A Perfect Dwelling Wayside

Beat the Heat Wayside

• Beat the Heat Imagine calling the Sonoran Desert home - a place with limited water and summer temperatures over 110 degrees F ( 43 degrees C). How would you acclimate? The desert is home to various animals, who have adapted to overcome these challenges. To stay properly hydrated, animals will stay close to a water source, store water in fat reserves, or obtain water from the food they eat. Riparian areas, where there is a year-round water supply, are common areas to see desert wildlife. To maintain a comfortable body temperature, some animals are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night when air temperatures are cooler. Other animals are crepuscular, meaning they are active during dawn and dusk. During the day, animals will either burrow underground or rest in the shade. How have you adapted to the climate where you live? (Image of turkey vulture.) Turkey vulture, Catharteds aura, will urinate on its legs to keep cool. (Image of javelina.) Javelina, Pecari tajacu, rest in the shade during the day. (Image of kangaroo rat.) Kangaroo rats, Dipodomy meriiami, manufacture their water metabolically by eating dry seeds. They do not drink water. (Image of Gila monster.) Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, stores water in fat reserves in its tail. (Image of tarantula.) Tarantula, Aphonpelma chalodes, burrows underground. (Image of jackrabbit.) Jackrabbit, Lepus californicus, can release heat from their big ears. (Image of mule deer.) Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, stay near water and are crepuscular. Seasonal Flights Birds, like other desert animals, have adapted to living in the Sonoran Desert. Some birds are year-round residents and depend on the riparian area and desert plants as a means for survival. Other birds are migratory and are only seen during certain parts of the year. Many migratory birds stop in the Tonto Basin during their flight due to the availability of water. (Image of Gila woodpecker.) Gila woodpecker, Melanerpes urophyialis, pecks a hole in the Saguaro cactus to build a cool, damp nest. (Image of cactus wren.) Camphlohynchus bruunneicalillus, builds its nest in a cactus to protect its young. (Image of hooded oriole.) Hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus, migrates to preferred temperatures. (Image of Gambel's quail). Gambel's quail, Callipepla gambelii, changes food choices based on the season and obtains water from food.

Confluence of Change Wayside

• Confluence of Change (Image of concrete Roosevelt Lake Dam situated between Salt River Canyon.) Roosevelt Lake Length:22.4 miles Maximum Depth:188 feet Shoreline:128 miles Original Dam Construction:1903-1911 Capacity:1,653,043 acre-feet Dam Remodel completed:1996 As people moved west and settled in the Arizona Territory, a need for a reliable water source was evident. Theodore Roosevelt Dam was constructed at the confluence of the Salt River and Tonto Creek creating a reservoir that controls flooding and stores water for Arizona residents to this day. The Apache Trail The Apache Trail was originally constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation to bring materials from Mesa, AZ to the Roosevelt Dam construction site. Beginning in 1916, the Southern Pacific Railroad marketed the Apache Trail as a tourist automobile trip. Visitors were driven from Globe, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ on the Apache Trail. During the overnight trip, visitors explored the Tonto Cliff Dwellings A Monument Created On December 19, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed Proclamation 787, creating Tonto National Monument. Tonto was the ninth national monument designated under the Antiquities Act. "WHEREAS, two prehistoric ruins of ancient cliff dwellings situated upon public lands of the United States...are of great ethnological, scientific, and educational interest and it appears that the public interests would be promoted by reserving these relics of a vanished people as a National Monument..." (Presidential Proclamation 787) Theodore Roosevelt (Image of Theodore Roosevelt.) By the time Theodore Roosevelt left office in 1909, he had created 55 national bird sanctuaries and wildlife refuges, 150 national forests, 18 national monuments, and 5 national parks. In all, he protected approximately 230,000,000 acres of public land. By visiting your public lands, Theodore Roosevelt's vision continues to inspire new generations.

Essential for Life Wayside

Exchange Expedition Wayside

Gathered in the Wild Wayside

• Without medal, rubber, or plastic, what would you make your shoes out of? The people of the Tonto Basin utilized many different native plants grown in the wild for clothing, sandals, mats, and everyday tools. Many of the plants provide food, medicine, and materials for shelter. Every plant had a role in the Salado way of life. (Image of jojoba plant.) Some Native Americans used the jojoba bush to cure both skin rashes with the oil of the nut and stomach ailments by boiling the leaves into tea. (Image of jojoba beans.) (Image of Saguaro cactus spines). The Saguaro cactus has many useful parts. Ribs from dead saguaros were used in the constructions of cliff dwelling roofs, spines were used as needles, and the sweet fruit provided a summer treat.

Life in Tonto Basin Wayside

Lower Cliff Dwelling

Persistent Plants Wayside

• Persistent Plants To survive in the Sonoran Desert, a plant much be drought tolerant. Desert plants have various strategies to gather and compete for scarce water. Some plants, like cacti and succulents, have extensive shallow root systems and are able to store substantial amounts of water to prepare for the dry seasons. Desert plants often have small leaves or waxy skin that reduces the amount of water lost through transpiration. Plants will grow on different hillsides based on the amount of sunlight available. More sunlight means higher temperatures, which increases water lost from the plants through their leaves. Sunlight also affects the temperature and amount of moisture in the soil. (Image of Saguaro cactus) Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea (Image of Ocotillo spiny shrub plant) Fouquieria splendens (Image of Agave succulent) Agave chrysantha (Image of Sotol plant) Dasylirion wheeleri Look at the hillsides in front of you. What differences do see? The hillside on your left receives more sunlight, resulting in warmer soil with little moisture. The hillside on your right receives less sunlight, resulting in cooler soil with a higher moisture content. Story in the Rings (Image of wooden beam built into clay.) Dendrochronology is the science of tree ring dating. Archeologists can determine the age of an ancient site by taking a core sample from its wood beams. The can analyze and compare the core samples to others taken from living and dead trees within the region. This provides scientists with information regarding the age of an archeological site.

Revealing Layers Wayside

Sown in the Field Wayside

• Although the ancient people could survive on wild plants, they thrived by farming crops. Cotton, amaranth, corn, beans, and squash were introduced into the American Southwest from Mexico hundreds of years ago. In the 1300's, the Salado people in this area continued sowing fields in the Tonto Basin and building canals along the Salt River. Corn, beans, and squash, known as the three sisters, became their primary source of food. The three sisters were commonly grown together, because of the benefits each one provided. In addition, cotton provided material to weave, amaranth was used as a dye for cloth, and both provided a food source during droughts. (Image of cotton, amaranth, corn, beans, and squash together.) Cultivated gardens usually contained cotton, amaranth, corn, beans, and squash. Traditionally, they were planted together in sections rather than in separate fields. Corn provides a structure for the beans to grow around. (Image of corn stalk at top of triangle diagram.) Squash provides shade, preventing the loss of soil moisture. It also prevents weeds from growing. (Image of squash plant in lower right position of triangle diagram.) Beans provide nitrates for the soil to ensure future years of soil fertility. (Image of bean plant in lower left corner of diagram.)

Trail to an Ancient Home Wayside

Visiting an Ancient Home Wayside

Where Did They Go Wayside

Visitor Center

• Visitor Center
• The Visitor Center offers an introduction on the people who built the dwellings 700 years ago. Artifacts and replicas of pottery and textiles are on display in the museum while the park store, operated by Western National Parks Association, sells educational items. The 20-minute park movie, located on the upstairs viewing platform, shows on demand throughout the day. Ask park staff for accessible movie options.

• Hike the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail
• The Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail begins in the visitor center and winds up the side of a mountain. It ends in the Lower Cliff Dwelling where visitors can walk through portions of the structure. Along the trail are views of the cliff dwelling, various desert plants, and Roosevelt Lake. This trail is open year-round, but hours vary. Please check for the most up-to-date hours.

Hike to the Lower Cliff Dwelling

This hike is one mile round trip with 350 feet of elevation change. Along the way, you will experience scenic views of the Tonto Basin and Roosevelt Lake. Waysides are placed along the path to give you more information on the people who lived here and the natural world. The hike will culminate at the Lower Cliff Dwelling where you can explore a number of rooms before you return upon the same path.