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Mt. Lemmon, Tucson
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Mt. Lemmon, Tucson

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Mt. Lemmon - northeast of Tucson
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Mt. Lemmon: the incomparable sky islands
  • Tip Rating:
  • bocmaxima
  • By bocmaxima on November 9, 2005
  • Tucson Page by bocmaxima
  • Near Rose Canyon Lake - Tucson
    Near Rose Canyon Lake
    by bocmaxima, 3 more photos
    Mount Lemmon, in the Santa Catalina Range is just one of several "sky islands" in Southern Arizona, called such because of their striking differences in temperature and vegetation from the surrounding desert.
    The front way into Mount Lemmon is 30-mile-or-so-long, curvy, paved road often looming over large drop-offs. There are some gorgeous views of Tucson along the way up, with the best being at Windy Point, where the road makes a 180. This road, and particularly this spot, was recently re-built, and is now much safer and much more tourist friendly. If you go after a big rain, or when the snow is melting, you'll be treated to dramatic waterfalls and a beautiful, flowing creek.
    Most people go up during the summer because, when it's 100 degrees in the valley, it's often 75 on the mountain. I like the winter the best though, after a big snow. It's relatively isolated (too cold for Tucsonans), and it's even more gorgeous. Many of the forest roads are closed off during the winter, as they are not plowed, but this just provides a nice hike, as many of the trails are then inaccessible due to the ice.
    Whatever season, Summerhaven is a must-see. The cafe there is famous for its pies, and although they're something like $6/slice, they're very deserving of the fame. Much of the village was destroyed during a large fire in 2003, but much has been re-built at this point.
    The ski resort is normally open, but skiing is only open about two times per year. Otherwise, this is about the only restaurant on the mountain.

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  • Directions: For the back way, take Highway 77 until the turn-off for the Oracle Business District about two miles east of Biosphere 2. You will see a sign pointing to the road, which heads towards the mountains.
  • Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/
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    Mt. Lemmon: the incomparable sky islands (cont'd)
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  • bocmaxima
  • By bocmaxima on November 9, 2005
  • Tucson Page by bocmaxima
  • In the higher areas, there are four campgrounds: General Hitchcock, Showers Point, Spencer Canyon and Rose Canyon, all of which are right on the main road. These all close in October though, when it begins to get too cold. Lower campgrounds (Peppersauce and Molino Basin) are open year-round. All require a $10/site fee.
    If you don't mind roughing it though, there are several areas where you can just park your car and pitch your tent. Just off of the main road, Mount Bigelow Road leads a little further into the wilderness. Camping is free here, but the road is closed off sometime in the late fall. There are also often fire restrictions in place that prohibit campfires outside of campgrounds.
    Allot for about two hours driving from the east side of Tucson to reach the top of Mount Lemmon. The speed limit is 35mph for the entire length, and is often patrolled by the county, although people typically speed, and get up to 65 on the way down sometimes. Obey the signs and use the pull-offs if you don't want to go that fast and/or are not in a hurry. Also keep in mind that there is no gas on Mount Lemmon, so you'll need to fill up beforehand in town.
    There is a back way up the mountain on Oracle Control Road (called such because there was a once a signal that controlled traffic because it was too narrow for two-way travel). This is 30 miles of gravel and dirt, oftentimes very bumpy, and is definitely not for the faint of heart, although it is possible in a passenger car. Not advisable during the winter after the snows, or during monsoon season when you run the risk of getting stuck by flash floods.

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  • Directions: Catalina Highway
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    Mt. Lemmon: Mt. Lemmon
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  • bottleofdoom
  • Updated By bottleofdoom on September 21, 2003
  • Tucson Page by bottleofdoom
  • Mt. Lemmon - Tucson
    by bottleofdoom
    I stand corrected, Summerhaven is gone due to wildfires which means some shops & restaurants are not there anymore, but apparently it's still worth the drive. Mt. Lemmon is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina mountains (approx. 9000 ft). Lots of hiking trails, camping and a lake. It's a great place to beat the heat in the dog days of summer and it's only a 30 minute drive up to the top. Lots of scenic view stops on the way and within a half hour you transist from cactus and shrubs to pine trees and grass.

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  • Directions: Take Tanque Verde Rd. east until you get to Catalina Hwy. Make left onto Catalina Hwy. and just follow it to the top.
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    Mt. Lemmon: Mt. Lemmon
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  • kala6487
  • By kala6487 on February 28, 2004
  • Tucson Page by kala6487
  • Road up Mt. Lemmon - Tucson
    Road up Mt. Lemmon
    by kala6487
    If you like to drive and take in interesting scenery, this is the perfect experience. Mt. Lemmon is about 9,000 feet and northeast of Tucson. The road is about 30 miles and it gently winds up the hills. At the bottom there is nothing but cactus dotting the slopes. But by the time you get to the top, there are large pines and interesting rock formations.

    If you happen to go up there in January, there is a ski area. When I drove to the top, it was about 40 degrees cooler and there was snow.

    People also live on the mountain and there is a village at the top.

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  • Directions: Catalina Highway
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    Mt. Lemmon: Summerhaven
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  • Rhondaj
  • Updated By Rhondaj on April 12, 2004
  • Tucson Page by Rhondaj
  • Mt. Lemmon - Tucson
    by Rhondaj
    Mt. Lemmon rises a little over 9,000 ft. above Tuscon. Give yourself time to adjust your breathing. Your car may cough a little too. There are lots of hiking trails. I loved leaving a 90 degree day in the city and coming up here to a 60 degree day. We would stay in a little A frame cabin in the village of Summerhaven.

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  • Directions: Catalina Highway
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    Mt. Lemmon: Mt. Lemmon, Skiing in the Desert?!?!
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  • By JenNJohn on July 8, 2003
  • Tucson Page by JenNJohn
  • Mt. Lemmon rises on the north side of Tucson. For locals its an escape from the summer-time heat, or a quick ski trip during the winter.

    The drive up Mt. Lemmon is amazing. It will take you through several different levels of vegetation starting on the desert floor and moving up into a forest of aspen trees at the top. Along the way there is a huge variety of Saguaro cacti, many which tower over you 30 feet tall or more. Mt. Lemmon also has quite a few hikers and repelers. As Mt. Lemmon is in a national forest there is a minimal fee of about $5 per car for entry, this allows you to access their facilities alongside. At regular intervals there are turn off's for restrooms, picinic areas, and overlooks of the Tucson Valley.

    There are FABULOUS mountain views here. Take your camera because you WILL want it. Best times for pictures are sunrise and sunset as these cast the best shadows to give your pictures depth.

    As you drive up the mountain you'll notice that the temp drops. The temperatures here can be as much as 20 degrees lower than Tucson's in the valley below. This contributes to alot of campsites for people wanting to escape the desert heat. At the top of the mountain is a ski resort. YES! Skiing in the desert! Ok at this altitude it isn't a desert, but still its only about 45 minutes from downtown Tucson!

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    Mt. Lemmon: Ski Arizona
    Badger23
  • By Badger23 on July 21, 2005
  • Tucson Page by Badger23
  • Not bad skiing for the middle of a desert. Although it catches fire more often than Michael Jackson goes to court!

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  • Directions: Catalina Highway
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    Mt. Lemmon: Drive to the top
    leplaya
  • Updated By leplaya on May 25, 2008
  • Tucson Page by leplaya
  • Summerhaven near the peak - Tucson
    Summerhaven near the peak
    by leplaya
    Going through this drive is like going from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada in one hour. You start going through the residential areas of Tucson, then go through the desert passing large saguaros. Slowly, as the elevation increases you'll notice some trees. By the end of the drive you'll be surrounded by dark green trees more reminicent of the Rockies and if it's winter you'll see snow. The road up Mt. Lemmon is long (about 25 miles) but well worth the drive. Along the way there are dozens of stops, each giving you a unique view at various elevations. The mountain itself is over 9000 ft. Near the top is the town of Summerhaven, which doesn't really have too much, but is a nice break. If you want to hike to the top of the mountain (or ski - yes you could ski near Tuscon), turn right off the road near Summerhaven. Unless you're visiting Summerhaven, you'll need to pay a $5 entrance fee.

    One strange sight on this trip was dozens of people shoveling snow on top of their cars near the top.

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  • Directions: Catalina Highway
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    Mt. Lemmon: A 'Haven' from the Heat
    jgalb
  • By jgalb on July 29, 2005
  • Tucson Page by jgalb
  • Me and one of the pretty views. - Tucson
    Me and one of the pretty
    views.
    by jgalb
    Mt. Lemmon is a cherished place for Tucson residents. It allows the 500,000 something people to escape the summer heat (115 degrees this summer and over 30 days over 100.) and retreat to a cool 70's with a great view.

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  • Directions: Catalina Highway
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    Mt. Lemmon: Snowboarding in Arizona???
  • By Sompasong on January 15, 2005
  • Tucson Page by Sompasong
  • Mt. Lemmon - Tucson
    by Sompasong
    Ski Valley is a decent ski/snowboard resort. It's a no frills type of resort, which is great for beginners. If you're in the Tucson area around the winter season then Ski Valley is a must see because the drive up Mt. Lemmon is not what you're accustom to seeing everyday in Tucson. Before you make the trip to Ski Valley, I highly advise you to call the information desk on snow condition because the resort goes through periodic closure due to the lack of snowfall.

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  • Directions: Catalina Highway
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