The Southwest United States and the region of Sonora Mexico was not always desert. From the beginning of recorded time this region gradually evolved from lush near tropical vegetation to the drought tolerant Saguaro and Barrel Cactus. This includes Sagebrush, Palo Verde  and Tumbleweed along with many other desert flora that are so abundant today in the Sonoran Desert.

   Above the highpoint of the desert the Saguaro give way to scrub trees, much like those found on the western prairie of Nebraska and Kansas.  Above this scrub line is the beginning of the stately pine forests including the beautiful, and one of the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine remaining in the United States near flagstaff Arizona.

 During the 18th century the Ancient Peoples,, mostly farmers,  were required to adapt during the Great Drought of the Southwest. The result is many tribes became wanders and gathers in most regions of what is now Arizona.

The Navaho live in the for corners region consisting of the convergence of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. They are the major people of this region of Arizona from about 20 miles east of Flagstaff to well into New Mexico. The span Hualapai, Havasupai, and Yavapai tribes inhabit the remainder of northern Arizona all the way to the Colorado River where it turns south, west of what is now is Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.