Arizona Moutains

Arizona Mountains
Day 4
6/28/1999

Place at a Glance

Went to Tonto National Monument (more info)

Swam in Theodore Roosevelt Lake

Kicked around in Payson, AZ. Went to library and the ever popular Wal-Mart.

Received some killer camping information from the Payson ranger station.

Found a great free campsite in the Tonto National Forest

Ate dinner while watching a group of 10 elk graze in a meadow about 30 yards from where I was camped (more info)

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Tonto National Monument

Checking out the ruins

Camped in Tonto National Forest

Tonto National Monument

The Salado Indians, people of the salt river, created cliff dwellings in shallow caves overlooking the Tonto basin. They lived in these dwellings for about 300 years before abandoning the area and moving on around 1400 AD. For centuries the abandoned adobe structures were ravaged by the elements and careless people. In the early 20th century the area became a national monument and became protected by the federal government. Archeological activities in the area are ongoing and more is being learned about the people who lived in the area 600 years ago.

The Elk

So, I am kicking back in the forest, eating my dinner of rice and soy meat, and slowly a group of Elk wander into the meadow beside me. The group consisted of 7 adults and 3 children. For about a half an hour they slowly walked through the meadow, the adults grazing while the children jumped around and chased each other. The group was aware that I was only 30 yards away but did not seem to care. It was pretty cool.

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