(0.2 mile)
57 This stretch of forest, especially on the east side of the road, may be called a “MICRO-CLIMATE.” The southwest exposure, in a sheltered depression, produces a warmer climate which supports white fir, incense cedar, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, shrubs and annuals characteristic of lower elevations. The green carpet covering the low rocks and parts of the forest floor is called squawcarpet ceanothus.
(0.3 mile)
SUGAR PINE (cone 12 inches)
INCENSE CEDAR (cone 1 inch)
PONDEROSA PINE (cone 3 inches)
58 On the eastern extension of the sharp curve is a loose ROCKY TALUS SLOPE composed of fine-grained, dark grey boulders known as basalt. Often basaltic lavas are very porous because they are typically gas-rich when molten, and many bubble holes result as the escaping gases are trapped during cooling. This lava is relatively low in silica and high in iron, hence it is dark in color and heavy in weight.