Aspen-Mirror Lake

1941

2004

Description:

Plate 588X. Aspen-Mirror Lake 1941 – 2004 Viewed southwest across Aspen-Mirror Lake. Duck Creek is on the left. The original was taken early in the spring when the lake was still frozen and aspen not yet leafed-out. Conifers, primarily ponderosa pine, spruce, and white fir, have increased. Aspen has regenerated in the foreground because the lakeside has not been grazed by livestock for many years and there is little utilization by deer or elk, as the area is so heavily used by people. This is one of the few places in southern Utah where aspen has actually increased. Shrubs in the foreground include currant, bitterbrush, snowberry, green rabbitbrush, chokecherry, common juniper, Utah serviceberry, and rose. Woody vegetation now blocks the original camera station, so the retake was made from the nearest open area. The lake is still present (see Plate 589x), but is blocked from view by the growth of conifers and aspen. There is some use by mule deer, as several aspen saplings have been highlined.

Photo Information:

U.S. Forest Service photograph taken in 1939; retake by Charles E. Kay on August 9, 2004 - - Photo No. 5376-29. Original photograph held by Southern Utah University Archives and Special Collections, Cedar City, UT.

Vegetative Community:

Conifer, Aspen, Mountain Brush

Location:

South West: Section 7, Range 7 West, Township 38 South; UTM 352250 E, 4154300 N; elevation 8,480 ft.

January 2018