Mosca in Alamosa County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Sangre de Cristo Ecosystem

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Photographed By Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

1. Sangre de Cristo Ecosystem Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Different Life Zones Exist in the Mountains
Imagine climbing the mountain in front of you. You might notice it gets cooler as you ascend. As the temperature drops, moisture in the air condenses, precipitation increases, and creates different life zones.

The Alpine Life Zone
Only low shrubs and a few hardy plants can survive this cold, windy climate.

The Subalpine Life Zone
These dense, moist forests consist of spruce and subalpine fir trees.

The Montane Life Zone
Aspen trees mark moist locations. Ponderosa Pines are typical of drier sites in this live zone.

The Foothills Life Zone
Pinons and junipers dominate this dry shrub ecosystem.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Features.

Location. 37° 43.974′ N, 105° 30.738′ W. Marker is in Mosca, Colorado, in Alamosa County.

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Marker can be reached from Highway 150. The marker is located near the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11999 Highway 150, Mosca CO 81146, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Mountain Barrier (within shouting distance of this marker); Zebulon Pike's "sand-hills" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dimensions (approx. half a mile away); Stepping into Wilderness (approx. half a mile away); A Landmark for People (approx. 2.2 miles away); "Totally Unique and Unexpected" (approx. 3.2 miles away); Understanding the Great Sand Dunes System: the Sand Sheet (approx. 6.9 miles away); Sounds of Silence (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mosca.

The Parking Lot and the Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

2. The Parking Lot and the Mountain

Entrance to the Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

3. Entrance to the Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 762 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 2, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.