September 2017 16 Mt. Lemmon Mount Lemmon, Arizona is approximately 29 miles north of Tucson in the center of the Santa Catalina Mountains at an elevation of 8000’. The whole Santa Catalina mountain range is mistakenly called Mount Lemmon. The peak of Mt. Lemmon (9,157’) is actually more of a knoll, located adjacent to the University of Arizona Stewart Observatories. The average temperature on Mount Lemmon is approximately 30 degrees cooler than that of Tucson which makes Mount Lemmon quite popular during the summer months. Additionally the top of the mountain is 9,157’ and is the location of the southernmost ski area in the United States. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley normally provides skiing and snowboarding from late December into March or April. The El Nino of 1997-98 brought 30 plus feet of snow to the mountain, one of the best years for skiing and snowboarding in recent memory. Ski Valley is also the home of the Iron Door Restaurant. In addition, there are a number of recreational amenities offered on the mountain, including hiking, camping, fishing, birding, sledding, snowshoeing and rock climbing, making the area an attractive recreation and getaway location less than one hour from Tucson. There are approximately 450 acres of privately owned land on Mount Lemmon, completely surrounded by the Coronado National Forest.  The majority of the 450 acres of privately owned land is utilized for second homes and private residences. There are also approximately 130 cabins on land leased from the US Forest Service under 20-year permits. The Mount Lemmon Highway, carries traffic from metropolitan Tucson and has under gone a Federal Highway Improvement. This project was started in 1986 and completed in 2003. It is joked that it was a planned 10 year project that lasted 17 years. The project was implemented and was been accomplished in 3 to 5 mile segments, every other year. Traffic has increased because of the work done. The Santa Catalina’s are heavily visited with an average use exceeding a million visitors per year. Mt. Lemmon and Sabino Canyon are Tucson’s second most popular tourist attraction. A summer retreat, Mount Lemmon is approximately 30 degrees cooler than nearby Tucson, which is only about one hour away. Located in the Santa Catalina Range, Mount Lemmon is surrounded by the Coronado National Forest and home to a town befitting of the name, Summerhaven. Explore various trails, eat homemade fudge, and even rent a cabin for a weekend away in the pines. On your way to the Mount Lemmon’s peak, you’ll drive along the 27-mile Sky Island Scenic Byway, which is more than just a way to get to the top. History & Nature In 1881, a dark-haired, white woman by the name of Sara Allen Plummer dared to climb the mountain during a time when tensions were high in the West between gunslingers, the US Calvary and local American Indian tribes. Her husband, John Gill Lemmon, was a self-educated botanist, and the two came to Tucson with the ambitious task of cataloguing the plants of Southern Arizona. When they made it to Mt. Lemmon’s summit, they christened it after Mrs. Lemmon to commemorate her being the first white woman to have climbed it. Things To Do During the summer, hike the trails, camp under the dark skies (there’s an observatory on the mountain because of the particularly dark skies), fish, bird, or even rock climb. Definitely get there early, as this is a popular retreat from the heat. When snow is on the ground, head up to the 8,000-foot elevation for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and snowshoeing. The University of Arizona Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory houses the US’s largest dedicated public telescopes and hosts year- round nightly stargazing programs. After a day of exploring various life zones, dive into the cosmos and experience the vastness of the universe with a clarity most people never get to see. Hotels, Lodging & Camping Mount Lemmon has three campgrounds: Rose Canyon Lake Campground and Picnic Area, Showers Point Group Site, and Whitetail Campground. All the campgrounds have picnic shelters and spacious campsites, with most able to accommodate more than 50 people. There are no hook-ups available for RVs, but water faucets and toilets are available. If you prefer the feel of a cozy cabin, there are some private residences in and around Summerhaven that can be rented. Mt Lemmon - Meadow/ Aspen Draw Bike Trail Ride Aspen Meadow Trailhead: If you’d like to tack on a bit more of a ride with some climbing, and a great detour to the Mt. Lemmon Fire Station, you can ride Aspen Meadow trail before Aspen Draw. From the dirt pullout, continue to ride up the paved road a few hundred yards, and you’ll see a parking lot on your left, with restrooms, etc. On the southeast corner of the fenced electrical area, you’ll find Aspen Meadow Trail. It will meander through a gorgeous meadow (hence the name), down some technical singletrack, and end at a “T” intersection/old jeep road overlooking Tucson far below you. Take a left on the road and enjoy the vista. Eventually, you will come to a Y with the left fork heading uphill back where you began. Down the right fork of the “Y” is the Mt. Lemmon fire station lookout. It is one of the oldest still standing, and is perched on an outcropping of rock with an amazing view. You will have to leave your bike at the “Y” as it is Wilderness Area past this point, but it is a short walk to the lookout. From the “Y” start the grueling climb up the rocky jeep road, and eventually, when your lungs are about to explode, you should be at the top. From there, you can work your way back to the dirt pullout and head down Aspen Draw. Mt. Lemmon: Endless Discoveries