

 to the north of Bear Lake and into Hoi- 

 comb Valley. It is common around the 

 lake itself, also on Gold Mountain and 

 Sugar Loaf Peak. A few trees occur 

 locally on Mount San Antonio. 



65 



