| Mt. Lemmon tips and photos posted by real travelers and Tucson locals.
Mt. Lemmon - northeast of Tucson
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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. Leave a Comment 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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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. Leave a Comment Directions: Catalina Highway
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 by bottleofdoomLeave a Comment 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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 Road up Mt. Lemmon by kala6487
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. Leave a Comment Directions: Catalina Highway
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 by RhondajLeave a Comment Directions: Catalina Highway
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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! Leave a Comment
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Not bad skiing for the middle of a desert. Although it catches fire more often than Michael Jackson goes to court! Leave a Comment Directions: Catalina Highway
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 Summerhaven near the peak by leplaya
One strange sight on this trip was dozens of people shoveling snow on top of their cars near the top. Leave a Comment Directions: Catalina Highway
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 Me and one of the pretty
views. by jgalbLeave a Comment Directions: Catalina Highway
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 by SompasongLeave a Comment Directions: Catalina Highway
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