Trees
Limber pine
A slow-growing native pine of harsh mountain sites, with five needles in each bundle.
Douglas-fir
A native mountain conifer whose hanging cones have distinctive three-pointed bracts.
Despite its name, Douglas-fir is not a true fir. It is native to Utah and other western states. Utah State University describes flat, blunt needles attached singly to the twig, with foliage ranging from yellow-green to blue-green.
Its hanging cones offer a particularly useful clue: a three-pointed woody bract projects from each cone scale. Young trunks have smoother gray-brown bark with resin blisters; older trunks develop thick, rough bark. Compare the cones and needles together rather than relying on color alone.
Seeing it
Examine features visible from the trail without pulling off foliage or cones. Keep identification observational; this profile is not a collection or foraging guide.