Forest vegetation of hemlock and spruce occurs along river corridors within mountain passes. The alpine tundra vegetation in this Section provides habitat for a limited number of species. Mountain goats utilize these high elevation habitats during the summer. Killing frost can occur at any time of the year. Surface Water Characteristics.
Streams are steep and fast flowing.
A few small lakes lie in rock basins on valley floors and in mountainside hollows in the ice-free portions. Wetlands occupy less than 3 percent of the area. Snow avalanches create large-scale vegetation disturbances. Wildfire is of little consequence. Human settlements and uses of the area are few.