Sierra Ancha
The Sierra Ancha (“broad range” in Spanish) is a mountain range in central Arizona lying between Roosevelt Lake to the south, the Tonto Basin to the west, Cherry Creek to the east, and Pleasant Valley to the north. The range is one of several, including the Bradshaw Mountains and the Mazatzal Mountains, which form a transitional zone between the lowland deserts of southern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau of northeastern Arizona. The highest point in the range is Aztec Peak, at an elevation of 2345 m (7694 ft), and which is the site of a U.S. Forest Service fire lookout once staffed by noted Arizona essayist and novelist Edward Abbey.
The Sierra Ancha is penetrated by few improved roads, and the range is cut by numerous deep, spectacular canyons, particulary 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.
The range includes abundant archaeological remains, especially in the form of cliff dwellings in the walls of canyons. These are associated with the Native American Sinagua culture, which flourished in the area until approximately 1400 AD. Nearby communities include Roosevelt, Tonto Basin, Punkin Center, and Young, Arizona.
Two U.S. Wilderness Areas 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 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) pinyon pine 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.