Photo by Brian Gordon . Cycling up the Mt Lemmon Hwy in Tucson, Arizona is an epic ride and will rival some of the best climbs across the country. The highway is frequently closed for a day or so following substantial snowfalls until plows can clear the road. The Mt Lemmon bike climb is Arizona’s #1 scenic bike route and top 10 beautiful bike climbs in the US. Overview Mt. Catalina Highway (General Hitchcock Highway): This 27-mile highway winds through the Santa Catalina Mountains ending near Mount Lemmon. The summit is 9,157 feet (2,791 m) above sea level, and receives approximately 180 inches (4.6 m) of snow annually. New modern cabin 2013. The Mt. The Mt Lemmon Gravel Grinder p/b Pinal County is on Friday October 30, 2020 to Saturday October 31, 2020. [1] The weather is usually mild enough to ski in a sweater and denim jeans, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 °F (−7 to 10 °C). Mt. Mount Lemmon was named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and E. O. Stratton, a local rancher, by horse and foot in 1881. If you love to clim… Lemmon Ski Valley (the United States), Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mount_Lemmon_Ski_Valley&oldid=978330001, Buildings and structures in Pima County, Arizona, Tourist attractions in Pima County, Arizona, Articles needing additional references from July 2020, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Vertical drop: 950' (estimated) feet (3rd highest in Arizona), Annual snowfall- Around 180 inches (4.6 m), This page was last edited on 14 September 2020, at 07:34. With crags located at elevations ranging from 2,500-9,000', comfortable climbing temps can be found year round. Lemmon via Tucson is ranked number of the Catalinas. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is located on the slopes of Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson, Arizona. The ski lift runs year round, as a "Sky Ride" experience in the summertime, offering views of the Ski Valley area, forest and grass-covered slopes, and the long distance vistas of the mountains and valleys in the distance north of the Santa Catalinas. When snow is on the ground, head up to the 8,000-foot elevation for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and snowshoeing at Ski Valley. Lemmon’s Ski Valley provides skiing from December into March. Lemmon greatest bike climb. A couple weeks back, I, along with three other guys hiked from Catalina State Park to the top of Mt. This climb belongs to the Catalinas. Mt Lemmon is the cool jewel of Southern Arizona, a sky island rising 7,000 feet from the Sonoran desert below. Lemmon its namesake. You start off at about 2,557 ft surrounded by saguaro cactus and mesquite trees and climb as high as 8,198 ft to pine tree vegetation and cool air. Summerhaven sits at 8,200 feet elevation, approximately 1,000 feet below the peak of Mt. The telescopes on the mountain are still used for astronomical research today by organizations such as the Catalina Sky Survey, the Mount Lemmon Sky Center,[10] the University of Arizona Astronomy Camp program,[11] the University of Arizona, and the University of Minnesota. Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range. The educational resources at the top of the mountain make it a unique research and teaching destination. Park rangers will not check for toll payments unless someone is using the park campgrounds. [1] Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is located on the slopes of Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson, Arizona. The lower elevation trails take you through hills and jagged canyons accented by cactus, manzanita and oak, and are great for hiking from mid fall through spring time. [13], Catalina Highway charges tolls for parking, camping, and hiking. It includes the following events: 60 Grind, 50 Grind, 40 Grind, 13 Grind Adventure Fun Ride, FREE Kids' Fun Ride, Dirt Klunker Crit & Halloween Costume Contest!, and Mt Lemmon Virtual Race / Challenge. It is located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. 10300 Ski Run Rd. After a day of exploring various life zones, dive into the cosmos and experience the vastness of the universe with a … [7], Summerhaven is a small town near the top of the mountain. Area Status: Temporarily Closed The Rose Canyon Lake is a six-acre lake. Stereograph of the Mt Lemmon Highway near Windy Point Vista. Lemmon SkyCenter is home to Steward Observatory's public astronomy outreach program and is located high above the city of Tucson, Arizona. [citation needed] Restrictions limiting travel to vehicles with chains or four-wheel-drive above certain elevations may also be in effect during these times.[2]. It is reported that Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, on the mountain's northeastern side, receives 200 inches (508 cm) of snow annually. Lemmon Scenic Byway, Tucson: Address, Phone Number, Mt. With 3 bedrooms and two an a half bathrooms, 1800 square ft. .Sawmill Run Restaurant, general store and Mt. More than 1,500 climbing routes can be found on the mountain, making it one of the most popular climbing areas in the state. On the way down there is no need for a bike lane because you will be keeping up with traffic. Tucson has the Catalina highway on the edge of town which goes up to the top of Mt Lemmon at an elevation of about 9100'. Lemmon Highway, a picturesque windy road which travels through various terrain as the elevation rises, ranging from Saguaro in the lower elevation to towering pine trees as you arrive near the top. Ski Valley is accessible via the Catalina Highway. We spend our Spring and Summer days basking among the pines and wild flowers of the alpine forests, our Autumns hiking through the kaleidoscope of Aspens and Maples, and our Winters sipping hot cocoa and playing in the snow. Mount Lemmon was named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and E. O. Stratton, a local rancher, by horse and foot in 1881. [citation needed] The ski season on Mount Lemmon usually occurs between mid-December and April. Therefore, large amounts of snow fall during the winter months, making it a cool escape and popular tourist attraction for Tucson and Phoenix inhabitants. It is small, beautiful and ecologically fragile. From cactus to conifers, hiking Mt Lemmon is the perfect year around past time. Lemmon is unquestionably the monarch of the Catalina Mountains. This route is popular with off-road 4x4 drivers and with off-road or dual-purpose motorcyclists. Lemmon is the scenic 30 mile drive up Mt. Greatest bike climbs in the world. The marathon begins roughly 25 miles up the Mt Lemmon Highway near the Sawmill Run restaurant in the quaint town of Summerhaven. 0.0 miles, 4950′: Park at the Bug Spring Trailhead (Alternative: There is a connecter trail that leaves the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site near the upper parking area at a large Forest Service Trail Sign). The "back" road to Mount Lemmon from the town of Oracle, Arizona, is dirt and is closed from December through March, and so provides no access during the ski season. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is a recreational ski area in the U.S. state of Arizona, and the southernmost ski destination in the continental United States. Lemmon. View of Mount Lemmon from the western side of, "California Beat Hero: Sara Plummer Lemmon", "Town of Summerhaven back after devastating fire", "A Finish Line With a Real High: 8,000 Feet", "Street Smarts: Highway, mountain named for botanist", The 126 most prominent summits of the United States of America, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mount_Lemmon&oldid=983985830, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 17 October 2020, at 13:30. The University of Arizona Mount Lemmon SkyCenter observatory houses the US’s largest dedicated public telescopes and hosts year-round nightly stargazing programs. Mt. The mileages and elevations below are approximate (don't expect the values below to match your GPS exactly). Although the United States military had a presence on the mountain for several decades all their facilities have been abandoned and were given to the United States Forest Service. [2], The Ski Valley is on United States Forest Service land, but is operated as a private concession by permit with the Forest Service. Numerous recreational amenities are offered on the mountain, including hiking, camping, fishing, birding, skiing, sledding and rock climbing. [14], Unpaved road on the north or "backside" of Mount Lemmon. Lemmon community center 1 minute away, Ski Valley 3 minutes away. Lemmon, AZ 85619. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from September until April. Mount Lemon-Hutchs Pools- Gordon Hirabayashi is a 15.8 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Summerhaven, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Nearby Peak Searches: Radius Search - Nearest Peaks to Mount Lemmon Elevation Ladder from Mount Lemmon Prominence Ladder from Mount Lemmon 2003-05-24 (2003-05-24). Cycling Mt. The portions have been intruded by a Diabase Dike of the Apace Group. This tool allows you to look up elevation data by searching address or clicking on a live google map. Lemmon Scenic Byway Reviews: 5/5 She is one of the first westerners to ascend Mt. Cactus, desert, and diamondback snakes more readily come to mind. Topographic Map of Mount Lemmon, Pima, United States. In all, we did 14+ miles in a little under nine hours. Mt. It is a summer residence for many but there are some year round residents. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is a recreational ski area in the U.S. state of Arizona, and the southernmost ski destination in the continental United States. The area and buildings that makes up the Mount Lemmon Station Observatory are leased from the Forest Service by the University of Arizona. Lemmon. The Mt. Mount Lemmon is made up of Bolsa Quartzite, Dripping Spring Quartzite, and a local sandstone and conglomerate. The road is in great shape with a bike lane for most of the ride. That's why, every winter, Tucson sees packs of riders in matching jerseys, many of them speaking languages other than English, booking up the mountain. One of the best parts about going up to Mt. Lemmon, a vertical climb of around 6,500 feet and a total elevation gain of over 7,500. Browse photos and videos of this truly spectacular bike climb. The Santa Catalina Ranger District, however, is home to the southernmost ski area in the continental United States, which is perched near the 9,157-foot summit of Mt. It is part of the Coronado National Forest, located near the mountaintop village of Summerhaven. [3][4] It is reported that Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, on the mountain's northeastern side, receives 200 inches (508 cm) of snow annually.[5].