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• A number of onimals were observed during the fieldwork. These include deer, elk, cot- <br />~ tontail, jackrabbit, porcupine, 13-striped ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmot, coyote, <br />red shafted flicker, vultures, hawks, a falcon, garter snakes, and a large number of <br />rattlesnakes. <br />Paleocl imate2 <br />There has been little paleaclimatological research in this portion of Colorado. However, <br />it may be possible to suggest several trends. Amore precise synthesis of Colorado east <br />slope paleoclimate, drawing from a number of sources, especially the work of James <br />Benedict, is present in Burney, et af. (1979). During late Wisconsin times, The Pinedale <br />glaciation, one of three advances, occurred in Colorado. Climate was moister and cooler <br />in the summers and winters (Richmond 1965).3 Temperatures during the summer at 8,000 <br />feet could have been similar to those of 11,700 feet today (Rusted 1962}. <br />After the Pinedale glaciation, the altithermal brought an increase in temperature and a <br />decrease in moisture (Outcalf and MacPhail 1965). Several fluctuations occurred during <br />• the altithermal, with the altithermal maximum occurring at 7,500-6,500 BP, probably <br />~ causing the abandonment of mony areas and causing The use of higher elevations as <br />~' refuge areas (Benedict 1975). An expansion of the sagebrush steppe and recession of the <br />forest probably occurred at this time (Lishka 1976), and shifted vegetational communities <br />upward. <br />Since the altithermal, there have been three small glaciations (Millington 1977). Cooler <br />summers and increased snowfall can be postulated during these stages, but as severe a <br />change as occurred during Pinedale times cannot be postulated. The likely effect was a <br />slight lowering of vegetational communities and increased runoff during the spring. <br />• <br /> <br />5-4 <br />