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The scree slope lies beneath a high cliff where loose rock has accumulated over many seasons. The surface is a mixture of angular fragments, ranging from small chips to blocks the size of a chair. Sunlight reaches the slope early and warms the stones quickly.

A faint line of darker material crosses the scree from a notch in the cliff. It marks where runoff has carried fine sediment downhill. The line is narrow near the top and broadens where the slope becomes less steep.

Several stones shift when the wind passes, though none move far. A small clatter travels down the slope and stops against a larger block. I remain on solid ground beyond the scree edge, watching the stones settle.

A patch of alpine grass grows beside a boulder. Its roots hold a small pocket of soil, and tiny flowers rise from the center. The plant's low shape keeps it sheltered from the strongest gusts.

How loose rock settles

The scree fragments are sharp and irregular. Many show pale surfaces where they broke recently, while older stones have darker coatings. Their angles lock together in some places and leave open gaps in others.

At the slope's base, finer gravel forms a shallow fan. It spreads outward onto a flatter bench, where plants can take root. A few stones roll down after heavy rain and leave narrow tracks in the fan.

A large block sits above the middle of the slope. Its lower side is embedded in gravel, while its upper surface is dry and warm. Lichen covers the shaded face in gray patches.

The slope's angle changes near a shelf of bedrock. Stones accumulate above the shelf and spill around both ends. The bedrock breaks the fall of material and creates a small area of relative stability.

Water among the stones

A brief shower leaves droplets on the upper blocks. Water runs through gaps rather than across the surface, disappearing beneath loose rock. Lower down, a small seep emerges at the edge of the gravel fan.

The seep forms a damp patch where moss and tiny ferns grow. Their roots reach between stones and into darker sediment. A few insects gather at the water, then retreat beneath a flat fragment.

A narrow channel carries runoff along the slope's eastern side. It is partly filled with gravel and pine needles. Water has carved a shallow groove beneath the material, visible where a small stone has shifted.

A pool has formed in a depression behind a boulder. It is clear and no deeper than a few inches. A water strider moves across the surface, making rings that reach the stone edge.

Plants at the stable margins

Pioneer plants grow where fine sediment accumulates. Small cushion flowers hold the soil around their roots and protect seeds from being washed away. Their leaves are silver-green and close to the ground.

A dwarf willow spreads across a narrow shelf. Its branches are low and flexible, with new leaves emerging at the tips. Wind presses the plant toward the slope, giving its growth a flattened profile.

Moss covers the north side of several large blocks. It stays damp longer than the gravel and forms a green strip beneath each overhang. A few tiny mushrooms appear after the shower.

A bird has placed dried grass in a crevice between two boulders. The material is woven loosely and partly hidden from view. The gap provides shelter from wind and direct sun.

The slope under strong light

By midday, the scree surface becomes warm enough to release a dry mineral smell. Heat rises from the darker stones, while the shaded gaps remain cool. A lizard moves from one sunlit block to another and pauses near the boulder with lichen.

Cloud shadows pass over the cliff and spread across the slope. The rocks change from pale gray to charcoal, and the warm air cools slightly. When sunlight returns, the bright surface appears sharper against the cliff's darker recesses.

A gust carries fine dust upward from the gravel fan. It settles on a plant's leaves and dulls their color. A later shower will wash the dust away and carry some of it farther downhill.

A few stones tumble from the upper notch after the temperature changes. The movement is small but audible. They stop against the shelf of bedrock, adding to the pile that has gathered there.

Animals using the slope

A marmot appears at the edge of the scree and whistles once. It stands upright beside a grass clump, scanning the open ground before returning to its burrow. The burrow entrance is hidden among several large stones.

A small bird hops between blocks, searching for insects in the gaps. It pauses beneath an overhang and emerges with a dark beetle. The bird carries the beetle toward the grass patch at the base.

A spiderweb stretches between two stems near the seep. It is anchored to a small stone and a grass blade. Droplets from the shower remain on the threads and catch the sun.

An ant trail follows the stable edge of the scree. The insects carry tiny pieces of plant matter between the gravel and a nest beneath the boulder. Their route avoids the loose central section.

A slope in continual adjustment

The scree slope changes through repeated cycles of rockfall, runoff, wind, and plant growth. Large stones create barriers, while fine gravel moves around them. Water finds gaps and carries sediment toward the flatter ground below.

Plants establish only where some stability exists. Their roots hold pockets of soil and slow further movement. Small animals use spaces between rocks for shelter, warmth, and routes across the slope.

The bedrock shelf divides the slope into zones. Above it, fragments remain loose; below it, gravel spreads into a fan that can support more vegetation. A small difference in angle changes the material that accumulates.

A maintenance marker near the lower edge warns that rockfall remains possible after heavy rain. The path stays outside the slope's runout area, leaving the scree undisturbed. From there, I can observe without stepping onto unstable stones.

The late sun lowers and the stones cool. Shadows lengthen from the boulders across the gravel, emphasizing the slope's uneven surface. A lizard disappears into a crevice, and the seep continues to trickle into its small pool.

The scree is neither bare nor settled. Plants, insects, and birds use its stable pockets, while loose rock continues to shift after weather changes. Its surface records small movements, each one adding another layer to the slope below the cliff.

Deposits at the cliff base

Near the cliff base, a small accumulation cone has formed beneath a crack in the rock. The newest fragments are pale and sharp, while older pieces around them carry dust and lichen. A low marker stands well outside the cone, reminding visitors that the cliff can shed material without warning. The boundary keeps people away while preserving a clear view of the slope's changing deposit.

A few hardy plants grow in the cone's outer edge, where fine soil has collected between stones. Their roots do not bind the whole slope, but they hold small pockets in place. A bee visits one pale flower, then disappears toward the lower grass patch. The plant's presence indicates that some parts of the scree remain stable long enough for flowering and seed formation.

At sunset, the upper cliff receives the last light while the scree below falls into shadow. The temperature drops quickly and a faint breeze moves downhill. Small stones click against one another as they cool and settle. The sound is brief, but it emphasizes that the slope continues adjusting even when no visible rockfall occurs.