These soils formed in colluvium derived from materials weathered from igneous and metamorphic crystalline rocks such as granite, mica gneiss, hornblende gneiss, and schist. Near the type location, mean annual air temperature is about 52 degrees F., and mean annual precipitation is about 70 inches. Slope ranges from 2 to 95 percent. Solum thickness ranges from 40 to more than 60 inches. Depth to bedrock is more than 72 inches.
Reaction is very strongly acid to slightly acid, in the A horizon, unless limed.
The Bw and lower horizons are very strongly acid to moderately acid. In the upper 40 inches, content of rock fragments, dominantly of gravel to stone size, ranges up to 35 percent. Below 40 inches, rock fragment content may range up to 60 percent. Content of mica flakes ranges from few to common. The A or Ap horizon has hue of 5YR to 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1 to 3.