Since this was our second visit to Tucson we were searching for new places to explore in the area. Our last visit took us to the Pima Air and Space Museum, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park. So when we read about the scenic drive up Mount Lemmon Tucson AZ we knew we had to go!
Through Ladybug’s Windshield
This is why we love RVing in our Class A Motorcoach. The view is spectacular!!!
This picturesque mountain is located just north of Tucson and pretty close to our RV park.
No this isn’t Christmas in April. It was December 23 when we got to Arizona and found – Frosty in Tucson
Christmas in Arizona looks pretty much like Christmas everywhere
Mount Lemmon Tucson AZ
This gorgeous home blends right in as it nestles amongst the saguaros
Welcome to the Coronado National Forest
Mount Lemmon, has a summit elevation of 9,159 feet (2,792 miles), and is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is located in the Coronado National Forest and presents great opportunities for summer hiking and winter skiing.
From what we could see, Mount Lemmon offers an escape from the city for metropolitan Tucson residents. These mountains, on average, have temperatures that are 30 degrees cooler. Plus they are just a short drive away, making this special place a haven in the summer and an outdoor playground in the winter.
Plenty of snow in December at Ski Valley, Mt. Lemmon AZ!
Sky Islands have dramatically different environments as the elevation changes rapidly. The Sky Island Scenic Byway is the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada in a stretch of only 26 miles!
Mountain spires reminded me of making sand castles at the beach. I loved dripping lots of wet sand on my castles.
Sculpted and etched by time and weather, this rock appears to be standing guard.
I will caution you to watch for cyclists as you navigate the sharp turns. The climb up Mount Lemmon is a destination for pro cycling teams and ambitious local riders alike. There are those who have said it’s one of the best bike rides in North America!
Skiing in the Desert
Don’t you wonder how these rock stay in place. How do they not give in to gravity and just tumble down the mountainside?
I found it interesting that Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is the Southernmost ski resort in the continental United States. When it snows there, which is more often than you might think, 22 trails range from green circle to black diamond.
The ski lift continues to run even when the snow has melted. In summer, the Sky Ride experience offers 30 minutes of views from the top.
Into the Woods
Inky Black Mountains
Whether you are enjoying Mount Lemon by foot or on a mountain bike, the hiking and biking trails range from novice to expert. At the mountain’s base, desert trails let you explore a Sonoran Desert landscape that’s surrounded by 100s of impressive saguaros. As you climb, the scenery gets greener, and you can immerse yourself among the pine trees. Speaking of climbing, there are more than 2,000 rock climbing routes including traditional and bolted sport climbs.
The sunlight streaming though the trees warmed the chilly mountain air
And if you want to stay and play a while, there are six campgrounds for Mount Lemmon camping, scattered from its sunny base to cooler peak. Rose Canyon is one of the most popular campsites. It surrounds the intimate Rose Canyon Lake, a which is a six-acre lake with trout fishing. If you’re not into camping, you can check out cabin rentals in the area for a cushier overnight.
Yup! That’s the dangerous road we were on. Thankfully we were able to get back on the main route unscathed!!!
We must have missed a turn or our GPS steered us wrong. But suddenly we found ourselves on a very narrow and treacherous mountain road lined with lovely homes. It was so scary that as soon as we could we got off that road and back to our original path to Summerhaven where the Mt. Lemmon General Store and Gift Shop is located.
Hungry?
The colors and textures of Arizona
There are a few restaurants in Summerhaven and Ski Valley for dining. Iron Door Restaurant and Sawmill Run offer meals ranging from kid-friendly to seasonal specialties.
We made it! We weren’t sure we’d ever actually find the Mt. Lemmon General Store and Gift Shop.
But if you have a sweet tooth you should check out the massive cookies at the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin and creative fudge flavors at the General Store. Those luscious offerings will surely satisfy any sweet tooth!
Leaving Mt. Lemmon
Don’t you love the way the sun plays with light and shadow on the mountains?
As we drove down Mt. Lemmon we noticed how the sun played off the plants and mountains.
After picking up a souvenir magnet, a really cool ornament and some incredibly rich fudge, we began our descent back down Mount Lemmon. We were just in time to catch the sun going down which created amazing contrasts of light and shadow on the mountainside.
Sunset and Saguaros
How perfect to end our day with this fiery sunset!!!
And as we drove back to Ladybug, the setting sun turned the clouds vivid shades of yellow, pink, coral, red and violet. It was breathtaking!!!
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