Tonto III - looking down by danapommet

Photography • Historical • posted on Nov 13, 2009

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Description

This photo was taken from the front of the cave in yesterdays posting. You are looking down into the Tonto Basin. These ruins were discovered around 1903 when the construction of the Roosevelt Dam begun. By the way, at that time, this dam was the largest masonry brick dam in the world. It was 280 feet (84m) high and 723 feet (216m) wide. It was refaced with concrete in 1989. The dam was built where Tonto Creek and the Salt River came together. You are looking down on Roosevelt Lake. When the Salado (part of the Pueblo Nation) people arrived here, before the dam, this was their farm land and main source of water. The drive up to the visitor center was just about a mile and a rise in elevation of 2,000 feet. The hike up to the ruins was another half mile and an additional rise in elevation of 500 feet. Imagine the time it took to go down, tend the fields and return with food & water for the entire family. Remember that the water was not carried up in plastic bottles but heavy clay pottery containers. Then factor in the heat of the Arizona desert. I tip my hat to these early Americans and may their history never be lost. The large cacti on the left are Saguaro and the small light colored cacti are Teddy Bear Cholla Cacti. The fruit from the Saguaro was part of the Salado diet. The largest Saguaro on record is 45.3 feet (13.8m). The side arms start to grow around age 75 years. Photo taken 1996 and recently scanned. Thanks for stopping by, taking a peak and for all your previous comments. Dana

Comments (21)

bimm3d

12:32AM | Fri, 13 November 2009

wonderful place and photo!!!

MrsLubner

12:40AM | Fri, 13 November 2009

I planted a grandfather cactus in my front yard but I know I will never see it grow arms. Probably never see it grow as tall as my knees. But I love them and they are amazing plants. Stunning view and with a veiw like that, I can see why the people chose this place.