Cogswell 1950 "Journal" 15 Snow Lab, above (= Central Sierras Snow Laboratory operated by U.S. Civil Engineers), 3/4 mi. E Soda Springs, Nevada Co., Calif. -- 7000-7100 ft., in eastern part of Sec. 23, R 14 E, T 17 N. VEG. TYPES: dense to patchy coniferous forest (Abies magnifica, Pinus murrayana, Pinus jeffreyi, the last chiefly on higher, drier slopes); moist montane chaparral, similar to that on Signal Hill (q.v.) but with less solid stands (Prunus emarginata, Populus tremuloides, Ceanothus velutinus, Arctostaphylos patula etc.). VISIT: June 22. Soda Springs, 6750 ft., near (N of) Lake Van Norden dam, and on S.P.RR. & U.S. highway 40, 3 mi. W Donner Pass, Nevada Co., Calif. -- in western part of Sec. 23, R 14 E, T 17 N. VEG. TYPES: coniferous forest border & scattered trees (Pinus murrayana, this only near dam, plus Abies magnifica elsewhere); bits of grassy meadow & slope of earth dam; cleared, bouldery & forb-covered ski slope; riparian thickets (Salix sp., Alnus tenuifolia); stream with few large pools & rocky bed below this; lake (see L. Van Norden); horse corral & environs of buildings. VISITS: near dam -- June 18, 20 (twice); July 4; Aug. 1 (twice) to "town" portion, including up highway to Norden & Donner Pass -- (transporting campers to & from Sugar Bowl Lodge) -- June 18; July 2, 16, 30; Aug. 13, 26. Star Lake -- see p. 16 Sugar Bowl Lodge, 7000 ft. (perhaps closer to 6900 ft.) 1.2 mi. SSW Donner Pass, Placer Co., Calif. -- near S edge of Sec. 20 (Sec. 19 missing), R 15 E, T 17 N. VEG. TYPES: coniferous forest (Abies magnifica, Pinus murrayana, Pinus monticola) in moderate to dense stands, the trees averaging about 70-90 ft. tall, with occasional old, broken topped firs much taller; apparently regrowth since near-complete logging in 1870's(?). understory is scanty (? because of deep snows)(Ribes viscoissimum, Ribes sp. of currant, Ribes sp. of gooseberry, (Lonicera conjugialis), plus abundant late summer growth of herbs); forest border areas modified by chalet-type buildings; stream or drainage-channel areas with riparian thickets (Alnus tenuifolia; Salix sp.); cleared ski slopes in front of lodge (across stream from it) nearly bare in early summer, but with abundant herb growth progressing thru many aspects in few weeks of summer (Corn Lily, Columbine, Senecio sp., Eriogonum, Potentilla, Epilobium, various Pentstemons, Mimulus, Castillejas, & Lupines among many others).