We decided that this is surface mining, after we saw this next roadside sign. The coloring was much more awesome than these pictures show.
The pictures were taken in Globe AZ at least 60 miles east of Mesa, where we live.
Before arriving in Globe, we got some other good photos of very rocky terrain. In one place the road tunnels through the mountain.
Pulling off the road to look back, after traveling through the tunnel, it appears that the road originally ran around the mountain??
Looking across the highway from our pull off, Gary noticed the climber. That explained the empty cars in this pull off area.
I can imagine the challenge in climbing and repelling, but it never ceases to amaze me to watch them!!
This next photo is one that we hope to go back and take again as it was such an amazing natural mountain wall. We now know better than to take a valued picture through the window while the car is moving!!
There are so many different types of rocks in these mountains!!
And then there are the scrub brush covered mountains!!
Followed by the tree covered, although they are not like the towering trees in the northeast, midwest and the northwest!!
We wound along the highway to get north to the Theodore Roosevelt Lake developed by the Roosevelt Dam.
We crossed this bridge near the dam, but we did not take the turn off to take pictures of the dam itself. Maybe next time!! The lake went on for miles. We noticed that the water level is quite low, probably too early for the rains that should raise that level. But a beauty, just the same, and the boats are out there with fishermen anyway.
Not too far from the Roosevelt lake and dam, we stopped to see the Tonto National Monument in the National Forest. This monument is remains of a Cliff dwelling/village in a cave in the mountain about 350 feet higher in elevation. There are many such caves in the southwest, but this has been well preserved and made accessible for tourists. It was a one mile hike round trip and good exercise for us!!
Here you an see Gary beginning the trek before he comes upon the Saguaro cactus that points the way??
While walking the trail, the view out over the valley and the lake with more mountains in the distance is awesome!!
And finally we begin to see the attraction ahead - - -
We will make it!! In fact, Gary is about there.
And then he waits for me to catch up!!
Enjoy the following pictures of the inside of this dwelling. It is said to have been inhabited by people who had settled in Tonto Basin. Around 1250 AD they are said to have begun using the caves. This Lower Cliff Dwelling was one of those villages. The first Europeans who explored this dwelling found it well preserved because it was naturally protected from the elements. During 1800's and early 1900's vandals and relic hunters did considerable damage on these ancient structures. It was declared a national monument in 1907 and placed under the protection of the U.S. Forest Service. In 1933 when it was transferred to the National Park Service the protection and archaeological research continued. This dwelling is now a well-preserved remains of a 700 year old village. It is a site of many two-story structures made from sticks, stones and mortar.
They warn not to touch or sit upon any of the structures to protect it for continued visuals of history.
Now we begin the trek back down the incline!! It left us winded from the climb up, but the downhill walk was worse. Tough on the knees!! But good exercise and very enjoyable!!
Hope that you enjoyed the pictures. Take care and God Bless.
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