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,.---- The spectacular canyons of Dinosaur are generally hidden from people in the surrounding valleys, but their presence is suggested by the dramatic canyon portals of Split Mountain and the Gates of Lodore. One must climb to the high plateaus to view them. Their ruggedness and inaccessibility bring on feelings of mystery, awe, and challenge. The Green River and its main tributary, the Yampa, continue to cut the land deeply, revealing an intriguing geologic textbook. The character of the rivers is constantly changing, depending upon the geology and varying resistances to erosion of the formations they pass through. The flow of the Green is now controlled by Flaming George Dam 30 miles upstream from the monument. The Yampa is the last major free river left in the entire Colorado River drainage; a reservoir has been proposed for a part of the river outside the monument. The high plateaus along the canyon rims of Dinosaur National Monument offer spectacular views of the canyons and rivers. The river canyons have cut the monument into four distinct highlands, each accessible in varying degrees from the outside. The best views can be had from the Blue Mountain Plateau. Two thousand feet below Blue Mountain Plateau, and accessible by ranching roads, is the wide Yampa Bench, which has remained relatively unchanged since the days of early settlement. The outer edge of this bench drops off in 1 ,OOO-foot cliffs to the Yampa River below. Breaks in the cliffs allow access to the river at only a few places, such as Echo Park and Mantle Ranch. 1260 In this semi-arid environment, the canyons provide an oasis for many different plant and animal communities that have been altered in varying degrees by isolation, domestic grazing, and other influences of man. Here, ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir are often found at much lower elevations than usual, in cool, protected box canyons and on ledges. Rare animals such as mountain lion and bighorn sheep are able to survive in the canyons because of the protective isolation. Man has also found refuge and sustenance in the canyons. Early man was attracted to the sheltered canyons, rich bottom lands, and abundant wildlife: archeological evidence suggests he was here as early as 6000 B.C. The most extensive occupation was between 400 and 800 A.D. by the Fremont Culture, northernmost cousins of the Basketmaker and Pueblo peoples of the Southwest. These nomadic hunters and gathers settled along the fertile river bottoms and became farmers. I n historic times, the area to the north was occupied by 3