Commission — 2004 Caliente Field Trip
Group discussion after viewing an area that is more open and has less P/J but still higher densities of brush than desired. The area around this stop showed how a sagebrush/grass area can progress into brush dominant stands then to tree dominant stands if natural disturbance cycles are not maintained.
Cottonwood and single leafed ash along clover creek. Note the amount of use
on the riparian area. With very few riparian areas like this they are a
major draw for all grazers due to the limited herbatious plants that grow
under dense P/J.
Rocks made from volcanic ash that have weathered into what is called the Tee
Pee Rocks formation.
Everyone enjoying the view from Ely Mountain Lookout. From this area, you
can see up to 200 miles in each direction. The lookout is located about 15
miles south of Caliente.
Ponderosa pine in the draw with Pinion and Juniper on the hillsides and
benches. Ponderosa is a fire tolerant tree but is likely to be killed when
P/J/ starts coming in close around it. The P/J provides a ladder for fire
to crown and run in the ponderosa instead of staying in the brush beneath.
Old Corral at Ely Spring. The corral was probably used for a trap for
stock in the area and for horses. The riparian area below the corral is a
major attractant to livestock, horses and wildlife and is one of very few
water's with riparian vegetation in the clover mountain area. This site has
been fenced out to improve conditions that are deteriorated due to the
concentrated heavy use. Water is available at selected locations.
This photo is looking south from the Head Chaining. In the foreground are
patches of Cheatgrass that came in after a burn. In the background you can
see extensive acreages of Pinion and Juniper with very little understory.
Wildfire or prescribed burning in this region (the southern Great Basin
bordering on the Mojave) requires reseeding after fire, especially in heavy
P/J because of the threat of invasive annuals.
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Group discussion after viewing an area that is more open and has less P/J but still higher densities of brush than desired. The area around this stop showed how a sagebrush/grass area can progress into brush dominant stands then to tree dominant stands if natural disturbance cycles are not maintained.
Cottonwood and single leafed ash along clover creek. Note the amount of use
on the riparian area. With very few riparian areas like this they are a
major draw for all grazers due to the limited herbatious plants that grow
under dense P/J.
Rocks made from volcanic ash that have weathered into what is called the Tee
Pee Rocks formation.
Everyone enjoying the view from Ely Mountain Lookout. From this area, you
can see up to 200 miles in each direction. The lookout is located about 15
miles south of Caliente.
Ponderosa pine in the draw with Pinion and Juniper on the hillsides and
benches. Ponderosa is a fire tolerant tree but is likely to be killed when
P/J/ starts coming in close around it. The P/J provides a ladder for fire
to crown and run in the ponderosa instead of staying in the brush beneath.
Old Corral at Ely Spring. The corral was probably used for a trap for
stock in the area and for horses. The riparian area below the corral is a
major attractant to livestock, horses and wildlife and is one of very few
water's with riparian vegetation in the clover mountain area. This site has
been fenced out to improve conditions that are deteriorated due to the
concentrated heavy use. Water is available at selected locations.
This photo is looking south from the Head Chaining. In the foreground are
patches of Cheatgrass that came in after a burn. In the background you can
see extensive acreages of Pinion and Juniper with very little understory.
Wildfire or prescribed burning in this region (the southern Great Basin
bordering on the Mojave) requires reseeding after fire, especially in heavy
P/J because of the threat of invasive annuals.