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<br />range is included within the proposed boundary. Bedrock in the area consists of several <br />varieties of crystalline and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian Age. Paleozoic and Meso- <br />zoic sediments were deposited over much of the area but subsequent uplift of the Gore <br />Range accompanied by erosive processes has stripped the sediments from the highlands. <br />The Paleozoic and Mesozoic formations are now exposed mainly along the flanks of the <br />range. Glaciers occupied most of the major valleys in Quaternary time; and conseq- <br />uently, the valleys are blanketed by glacial and other surficial deposits. <br /> <br />Mt. Powell. 13,534 feet, is the highest in the area. There are 17 peaks over 13,000 <br />feet, and 33 over 12.000 feet. Numerous knife-edge ridges from 12,000 feet to over <br />13,000 feet in elevation break up the proposed Wilderness into deep, narrow valleys. <br /> <br />Thirteen named lakes and over forty unnamed lakes are dispersed through the area. <br />Headwaters of the Piney River and many tributaries of the Eagle River and Blue River <br />are included within the proposed boundary. All of these rivers are tributaries of the <br />Colorado River. <br /> <br />The Montane. Subalpine, and Alpine vegetative life zones are included within the <br />area. Elevations are from 7.850 feet to 13,534 feet, with a median of over 10,500 feet. <br /> <br />Climate and Soils <br /> <br />Average annual precipitation is between 25 and 30 inches and occurs chiefly in the <br />form of snow. Summer rain showers are usually of short duration and frequently produce <br />hail and sleet. June and September are usually the dry months. <br /> <br />Summer temperatures rarely exceed a maximum of 80 degrees and prevail from <br />June through September. Winter minimums may reach 30 to 50 degrees below zero <br />Fahrenheit. The growing season averages less than 60 days and there are practically <br />no extended frost free periods at the higher elevations. <br /> <br />Soils are developing on parent material derived from granite, schist, and gneiss. <br />These soils occur on the steep mountain slopes under a cover of trees or alpine tun. <br />They are rocky. very acid, have varying depths and are adapted to the rapid movement <br />of water. There is very little erosion on these soils if the litter or vegetative protection <br />is not destroyed. <br /> <br />The bedrock has been altered considerably by glaciation. Along many of the drain- <br />ages, terminal moraines can be found as well as areas of glacial till and outwash. There <br />are also more recent deposits of rock debris below ridges. on steep slopes and on moun- <br />tain peaks. Soil development on these glacial. colluvial. and residual soils differ because <br />of the wide variation in elevation, climate. vegetation, and topography. The expression <br />of soil characteristics is greatly influenced by these changes in the environment. <br /> <br />1352 <br /> <br />5 <br />