Up Mt. Lemmon
Tour : At The Base of the
Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona
By publisher Bob Zucker
 Beginning
at the foot of the Catalina Mountains, 2,400 feet above sea level, we
are surrounded by magestic sagauro cacti and the elements of the desert.
The city of Tucson is nearly out of view behind us.
Our journey takes us 7,000 feet higher where not a cactus dare grow- Mt. Lemmon.
The temperatures are often 30 degrees coolers than the spot we are standing at now.
Mount Lemmon is the pinnacle of the drive
up the mountain. Even after the vast destruvtion by the 2003 Aspen Fire,
the mountain is coming back to life.
Photo by Yuki Saruwatari
The Catalina Mountains are making an
amazing comeback as new grasses, trees and shrubs start to sprout. A
strong winter storm season helps to ensure a lot of spring growth and
flowers.
Road projects are still ongoing. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the road is open- there is only one road up the mountain.
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The huge saguaro cactus often takes more
than one hundred years to reach heights such as this. The Sonoran Desert
which extends south into Mexico is spotted with gardens of saguaro
cactus- the only place on earth grown in these clusters.
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Mt. Lemmon Highway Reconstruction Hotline: 749-3329
Pima County Sheriff's Office Road Information Line: 741-4991
U.S. Forest Service: 749-8700
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Tucson Hiking Guide
(2nd Edition)
By Betty Leavengood
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