Flat Top

1920

2002

Description:

Plate 118X. Flat Top 1920-2002 Viewed west to Flat Top (9,374 ft.) between Center Creek and the West Fork of Hunt Creek. Center Creek drainage is on the right, while the West Fork of Hunt Creek is off the photo to the left. Pinyon, juniper, and other conifers have increased dramatically despite the fact that much of Flat Top and City Creek was burned by an escaped, prescribed fire early in 2002. The two, large ponderosa pine in the center of the first image were removed sometime in the past. None of the pinyon-juniper, however, has ever been cut for firewood. This is yet another example of pinyon-juniper expansion, not reinvasion. The area in the foreground was root-plowed and reseeded sometime after 1920, but black sage has reinvaded the site. Grasses appear more abundant today, despite the continued drought, than they did in earlier times. The area was lightly grazed by cattle in 2002.

Photo Information:

U.S. Forest Service photograph 47037A taken by H.W. Johnston on April 27, 1920; retake by Charles E. Kay on August 9, 2002 - - Photo No. 5024-35. Original photograph held by Southern Utah University Archives and Special Collections, Cedar City, UT.

Vegetative Community:

Pinyon, Juniper, Conifer, Sagebrush

Location:

South West: Section 28, Range 3 West, Township 34 South; UTM 400800E, 4185600N; elevation 7,720 ft.

January 2018