127 



GUNNISON COUNTY. 

 (Area, 4,000 square miles; estimated forest area, 1,200 squ.ire miles.) 



This county is irregalar in outline, and covers a large area upon the 

 western slope of the main range. It is bordered on the north by the 

 Elk Mountains. The Gunnison River and its numerous tributaries con 

 stitute the water system. 



The forests are situated mainly on the mountain slopes at the north 

 and east. The principal trees are Pine, Spruce, Cedar, and Aspen. 

 About one-fourth is brush, and as much more has been burned over. 

 No portion is fully stocked. The trees are usually 3 to 18 inches in di- 

 ameter. Pine and Spruce predominate. Cottonwood and Alder grow 

 along the streams. 



Fire is the principal destroyer of the forests. The renewal is slow 

 but steady. The second growth is usually the same as the first, except 

 after fire, Avhen Aspen follows. 



No particular change has been observed in the flow and volume of 

 water in the streams. The entire county is well watered. There is a 

 heavy fall of snow in the winter, an d copious rain-fall in the summer. 



HINSDALE COUNTY. 

 (Area, 1,440 square miles; estimated forest area, 450 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the southwestern part of the State. It is 

 drained in the northern portion by the head- waters of the Lake Fork 

 of the Gunnison Eiver and Henson Creek ; in the middle part by the 

 head-waters of the Rio Grande River ; and in the southern portion by 

 some of the tributaries of the San Juan River. The main range, or 

 Continental Divide, crosses the county twice, in an east and west direc- 

 tion. 



Timber grows in all of the valleys (which lie at an altitude of about 

 7,000 feet) and on the hillsides and mountain slopes, to a height of 

 11,000 feet. White Spruce, White and Yellow Pine, and Aspen are the 

 principal species. Spruce and Aspen predominate. Only a small pro- 

 portion of the forest trees are large enough for lumber. 



No changes are observed in the streams, although witliout doubt the 

 forests have a beneficial efiect on the water supply. The difference 

 here between high and low water is considerable, and the rise and fall 

 is quite gradual. Heavy snows have occurred during the last three 

 winters, resulting in plenty of water in the streams through the spring 

 and summer months. 



HUERFANO COUNTY. 

 (Area, 1,160 square miles; estimated forest area, 250 square miles.) 



This county is situated in southeastern Colorado, Upon its north- 

 western, western, and southern borders are mountains and foot- hills 

 covered, to a greater or less extent, with Pine, Spruce, Fir, Cedar, and 



