Cascade near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Take a Closer Look...Alpine/Subalpine Life Zone
Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, July 1, 2011
1. Take a Closer Look...Alpine/Subalpine Life Zone Marker
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Take a Closer Look...Alpine/Subalpine Life Zone. . Alpine and subalpine tundra is the low-growing vegetation found in the “land above the trees.” At this high elevation, the climate is harsh with searing winds, intense sunlight and frigid temperatures that limit the growing season. In spite of these conditions, an amazing array of hardy, yet fragile, wildflowers thrive at elevations above 11,000 feet. Look for bright blue alpine forget-me-nots, bold yellow sunflowers, and other tundra plants that are well-adapted to the weather extremes of the high country. The animals that live at this altitude have also adapted to the rugged alpine environment. The flexible hooves of the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep enable it to easily climb on rocky slopes. The yellow-bellied marmot spends most of the warmer months eating to prepare for its long, winter hibernation. In contrast, the pika stores food in underground dens and remains active all winter.
Alpine and subalpine tundra is the low-growing vegetation found in the “land above the trees.” At this high elevation, the climate is harsh with searing winds, intense sunlight and frigid temperatures that limit the growing season. In spite of these conditions, an amazing array of hardy, yet fragile, wildflowers thrive at elevations above 11,000 feet. Look for bright blue alpine forget-me-nots, bold yellow sunflowers, and other tundra plants that are well-adapted to the weather extremes of the high country.
The animals that live at this altitude have also adapted to the rugged alpine environment. The flexible hooves of the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep enable it to easily climb on rocky slopes. The yellow-bellied marmot spends most of the warmer months eating to prepare for its long, winter hibernation. In contrast, the pika stores food in underground dens and remains active all winter.
Location. 38° 55.301′ N, 105° 1.549′ W. Marker is near Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is in Cascade. It is on Pike's Peak Toll Road. Marker is located at the Crystal Reservoir Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cascade CO 80809, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range and in Pikes Peak Region. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 843 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
