North Sixshooter Peak

Data Sheet

NORTH SIX-SHOOTER CREEK

General Description: This northwest view of Sixshooter Peak was taken from a mid-shelf of South Sixshooter Peak. The area is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

Soils: Two soils are found in the valley between Sixshooter Peaks. Soils on the far side of the mid-scene drainage area consist of Thoroughfare very deep (over 60 inches) alluvium derived primarily from red sandstone. This specific soil is a well drained fine sandy loam. Soil on the near side of the drainage is a Moenkopie-rock complex. Moenkopie soils are gravelly loam sands derived from sandstone. They are well drained and shallow, ranging from 3 to 20 inches to bedrock.

Precipitation: Thirty three years of precipitation records taken at Canyonlands National Park some 5 miles west of this location indicates an average annual precipitation rate of 8.40 inches.

Legal Description: NW1/4NE1/4 Section 6 T.31S., R.21E.

COMPARISON: Little appreciable change is apparent when comparing the 1927 and 1999 images. The ephemeral drainage has narrowed and is somewhat more vegetated. Harsh soil conditions and limited precipitation combine to limit vegetation development potentials here. Moenkopie derived soils are not conducive for grass production. Plant species present include blackbrush, shadscale, Mormon tea, fourwing saltbush, snakeweed, Indian ricegrass, curlygrass and cheatgrass. A few additional juniper trees have established since 1927.

Original:
Date: 1927 (- A)
Photographer: A.A. Baker
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
Photograph Number: Baker No. 237

Retake:
Date: June 16, 1999 (- B)
Photographer: Earl Hindley
Source: San Juan County