Isabella J.
Yelp
We sure are lucky to have Mount Lemmon pretty much on our backyard, truly on of Tucson's best places. Mount Lemmon gives so much back to all of us Tucsonan's whether we are seeking an athletic experience (via cycling, hiking, running, walking, and even paragliding), camping, fishing, picnics and even skiing. Yep. There really is a ski hill in Southern Arizona, and yes, it has more than one run. It has 22, thank you very much!
For the unfamiliar, Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Catalina Mountains, just over 9,000 feet! Aside from being an outdoor haven, Mount Lemmon is also home to the Mount Lemmon Observatory/Steward Observatory Telescope. Awesome, right?
Other attractions include:
Summer Haven: Which is essentially the top of Mt. Lemmon. Here you'll find the famous cookie cabin & pizza, the general store and fudge! Bring your friends, family, and dog! Everyone is welcome here.
Ski Valley: Just a couple miles above Summer Haven you'll find Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, the southernmost ski resort in the United States. Unfortunately, ski season is hit or miss since we don't always get consistent snow fall. I can't speak to the quality of the runs because I've never been. If anything, I'll go sledding! Is that allowed?
Mt. Lemmon boasts all kinds of trails for every level. I recently did the Meadow Loop trail which is an easy 1.5 mile loop. I didn't find it difficult, but there are some steep spots to watch for. Depending on your pace, you can get a decent workout out of this one. The Wilderness of Rocks trails is a challenging 8 mile down and up hike. It's pretty rocky and steep and takes about 5 hours. Bring plenty of water and snacks!
-Rose Canyon is a great spot for camping and a fishing lake.
-There's an annual Oktoberfest celebration at Ski Valley. It's awesome! It's outdoors, the weather is cool and crisp, they offer free rides up the ski lift, Polka music, beer and brats! It's not to be missed.
If you've never been...do it! The drive alone is incredible; literally starting the drive surrounded by mesquite trees and saguaros and ending at the top with pine trees and fresh air!
A note to drivers: Mount Lemmon is a destination for cyclists (including the pros). It's important to drive the speed limit and watch out for them and share the road!