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1973 Map of Buckhead Mesa

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Buckhead Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Tonto National Forest and the Mazatzal Wilderness dominate this high-desert landscape in central Arizona, captured during a 1973 field check. The geography is defined by a series of dramatic drainages, most notably Pine Creek and the Verde River, which carve through the Buckhead Mesa and Brushy Mesa. Notable landmarks like Tonto Natural Bridge highlight the unique geological formations of the area, while a network of isolated tanks such as Buckhead Tank and Bradshaw Tank reveal the critical role of water management in this arid cattle and timber country.

Industrial activity is centered on scattered mining claims, including the Crackerjack Mine, Gowan Mine, and Summit Miner. These sites, along with family-named features like Connally Point and Juniper Tank, offer a window into the era's backcountry resource extraction. The presence of numerous jeep trails weaving through Maverick Flat and along Crackerjack Ridge illustrates the limited but vital transit routes through the complex canyons and plateaus.