Upper West Pass Exclosure

Description:

Plate 1074X. Upper West Pass Exclosures 1960 – 2005 The two exclosures were built in 1955 to exclude only livestock, not mule deer or elk. The lower exclosure, however, was grazed by livestock at various experimental densities for a number of years, while the upper one (eastern most) was not grazed by livestock since it was constructed. The lower exclosure, though, has not been grazed by livestock since the experiments ended more than 30 years ago. Both exclosures do not appear to have been reseeded, as there are virtually no non-native grasses inside either fenced plot. Instead, the exclosures are mostly needle and thread, Stipa spp., and Poa spp. The exclosures also contain three-tipped sage, lupine, and Indian paintbrush - - the latter is more abundant inside the exclosures than out. The area around the exclosures was root-plowed and reseeded with smooth brome and crested wheatgrass in 1955. Three-tipped sage has now invaded the seeded area and it has increased inside both exclosures as well. Pinyon, juniper, and ponderosa pine have increased in the distance. Judging by the woven-wire fence on each exclosure, this was once a sheep allotment, but, today the area is grazed by cattle. Stock handling corrals were built on the southwest corner of the lower exclosure.

Plate 1074x is viewed southwest inside the lower, experimentally grazed exclosure. The exclosure was very heavily grazed in 1960 but that no longer is the case. Seen in the distance are the handling corrals.

Photo Information:

U.S. Forest Service photograph (unnumbered) taken by Brunson on November 2, 1960; retake by Charles E. Kay on August 8, 2005 - - Photo No. 5531-19. Original photographs, negatives, and narrative reports held in the range files on the Cedar City Ranger District, Dixie National Forest, Cedar City, UT.

Vegetative Community:

Dry Meadow, Sagebrush, Pinyon, Juniper, Conifer

South West: Section 1, Range 7 West, Township 36 South; UTM 359800 E, 4174400 N; elevation 8,080 ft.