REV96622 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• Sylvester Gulch which lie about 1500' downslope from the study ar_a. The closest permanent water source is the north fork of the Gunnison which lies about one mile north of the study area. Upper Cretaceous age Mesaverde sandstopes, shales, and coal depos- its underlie the area. Soils formed from these sediments are tan and sandy with rock debris. Soil depth is estimated to be from 2-SOcm depending on slope and vegetation. Most of the study area supports dense oakbrush and serviceberry, with chokecherry, snowberry, and rose, and a heavy understory of grasses and fortis. The area is generally treeless except for scattered stands of aspen. Ground cover is about 60%. Faunal sign and observation Sndicate use of the area by elk, mule deer, black bear, coyote, and rabbit. The area is also grazed by cattle. The climate is characterized by cold winters with temperatures below freezing for several months. At least half of the annual precipitation of from 15 to 20 inches falls as snow. Optimum growing season is mid- May to mid-July. (SCS, 1975: Range site description No. 239). • Despite the extreme brush-covered slopes, the area probably attracted aboriginals on a seasonal basis by virtue of its excellent hunting and gathering resources. Local springs would have provided ideal campsites for use from late spring to late fall. K1dOWN CULTURAL RESOURCES A search of the Colorado Archaeological Site Inventory, the Colorado Inventory of Historic Sites, and nominations pending or on the National Register of Historic Places, produced no known archaeological and/or his- torical/architectural resources within the impact area of the proposed drill holes or access roads (see Appendix A for documentation of files search). However, as documented by the files search, a study conducted in 1976-77 by Fort Lewis College located two historic sites within 0.5 mile of the study area (Applegarth and Hurlbutt, 1977). Site 5GN036, located in the SE~NE~ Section 16, includes two partially standing stone structures and a possible third structure consisting of two upright burnt poles with associated debris; site SGN037, located in NE~NEw Sec. 21, comprises two plank and log buildings and the remains of a root cellar with a stone wall • front. Both sites were determined to be eligible to the NRHP during field 3