Deertrail soils are not dry for 60 consecutive days in the moisture control section during the 90 day period following the summer solstice. Loshman soils have a paralithic contact at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Absted soils are on hillslopes, terraces, alluvial fans, piedmonts, and fan aprons. Slopes are 0 to 25 percent. These soils formed in alluvium derived from alkaline shale.
Some areas have an eolian influence on the surface layer.
Elevation is 3500 to 5500 feet. The mean annual precipitation is 10 to 14 inches with more than half falling in April, May, and June. The frost-free period is 105 to 130 days. These are the Arvada , Bidman , Bone , Cambria , Forkwood ,and the competing Lohman, soils. The Arvada soils have a natric horizon that lies directly under a A or E horizon.