Sierra Ancha

The Sierra Ancha is penetrated by few improved roads, and the range is cut by numerous deep, spectacular Canyon s, particularly on its eastern flank. Little agricultural, commercial, or residential development has taken place, though in the past Asbestos mining was carried out at a mine between Asbestos and Zimmerman Points. Cattle ranching is still practiced in the area. Nearby communities include Roosevelt , Tonto Basin , Punkin Center , and Young , Arizona.

Two U.S. Wilderness Area s lie within the Sierra Ancha — the Salome Wilderness , encompassing Salome Creek and its canyon on the southern edge of the range, and the Sierra Ancha Wilderness , protecting the high peaks and deep canyons of the eastern flank of the range. The range also includes the U.S. Forest Service's Sierra Ancha Experimental Forest, a tract on which research on the characteristics of Southwestern U.S. Watershed s has been conducted.

The Sierra Ancha includes abundant Archaeological remains, especially in the form of Cliff Dwellings in the rugged canyons opening eastward toward Cherry Creek. The identity of the Native American builders of these structures remains uncertain, but the sites show characteristics of both the Salado and Mogollon cultures. Tree-ring Dating of roof beams from the sites suggests that construction began in the late 1280s AD, and that the structures were abandoned by 1350 AD.

The classic Sonoran Desert floristic community of Saguaro , Palo Verde , and Creosote Bush can be found in the southern foothills above Roosevelt Lake (650-1000 m / 2133-3281 ft), while in the range's middle elevations (1200-1800 m / 3937-5906 ft) Oak scrub and Juniper predominate. Above 6000 feet (1829 m), the Sierra Ancha has extensive stands of Ponderosa Pine , with Douglas-fir on the highest, coolest slopes.

The Sierra Ancha lies completely within Arizona's Tonto National Forest .

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Sierra Ancha