La Sal Mountains, Utah

Mt. Peale and Mt. Mellenthin tower above Geyser basin. Photo © 1977 Ray Wheeler.

The La Sal Mountains are located on the eastern border of Utah, about 15 miles east of Moab [map]. Rising over 7000 feet above the surrounding redrock canyons and mesas, the La Sals include the highest peak on the Colorado Plateau, 12,721 foot Mt. Peale, and several other lower but prominent peaks. The range occupies a relatively small area, running just 15 miles north to south and 6 miles across. The La Sals are administered by the U.S.D.A. as the Manti-Lasal National Forest.

The La Sals are composed of granitic rock, uncommon on the Colorado Plateau. The range is a classic laccolith poking up above the surrounding thick sequences of ancient sedimentary rocks. Biotic communities in the mountains range from widely scattered stands of ponderosa pine, up through quaking aspen forests and subalpine grasslands, into spruce and fir forests (as in photo above), and finally alpine tundra. The range is one of only three areas on the Colorado Plateau where one can see alpine tundra communities.

The Manti-Lasal is the largest coal producing National Forest in the nation as well as a source of timber products, other minerals, oil and gas as well as non-commercial products like Christmas trees, posts and poles, firewood, seeds, and edible plants.

Livestock grazing occurs throughout much of the La Sal high country. The range's rich grass-forb meadows serve as forage for cattle during the summer months. In recent years many of the forest's Engelmann spruce stands have suffered severe spruce beetle infestation and damage. Intensive off-road vehicle use has also created management problems for the forest.