TOWNSHIP DE80EIPTIONS. 59 



Composition of forest in T. 5 S., R. IS E., including trees of all species with basal diameters of S inches and 



upward. 



Per cent. 



Lodgepole pine 30 



■ White-bark pine 2 



Red fir : 60 



Subalpine fir 3 



Engelmann spruce 5 



Township 6 South, Range 13 East. 



Topography. ^A.n elevated plateau-like ^ area known as East Boulder Plateau 

 occupies the central areas of the township. Its altitude varies from 10,000 to 11,000 

 feet. Its summit is intersected bj'^ numerous ridges and depressions, and by the 

 shallow canyon heads of great gorges that cut into its sides. In the eastern and 

 western portions of the township the plateau breaks off in great cliffs and escarp- 

 ments to the canyons of Boulder and East Boulder rivers, rising again on the east 

 bank of the latter stream in ridges 10,000 feet in altitude. 



Mining. — None. 



8oil. — Thin, gravelly loam underlaid and mixed with vast masses of bowlders. 



Agricultural adaptability. — The township, owing to its great altitude, contains 

 no arable land. 



Grazing capacity. — The summit of East Boulder Plateau, where not too rocky, 

 is covered with a sward of alpine sedges and grasses. The tract is extremely 

 difficult of access, but has been utilized for sheep pasture in former years. 

 Outside of the plateau the township has no g'razing areas. 



Drainage conditions. — The run-off is large. The tract contains no lakes, bat 

 springs and creeks are numerous and furnish large additions to the volume of 

 water in East Boulder and Boulder rivers. 



Snow and rock slides. — A'^alanches and landslips are of frequent occurrence 

 along the edges and steep slopes of the plateau. 



Towns and settlements. — ^The township is not inhabited. 



Forest conditions. — The forest is confined to the eastern areas of the township 

 in East Boulder Valley. It consists of lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce in 

 moderately close-set stands, largely old growths. At the brinks of the plateau 

 and following the canyon heads into the more level tracts of the table-land are 

 thin scattered stands of subalpine forest, mostly composed of spruce and white- 

 bark pine. 



Cutting. — None. 



Burns. — Scattered tracts in East Boulder Valley. 



IteprodAJbction. — Moderate and composed of the same species and in nearly the 

 same proportions as prevail in the old stands. In the high subalpine forest 

 young growth is scanty. 



