M332Cc South Rocky Mountain Front

Landscape Characteristics:

Faulted mountains that formed from limestone, dolomite, and quartzite. Argillite and diorite sills occur. Elevations range from 5400 to 9000 feet. Drainage density is high.

Climate:

Mean annual precipitation ranges from 22 to 60 inches, about 50 to 70 percent falling as snow. The soil temperature and moisture regimes are cryic and typic ustic.

Potential Vegetation:

Douglas-fir forest/Western spruce-fir forest

Relationships of Dominant Map Unit Components:

Landform Geology Soil Taxa
Mountainsides/moraines/outwash terraces Limestone/dolomite/till Cryochrepts/Cryoboralfs
Cirquelands Limestone/dolomite Cryorthents

Disturbance and Land Use:

The primary natural disturbance is fire. Land use is predominantly recreational activities.