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OJn Jl Esthetics An abundance of diverse landscapes, containing a variety of land forms and vegetation, are found in the Unit. Ecosystems range from the treeless 13,000 foot alpine zone to the pinyon-juniper plateau country at almost 7,000 feet. Between these extremes are areas characterized by Gambels oak, ponderosa pine, white fir, aspen, Engelmann spruce, and corkbark fir. Heavy amounts of precipitation at the mid to high elevations assure a lush green forest and an abundance of colorful wildflowers throughout the summer, while above the tree line the drying effect of the wind and the cold temperatures limit plant growth. Excellent examples of glacial activity can be seen throughout the Unit, but paritcularly in the heavily scoured San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo, Conejos, and Alamosa River drainages. Evidence of volcanic activity is also abundant. At the higher elevations steep escarpments, rugged peaks, and rock outcrops are common. These landforms, combined with the vegetative variety and the many streams and lakes, present an exciting visual experience to most visitors. The Chama B'asin presents a somewhat different landscape than the rest of the Unit. Here, heavily timbered slopes of conifer and aspen are mixed with meadows that end abruptly by steep, milti-colored rock cliffs. Rock outcrops are of both volcanic and sedimentary origin. i Other areas within the Unit posess unique visual character as well, and many contain outstanding natural landscapes. ~ Deviations from natural patterns have occurred within the unit as a result of human activities. Timber harvesting, particularly in the Elwood Pass.Schnizel Flats, Rito Gato, Treasure Creek, and Saddle Creek areas have created some unnatural openings that do not blend well with the landscape. Other intrusions include roads, highways, the Cumbres-Toltec Railroad, ranches and resorts, mining operations, and the Platoro and Trujillo Meadows dams and reservoirs. Mining operations, such as those at Summitville, have created massive land disturbances that are not visually desirable to some people. The old abandoned mining structures, however, are generally compatible with the landscape and reflect a colorful era of our country's history. In some cases these old structures actually enhance the visual quality of the landscape to many of the visitors to this area. The visual impact of management activities is normally greater at the higher elevations where slower growing seasons and uniform stands of timber are present. The lower elevations within the Unit generally have more variety, so deviations from the natural patterns of the landscape can occur with less visual impact.