1894 
and the untouched forest covers not over one-half If as ranch of the 
Yacoohl 
surface below 9000 feet. fhe min range of mountains coming in from 
a northerly direction has a high sunaait of about 10,000 feet altitude 
just north of the main mountain, A high narrow ridge vdth a saddle 
at 8000 
ft, between otameets the two peaks, this ridge runs in a 
northerly course so that the easterly and north-easterly moisture laden 
winds from the gulf and the low hot coast country come sweeping up and 
pour almost constant masses of clouds and mist over the top of the ridge 
and down a short distance on the wet slope when a sudden change to a 
vegetation of a much drier zone is noted, The top of the ridge from 
about 7600 ft, up is covered with heavy oak forest which becomes heav¬ 
ier and denser on top of the ridge and still more so down the east 
slope. On the top of the ridge up to an altitude of 10,000 feet, 1 
found dense oak woods thickly grown up to brush with interlaced matted 
growths of large fearns and a long slender creeping cane, From the 
branches of the trees hangs a groat abundance of olive brown pendant 
mosses, giving a very gloomy appearance to the forest whose sad colored 
depths are constantly dropping water from the spongy mosses and other 
growths on the branches and trunks, Above 9000 feet the undergrowth is 
much less common and the bare leaf-coated ground is abundantly dotted 
with beautiful rose-colored"Indian pip© 1 ' flowers whose delicate colors 
are particularly attractive in the dull, gloomy surroundings, 
TSherever openings occur in this forest as along the trails or other 
places where the trees are gone the abundance of flowers is remarkable 
along this ridge from 8000 feet to 10,000 ft, Hundreds of graceful 
crimson petalled lilies and a great variety of other flowers abound. 
From 9,000 to 10,000 feet, a beautiful scarlet flowered creeping plant 
which was common down to 7800 feet bee me c very abundant and for a 
couple of miles carpets each side of the trail with the most brilliant 
269 
