The sandstone is calcareous and some lenses contain sodium and gypsum. In some pedons the bedrock has been weathered sufficiently in the upper few inches to allow a C horizon, but the paralithic contact is always above 40 inches. These are the Amesha , Fiveoh , and McFadden series. These soils are deep and have frigid soil temperatures. In addition, Amesha soils have less than 5 percent coarse fragments in the control section, and Fiveoh soils have hue of 7.5YR or 5YR in the Bk horizon.
Cryluha soils are on sloping, dissected pediments, fan aprons, and toeslope positions.
These soils are cryic, but relatively dry due to wind action and snow sublimation. Slopes are 1 to 15 percent. Elevations are 6,800 to 8,000 feet. The mean annual precipitation is about 10 to 14 inches with about half falling as snow or rain in April, May, and early June. The frost-free season is estimated to range from 60 to 90 days, but frost may occur at any time depending upon aspect, elevation, and air drainage.