This field study is located among the Southern San Juan Mountains in a high alpine environment. Three high elevation soil trenches were dug in order to extract information on sediment maturity and mineralogy of the research area. The water table in this zone is high and shares similar characteristics with the adjacent valley that can be classified as a fen. After collecting the soil samples for X-ray diffraction (XRD), it was recognized that an iron rich chlorite was present as well as quartz. The lack of organic material and clays suggest immature sediments. The blue coloration in the minimal clay content suggests anoxia. Collectively, this data alongside glacial striations carved into the Uncompahgre Quartzite Bedrock 1.25 Km north and 600 ft. higher in elevation suggests soils that could be classified as inceptisols. Less than .1 km from the study area alpine fens and lakes are present. Evidence derived from this field study suggests that previous soils were likely removed as a result of glacial activity during the Last Glacial Maximum. The swallets along the Northwestern fault boundary are an active draining mechanism and has likely been draining this valley since the last glacial maximum.
