High Peaks Trail

Barren outcrops of rock (in this case, the volcanic rock, rhyolite tuff) shows that physical erosion on the surface is removing weathering material before it can form soil. This pattern is common in semi-arid regions where long periods of drying occur between episodes of heavy precipitation. This is typical of higher elevations in regions with Mediterranean climates like the Coast Ranges of California (Scarciglia and others, 2007).