Stop 9
Note also that there are rock “steps” at various places along the trail. These were actually put in to stop erosion, rather than to serve as steps. When it rains the water takes the path of least resistance and flows straight downhill. Because the trail has little to no vegetation growing on it the water isn’t resisted, so the trail can easily wash out if the water isn’t diverted. Now, every time you take a “step” up, you can imagine the water getting directed over to the side of the trail by that very step.
Along this rocky outcrop the soil is shallow and dry. Plants characteristic of the shortgrass prairie of the High Plains grow here like blue and hairy grama grasses.
Notice that the grasses are getting shorter as you make your way further up the hill. Why is this happening?
