TOWNSHIP DE80EIPTIONS. 97 



Composition of forest in T. S S., R. 11 E,, including trees of all species with basal diameters of 3 inches 



and upward. 



PcT ceht. 



Lodgepole pine ,. 68 



White-bark pine. 8 



Bed flr 5 



Subalpine fir 3. 5 



Engelmann spruce 20 



Township 8 South, Range 12 East. 



Topography. — The northern areas comprise rough ridges and crests rising to 

 altitudes of 11,000 feet. The central areas are formed by the basin-like valley of 

 upper Buffalo Creek, which is bordered on the west by a plateau-like ridge, 

 forming the divide against Hell Roaring Creek; and on the east hy narrow, rocky 

 crests sloping into Buffalo and Slough creeks with a succession of long terraces. 



Mining. — None. 



Soil. — Clayey and gravelly loam, stony and bowlder strewn in places. 



Agricultural adaptability. — The tract is too stony, too mountainous, and situated 

 at too high altitudes for agriculture. 



Grazing capacity. — The plateau-like portion of the spurs inclosing Buffalo 

 Creek on the west, and the upper areas of the basin of that stream, contain large 

 areas of grassy glades and uplands suitable for pasture. No stock were pastured 

 on these tracts during the past season. 



Drainage conditions. — The township is well supplied with springs and rivulets 

 and small ponds here and there in the western areas. It forms the water head 

 of the Buffalo Creek drainage. 



Snow am,d rock slides. — Infrequent. 



Towns and settlements. — None. 



Forest conditions. — The forest in the east half of the township consists of 

 lodgepole pine to the extent of 80 per cent. In Buffalo Creek Basin the stands are 

 chiefly composed of Engelmann spruce. On the summit of the ridges the forest, 

 wholly of the subalpine type, consists mostly of white-bark pine and spruce. The 

 forest is composed of old growth stands varying in age from 150 to 200 years 

 and over. There is very little forest in the sapling stage throughout the township. 

 Portions of the timber in the extreme eastern sections of the township are accessible 

 by way of Slough Creek Valley. The remainder can be reached only for local use. 



Cutting. — None. 



Burns. — A small tract, 100 acres, along the western edge of the township has 

 been burned over by fires of recent date. 



Reproduction. — Most of the forest has reached the period when its stands are 

 9574— No. 29—04 7 



