ASU SoLS: Sierra Ancha Station

The Sierra Ancha Station is leased from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and operated for educational and research purposes by the Department of Biology at Arizona State University (ASU). The Station is about 180 km (110 airline miles) northeast of the ASU main campus in a rugged, montane setting. Originally constructed in the early 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps this rustic station was dedicated to USFS watershed research.

The Sierra Ancha Station seeks to promote an awareness and understanding of biological and cultural diversity through discovery and learning by integrating instruction, research and creative activities at an inter-disciplinary field station.

The station facilities include 4 cabins (3-14 people each), a classroom laboratory complex with upstairs dormitory (12-16 people), a mess hall, garage and workshop. Cabins are comfortably spaced within a compound, connected by well-maintained trails. Tables and other surfaces are available for use of microscopes and other devices in the office laboratory, which accommodates 15-20 people. The mess hall seats about 20 and may be used as additional facilities for a "dry" laboratory. All housing has modern plumbing including showers with hot-cold, potable water and flush toilets; each is supplied with propane for light, cooking, heating and food refrigeration. Summer cooling is not required due to dense shading by forest trees and relatively high elevation. Housing is screened against insect pests and secured by single-keyed locks. On-site amenities include cots and mattresses, tables and chairs, mops, brooms and cleaning supplies. Users must supply their own food, cooking and eating utensils, towels, linens or sleeping bags, toilet tissue, soap, etc. All refuse must be carried out and buildings thoroughly cleaned as a condition of Station use.

The Station lies deep within the Sierra Ancha Experimental Forest adjacent to the Salt River and Sierra Ancha wilderness areas, and only 35 km (about 20 miles) from AZ Game and Fish Department's 3-Bar Wildlife Management Area. All are within the Tonto National Forest. The environmentally spectacular and ecologically rich landscape rises from 1080 to 2355 m (3540 to 7230 feet) above sea level. Physical environment includes complex geological formations (exposed igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks) incised by deep canyons, and with high-standing cliffs, mountain slopes, steep bajadas, and alluvial valley fills. Plant communities are separated by sudden transitions with increasing elevation from Upper Sonoran Desert through desert grasslands, chaparral and juniper-oak woodland, culminating in dense, coniferous forest. Luxuriant riparian forest grows along permanent and intermittent watercourses; aquatic habitats include natural streams, springs and man-made reservoirs. Local and regional environments thus include most life zones of North America. Native American archaeological sites are common, and the Station is only a short distance across the Salt River and Roosevelt Lake from Tonto National Monument.