Utah Juniper Overlook

Description:

From about 5750 feet south of Perkins Peak looking mainly south towards Mt. Olympus and I-215, with the old highway that parallels I-80 (above and to south) visible at the bottom left. Note the exposed roots of the probably fairly old juniper. Only occasional Utah Junipers (Juniperus osteosperma) are seen in this area and they are only intermittently found along the Central Wasatch Front. Utah Junipers can hang around for a long time (one source indicates over 1,200 years). Hopefully in 500 years this tree will still be here, peacefully watching over the ever-changing valley below. While they are more commonly associated with lower elevation areas rather than ridgetops, it is here that they are truly at home (and without their Pinyon pine friends). They have received a bad rap as grassland invaders but that is due to grazing and related people-caused disturbances. If I was a Juniper, I too would want to invade grazing devastated areas.May 12, 2006, Salt Lake County, Utah