Herbage glabrous or nearly so. Leaves: blades of proximal often abruptly contracted or at least obtuse at bases; mid and distal leaves clasping. Heads usually 6-12(-20). Phyllaries mostly 13, 6-8+ mm.

Flowering mid summer. Meadows, rocky, open sites in conifer-dominated areas; 1800-3000 m; Ariz., N.Mex.

Plants of var. bigelovii from the north of the range tend to be intermediate with var. hallii.