High in the mountains, some are surprised to find wide, smooth valleys filled with tall grasses and small flowers. These valleys were carved by the passage of glaciers millennia ago, and the oldest of ancient creatures still recall the image of the ice that covered such places. Now, however, they are isolated and beautiful. Because of the altitude of these valleys, most plants that thrive at lower elevations do not grow here. Trees are few and far between; those that do grow are short and gnarled, growing so slowly that a tree centuries old may be the size of the saplings found downmountain. In the spring, the meadow comes alive with tiny flowers in every color of the rainbow. Most of these flowers are extremely delicate; those passing through such places must be careful, lest they damage something they do not understand.