Subalpine. Rocks. Summer.
Lizard Head Trail, June 19, 2004.

Cystopteris fragilis is found in many parts of the United States and is the most common fern at high elevations in the San Juans and nearby mountains of the Four Corners area.  It tucks itself into rock crevices, often fading with summer dryness and reappearing with fall coolness and moisture. To the very left are fronds of Cryptogramma acrostichoides. 

"Cystis" is Greek for "bladder" and refers to a flap of material that covers the fern spores; "pteris" is Greek for "Fern".