AZ SR-260 Overgaard - Willow Wash

In August, we began mapping an 8 mile portion of SR-260 heading East from Bison Ranch in the quaint hamlet of Overgaard, AZ. Traditionally a heavily forested stretch through rolling hills and washes, this area was heavily damaged by the Rodeo Chediski Fire in 2002. This gave the job a very interesting and diverse natural landscape as well as aiding us in our use of GPS, which is normally hampered by heavy tree cover.



During the Control Survey, we occupied an NGS Control Station at the base of Deer Springs Fire Lookout.


In late August, the monsoon is fading and all of the plants, animals and insects are out to catch that last bit of summer sun.








With the fire wiping out a good portion of the tree coverage, the re-emerging life has more desert type plants returning. Against a backdrop of Denrda-skeletons, the new growth is greatly contrasted.








The fire certainly had its effect on the survey monuments and accessories as well. When in a forest, the section monuments are witnessed by bearing trees. We found these trees in all sorts of conditions; Burnt but standing, burnt and laying down, signage melted to the tree. The heat also caused some of the monuments themselves to droop over.








Yet, in many places we found everything in tact and un-disturbed like this survey stone set in 1883.


I've driven though this area many times on the way to Pinetop and never would have considered that it would be so interesting to hike around in the burn area. After 10 years of recovery, the mix of old forest and new growth was really a pleasure to see up close.








Google Earth Lat/Long: 34°22'46.20"N,110°28'19.00"W