The elevation of a geographic location is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference guide, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equal potential gravitational surface (see Geodetic system, vertical datum).
At lower elevations, 6000-7000 feet, winter temperatures rarely fall below 0 and usually run from the teens to 50's. Summer temperatures range from 50º to 85º. At the lowest elevations, 4,000 to 6,000 feet, temperatures are generally 10 degrees higher throughout the year.
