Arizona

Mt Lemmon is the closest place Tucsonans can go to experience the change in seasons.  Mt. Lemmon, about 25 miles north of  Tucson,  is one the most popular getaways for Tucsonans and visitors alike.  This fantastic mountain is about 9,000 feet above sea level and is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains.   The Santa Catalina Mountains is home to the southernmost ski area in the United States.  Mt. Lemmon is located about 25 miles northeastern  of Tucson, Arizona  and is  located in Pima County. 

While traveling to Mt. Lemmon, you will be driving on a steep, scenic, winding mountain road call the Catalina Highway.  There are many unusual rock formations and scenic view points to stop at along this highway.   There are pulloffs along the road so you can stop and take pictures or view the scenary with your binoculars.  The area is almost all  pine forest with Ponderosa Pine, Aspen Trees, Jojoba trees, Yucca  among the vegetation.  In fact, the Coronado National Forest is especially rich in its diversity of fauna and flora.

From Tucson it will take about one hour to reach this magnificient mountain get away.  Tucsonans use this convenient mountain retreat to escape the 100 plus degrees of the desert during the summer months.  Visitors to this forest area can hike, backpack, camp and picnic during the summer months.  The mountains are year-round playgrounds for outdoor recreation, from hiking and mountain biking, skiing and some of the best bird-watching. 

Mt. Lemmon is in a national forest  so there is a minimal fee of about $5 per car for entry.  Near the top of the mountian is Summerhaven, a small community area which has quaint shops, coffee shops, freshly baked pies and cabins to rent.  Don’t forget to take a ride on the ski lift.  The lift is located just north of Summerhaven and is usually open year round.  

I would suggest you wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, take along a picnic or stop for coffee and pie at Summerhaven.  Be sure to bring along your camera and a pair of binoculars.  Since temperatures are so different from start and end of your mountain venture, you might need to bring along a sweater or jacket.    Be sure to fuel up before you go as there are no gas stations on the mountain.