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ft. & there along the course of a small stream flowing down a steep north slope from a spring that gushes out in the trail were a few firs. For several miles along the road a fire had swept the forest clear of undergrowth of all kinds & even climbed up the pines & withered the needles on their branch tips. Across a cañon on the slope of the main summit that arose a few hundred feet higher than our trail the fire was still burning fiercely. The woods were dry from long drought & the very steep slopes descending for one to 2 or 3 thousand ft. do not hold moisture. When we reached the divide at about 10000 ft. we passed at once from the dry north slope facing the valley to the moister south slope where the damp coast winds foster a more vigorous vegetation. Many large oaks were mingled with the pines & considerable brushy undergrowth was found. A few miles beyond this we came out into a small park-like opening in the forest where a small stream is found & several rude cabins are located. The alt. is 10000 ft. & the climate very cold with almost a nightly frost during all the winter months. The cabins here are occupied by vaqueros & their families & in addition to attending to their cattle they make ice in wooden troughs set near the water & cut pitch-pine for sale in the valley.