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031)nO From 9,000 to 11,500 feet elevation is the subalpine forest zone. The primary forest formation is the Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir community with an understory of low red huckleberry. Rocky ridges and exposed sites may be dominated by limberpine. A lodgepole pine type as a fire sere is also common in these higher elevations. Many open parks are present whose vegetation is related to the water table. Water sedge, spike rush, and Canadian reedgrass are dominants in marshy areas with various willow species common. Drier sites may be dominated by tufted hairgrass, sheep fescue, and parry's clover. Characteristic mammals in the subalpine zone are pine squirrels, pine marten, and snowshoe hare. It is a spring-fall transition range for many of the larger animals such as elk and deer. Common birds are the grey jay, Clark's nutcracker, and blue grouse. At higher elevations (over 11,500 ft.) is the alpine tundra zone. This area with its more severe climate is characterized by Kobresia, grasses, sedges, and many dwarf flowering plants. It is very sensitive to out- side disturbance and takes many years to recover from abuse. Common mammals are the pika, marmot, and pocket gopher. It represents the year around habitat for the bighorn sheep and summer range for elk and deer. Of primary importance to the wildlife is the ecotone, "krwnholz" area between the subalpine and the treeless alpine. Common birds are the whitetailed ptarmigan, water pipet, and rosy finch. The aquatic ecosystem in the park is represented by many alpine and sub- alpine mountain lakes. All maintain interesting aquatic communities, some with fish populations but many without. Free flowing, cold, clear streams flow down the valleys, also maintaining wild fish populations, including the endangered greenback cutthroat trout. Angling is allowed under special regulations. Although highly productive exotic trout sup- port most of the fishing, recent proposals call for their elimination and restoration of the native species where possible. No artificial stocking is practiced to maintain fish populations. Historic resources of the park relate primarily to those associated with modern Ute and Arapaho Indian tribes and the settlement of the area by those of the westward advancing American culture. The so-called Ute Trail traverses Trail Ridge, providing a transcontinental divide route for both tribes. Mining ventures of the late 1800's, especially on the west slope, added man's touch to the scene in the form of such short- lived settlements as Lulu City and Shipler Cabins. Settlement of both slopes brought ranchers and tourists to the park and vicinity and finally the need for a cross-mountain road and eventually (1915) establishment of the park. Early tourist accommodations such as Fern Lake Lodge and a ranger station on Hallett Creek inherited from the Forest Service remain within the proposed wilderness. 16