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Principal Topographic and Scenic Features The Flat Tops are a concentration of flat-topped headlands of which the dominant physical feature is an area known as the White River Plateau. It includes the head- waters of the North and South Fork White River, East Fork Williams Fork River, Bear- Yampa River, Derby Creek, and Sweetwater Creek, which are major tributaries of the Colorado River. The plateau is a flattened dome composed of geological strata capped with lava. It reaches its greatest prominence on top of the "Chinese Wall" and at the "Devil's Causeway" divide between the East Fork of the Williams Fork River and the North Fork of the White River. This great lava cap and sub-strata have eroded to form river canyons and lake beds on the plateau itself. An abrupt, irregular border of lava rock distinctly outlines the portion named "Flat Tops." The proposed boundary general- ly follows these distinctive cliffs, though at times it cuts across intruding valleys to in- clude scenic lakes, streams, and other features below the guardian cliffs. The combination of features which make up the area are found in its commanding panorama of a naturally wild vastness. Its outstanding vistas and beauty are born from the violent contrasts, yet gentle harmony of rolling lands, steep cliffs, jagged rocks, mountain peaks, open parks of grasslands and alpine flowers, forests, wildlife, and water. The proposed Wilderness extends through the Montane, Subalpine, and Alpine life zones. Elevations are from 8,000 to 12,500 feet, with an average of 10,000 feet. I I I I I I I tJ I I I I I I I I I I I I Climate and Soils Temperatures rarely rise above 85 degrees. Summers are short, with an average growing season of 60 days; but frost can occur at any time of the year. Winter tem- peratures may drop to extremes of 40 or more degrees below zero. The average an- nual precipitation is between 30 and 40 inches, which comes mostly as snow. Soils are variable. Generally, they are fairly stable and derive from granite, sand- stone, limestone, and lava. The exception is the area to the northeast on the Routt National Forest. Soils here are of a shale origin and are a finely textured clay loam. They are fertile and productive but subject to wind and water erosion with occasional nland flows." Cover Types Broad cover types .thin the proposed Wilderness include: Engelmann spruce (dead and green) 72,775 acres Douglas-fir 305 acres Aspen 4,895 acres Brush 3,680 acres Grassland 58,690 acres Water 1,550 acres Other 335 acres Total 142,230 acres This is an area with approximately 55 percent timber cover. Lakes, ponds, open parks and valleys, and rock outcrops are interspersed throughout the scattered timber types.