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I \I __. ----.. ..--_,,; U, ~._~I..~_ .... ...... ~"-"-~i1-/"!t' -(t- ...:.J.si ( . "'-'_ ",.' I~ . ~. -.~ '.- ~ I"--~: - -,---.. .r .. " ., ,- ,...... .- -t;~ ..... - ~ "w ' '.;;.!"-,,.,... .:.; , .' , ~. Four Corners National Monument - The only point in the United States common to four state corners In ~"o,o CLIMATE The climate of the basin varies from alpine in the high mountains to desert at the low elevations. The higher part of the basin ;s in Colorado with more than 30 peaks of the San Juan mountains ranging from 12.000 to over 14,000 feet elevation. The highest point ;s Windom Peak in Colorado which rises to 14,084 feet. The lowest elevation of the basin ;s at the confluence of the Colorado and San Juan Rivers - 3.600 feet above sea level. The areas above 10.000 feet elevation have higher precipitation. lower winter tem- peratures and cooler summer temperatures. The areas under 7.000 feet have relatively mild winters. hot summers. and low precipita- tion. The basin is in the zone of westerly winds. As wet air masses move inland and are lifted at the high mountains of the San Juan and the Continental Divide. they release large quantities of moisture in the form of snow in the winter months and cool rains in the summer months. The precipitation increases as the air mass rises higher and is further cooled. Intermediate elevations have moderate cli- mate and rainfall. pagosa Springs. Colorado at an elevation of 7,200 feet, has a mean annual precipitation of about 20 inches. (Average Annual Precipitation Map follows page 111-2). Mexican Hat, Utah at an elevation of 4,250 feet. has a mean annual preci- pitation of only slightly more than 6 inches. The frost-free period at Pagosa Springs averages under 80 days with a mean high temperature of 640F. and a mean low of just under 20oF. The 111-2