M332Ca North Rocky Mountain Front

Landscape Characteristics:

Thrust faulted mountains that formed from argillite, siltite, and quartzite. Elevations range from 5000 to 10800 feet. Drainage density is high. High mountain lakes are common and their are existing glaciers. This subsection drains into Hudson Bay.

Climate:

Mean annual precipitation ranges from 27 to 90 inches, about 50 to 70 percent falling as snow. The soil temperature and moisture regimes are cryic and udic (typic ustic at lower elevations). Chinook winds are common along the mountain front.

Potential Vegetation:

Douglas-fir forest/Western spruce-fir forest

Relationships of Dominant Map Unit Components:

Landform Geology Soil Taxa
Mountainsides/moraines/outwash terraces Argillite/siltite/till Cryocrepts/Cryoborolls
Cirquelands Argillite/siltite/till/talus Cryorthents

Disturbance and Land Use:

The primary natural disturbance is fire. Land use is predominantly recreation since this subsection is within Glacier National Park.