Indians and pioneers made tea from its needles. Songbirds and squirrels eat the seeds, and deer, rabbits and red squirrels browse on the twigs. This is the final stop on the West Rim Trail. As the gorge clearly demonstrates, landforms have a profound impact on living things. The erosion of Stony Brook Glen over thousands of years has created an environment that is as dramatically varied in its plant life as it is in its topography.
Animal life is affected as well.
The oaks on the rims provide acorns that feed most woodland mammals and some birds. Much of the interior of the gorge is rugged and barren, providing little food for wildlife. Waterthrushes and other birds search for food along the stream. Juncos and phoebes nest in the cliffs. The gorge is a local barrier to the easy movement of most nonflying animals.