Modern Climate, Flora and Fauna:

The water system drainage consists of, Ring, Skookum and Zig Zag Creeks. These creeks flow into the Mamquam river which in turn flows into the Squamish river, the main regional drainage (see figure 1 and 2).

Physiographically the area is highly mountainous (see figure 3). The most notable peak Mount Garibaldi, rises to and altitude of 2,678 meters a.s.l. (See figure 3). Less notable peaks range in altitude of 1,800 to 2,000 meters a.s.l. The range of habitats on these mountains is great. This variation creates pockets or micro-niches that support a variety of plant and animal life.

The treeless alpine tundra has a very short growing season and low degree soil development. True alpine areas are characterized by very steep slopes with rock outcrops. Cliffs, large boulders, rock fields, talus and scree slopes create an unstable landscape. Wet runnels, gullies and avalanche tracks are common. Plant cover is sparse and discontinuous. Only saxifrages, ferns, buttercups, grasses, sedges, lichens and bryophytes grow in these areas. (Bennet 1976; Douglas 1972; Lettmerding 1976; Pojar and McKinnon 1994; Reichel 1986; Valentine 1976; Van Ryswyk and Okazaki 1979).

The more sheltered and vegetated sub-alpine zone can be divided up into three main types of communities (see figure 5); The Sub-alpine Park Land, the Heath and True Meadow (Bennet 1976; Douglas 1972; Lettmerding 1976; Pojar and Mackinnon 1994; Reichel 1986).

The Sub-alpine Park Land is dominated by Mountain Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), yellow cedar (Chaecyparis nootkatensis) and sub-alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). The sub alpine parkland community usually occurs on gently sloping mountain sides just above the lower Mountain Hemlock zone (Pojar and Mackinnon 1994).

The Heath community of plants are characterized by numerous types of dwarf-like shrubby evergreen member of the heather family. Common species occurring in these gently sloping fields include black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), partridge foot (Luetkea pectinata), birds' beak lousewart (Pedicularia orithorynch). The low growing plants create a mat like growth that has a spongy feeling underfoot. The sheer mass of these plant obscures the true features of the landscape (Pojar and Mackinnon 1994).

True meadows are the most picturesque of sub-alpine plant communities. Dominated by species of herbs, this plant community is in full bloom during late summer months. Common plants include arrow leafed groundsel (Senicio triangularis) sub-alpine daisy (Erigeron peregrinus), Sitka valerian (Valeriania sitchensis), Arctic lupine (Lupinus articus), Indian hellebore (Veratrum viride), Gentiana, sedges, grasses and purple mountain hair-grass (Vahodea atropurpurea) (Pojar and Mackinnon 1994).

Notable animal species which seasonally inhabit sub-alpine and alpine areas include, black bear (Ursus americanus), grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis), mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), elk (Cervus canadensis leuconotus), deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus), snowshoe hair (Lepus americanus pallidus), and yellow bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris avara). Bird species which seasonally visit or inhabit sub-alpine and alpine regions include, Canadian geese (Branta canadensis), grouse (Dendragrapus abscurus), and ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus) (Pojar and Mackinnon 1994; Reichel 1986).