Locality: Archuleta County
Abstract: San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society field trip. Conducted on June 10, 2010 by Susan Halabrin, Al Schneider. Species recorder Bob Powell. Southeast Archuleta County, south side of Rio Blanco Valley. Harris Lake Quadrangle. Trail head at sharp bend in Forest Road 660. Forest Trail 564 is 1.8 km (1.1 mi) long. Elevation: 8731 ft (2661 m) at trail head; 9230 ft (2813 m) at Lake Opal; 9240 ft (2816 m) at knoll. Precipitation: 65 cm (26”) water equivalent in winter; 25 cm (9”) in late summer; total 90 cm (35”). Habitat: Upper Montane Zone with (1) disturbed area, open flats and stagnant ponds near trailhead; (2) dense aspen/conifer forest with dense groundcover of forbs and a few open areas for most of the trail; and (3) open spruce/fir woodlands, grassy meadows, wetlands, small creek and small lake near top end of trail. All are north-facing with variable slopes from 0 to 15°, average 5°. Geology: Colluvial and landslide material from previously mixed Cretaceous Pictured Cliffs Sandstone cliffs and Lewis Shale slopes with debris from higher Oligocene intrusive cliffs. Soils: Always damp 10 cm below surface. (1) In forest- slightly developed Boralf with shallow O (organic) horizon, gray to brown surface. (2) In damp meadows- Boroll with thick O horizon, dark,organic-rich surface. (3) In dry meadows & knolls- Psamment with little O horizon, pebbly litter-free surface
