Each year in late September, Morris Gulch turns into a golden river of aspen trees. In contrast, the drier slopes of the montane zone support smaller trees and shrubs. Three-leaf sumac is a montane shrub that can turn brilliant shades of crimson or gold in fall. In summer, it produces sticky red berries that taste like a sour lemon drop; these have been used by pioneers and Indian tribes to make lemonade. Three-leaf sumac is also known as "lemonade bush" because of its lemony red berries.

Rocky Mountain beeplants generate a lot of questions from visitors in mid-summer. They resemble some kind of exotic tropical flower, and like tropical flowers need abundant moisture. They grow profusely in wet summers or in wet areas of grasslands or montane woodlands.

Also, Abert's squirrels are jokingly referred to as "scrabbits" because of their rabbit-like ears. They are found only in coniferous montane forests. The Abert's squirrel is named after Colonel John James Abert, an American naturalist of the 19th century. Abert's squirrels live in and eat various parts of the ponderosa pine, including seeds, inner bark, cones, and buds. They also consume mushrooms, carrion, bones, and antlers. They build nests up to about 2 feet (61cm) wide, where they raise 2-5 young. Abert's squirrels are only active in daylight hours; at night they retreat to their nests to sleep.

Credits and Sources:

“Great Sand Dunes: Mammals,” National Park Service,  http://www.nps.gov/grsa/learn/nature/mammals.htm, Accessed on June 28, 2015.

“Great Sand Dunes: Natural Features and Ecosystems,” National Park Service, http://www.nps.gov/grsa/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm, Accessed on June 29, 2015.

“Great Sand Dunes: Plants,” National Park Service,  http://www.nps.gov/grsa/learn/nature/plants.htm Accessed on June 28, 2015.