Extremes of temperature and precipitation. Open landscape with Colorado Pinyon Pine and one-seed juniper trees. Pinyon jay and large rock squirrel common to the area. Largest stand of ponderosa pine trees in North America. Seasons characterized into long winters, harsh droughts, and strong monsoons.
Fire plays an extensive role in forest ecology.
Abert Squirrel, Rocky Mountain Elk, Steller's Jay, and broad tailed hummingbirds found extensively in this region. Rich moist soil supports stands of Douglas and white fire with limber pine and quaking aspen. Black bears, mule deers, and elk can be found in this zone. At the timberline, dwarf Engelmann spruce and bristlecone pine cling to the mountain in a harsh environment. The water pipit can be found at the timberline and bighorn sheep used to be found there as well.