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• Geology <br />A brief statement of general geology taken from the Seneca 2-W <br />report indicates that the surface exposures are chiefly upper <br />Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Mesa Verde group overlain by <br />Lewis shale. Other formations such as Lance, Fort Union and Wasatch <br />overlie these lower beds. Sandstones are dominant but certain shale <br />beds give rise to tough clay soils such as the Aaberg and Binco series <br />which have a very high content of clay. <br />Vegetation <br />Vegetation mapping was not a requirement of this survey. However, <br />the Seneca 2-W Report gives for that area in the next township west <br />at elevations of around 6000-9000 feet the following general types: <br />Aspen, Mountain Hrush, Forbs and Sagebrush-grass. Briefly, these <br />types may be described as - <br />Forbs - small thinly vegetated areas on shallow soils, shale <br />• exposures and dense clays. Some included species are Arnica (Arnica <br />sp), loco weed (Astragalus sp), Aster (Aster.sp), Spring Parsley <br />(Cymopterus sp), and Ferny Parsley (Pteryxia sp). <br />Sagebrush-grass - Types occurring on lower slopes and ridges <br />dominated by low shrubs and big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata); <br />other species include snowberry (Symphorocarpos sp) and forbs such <br />as arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), lupines (Lupinus <br />sp), clover (Trifolium), spring parsley and prairie onion (Allium <br />textile). Grasses make up a small percent of the total herbage. <br />Mountain Brush - This is a major group on sandier soils, north <br />slopes and high ridges. Species include gambell oak ( uercus <br />gambelli), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Saskatoon serviceberry <br />(Amelanchier alnifolia). Forbs include starwort (Stellaria crassifolia), <br />western yarrow (Achillea lanulosa), larkspur (Delphinium sp), and <br />Fendler meadowrue (Thalictrum fendleri). Some grasses and sedges <br />occur also. <br />Aspen types - occur on higher northfacing slopes or in pockets where <br />• snow collects or seeps provide additional moisture. Forbs occur <br />such as angelica (Angelica sp), false hellebore (Veratrum <br />-7- <br />