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San Francisco Peaks: The summits of r of the high continental peaks are granitic, 'i oceanic portions of the crust, basaltic rocks far the most abundant. Islands in the Toceans represent mountain peaks far higher (those found on the continents, yet the sum-I of these peaks are basaltic in composition, typical continental border lands and the nt oceanic belts, igneous rocks of inter-compositions are abundant. They are andesites, or intrusive diorites.In the Colorado, or Front Range, there are six peaks over 14,000 feet: Sawatch Range, 12 peaks; in the Sangre de eight; in the San Juan, eleven; in the •a Nevada, ten. In Park Range (not group) and in the Pikes Peak Group, there is one in each. The highest peaks belong to the Cascade Range. Mount McKinley in Alaska is 20,300 feet above sea-level; Mount Logan is 19,500 feet; Mount Saint Elias, 18,008 ; Mount Rainier, 14,408. Many of the peaks of this vast system, especially in the Cascade Range, are extinct volcanoes. In Mexico and Central America there are a number of active volcanoes. Orizaba, 18,696 feet in height; Popocatepetl, 17,883 and Ixtaccihuatl 17,338, are among the highest active volcanoes.
The national park is noted for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. More than 200 species of birds, resident and migratory, 60 species of mammals, and 15 species of reptiles and amphibians have been reported. Between the canyon Floor at Phantom Ranch and the San Francisco Peaks, 60 miles (96 km) southeast and 11,400 feet (3,475 meters) higher, are found the same differences in plant life that occur between subtropical and Arctic latitudes. |
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