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1972 Map of Buzzard Roost Mesa

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Buzzard Roost Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Tonto National Forest land defines this portion of Gila County, where the topography is shaped by a complex network of canyons and high mesas. The high ground of Buzzard Roost Mesa and Mailbox Mesa overlooks deep cuts like Breadpan Canyon and Sevenmile Canyon, reflecting a landscape dedicated to cattle ranching and resource extraction in the early 1970s. The presence of the Spring Creek Mine and the small Landing Strip near the center of the sheet highlights the intersection of industrial interest and the necessity for aerial access in this isolated terrain.

Water management is central to the area's utility, evidenced by a high density of named tanks and springs. From Clover Spring Tank in the west to Shipping Pasture Tank in the east, these features supported operations at remote outposts like Flying W Ranch, Spring Creek Ranch, and the Houdon Cabin. This survey captures the infrastructure of the Arizona backcountry, mapping the jeep trails and footpaths that connected these high-desert settlements and water sources.