Mount Lemmon: Tucson, Arizona

Mount Lemmon is part of the Coronado National Forest in the Santa Catalina Mountains and one of the best places for hiking in Tucson, Arizona. The first Tucsonans, the Pima people, named Tucson after a word in their own language the O'odham, that word was the name "Cuk Son". The translation for Cuk Son in English is "at the base of the black hill", referring to Mt Lemmon. This black sentinel that guards Tucson, rises 9,157 feet above the sea level and has become the favorite getaway for locals and tourists. The merciless heat of the dessert makes Tucsonans and visitors look for refuge in the cool breeze of the mountain's pine forest. During the winter, although it is located in the Sonora desert, and due to it's altitude, Mount Lemmon gets around 180 inches of snow. This stunning mount was named after the botanist Sarah Lemmon who first hiked to the top guide by native americans.

Since Sarah Lemmon hiked to the top for the first time in 1881, things have change and there are easier ways to get there. The one hour journey begins at the north of Tucson at Santa Catalina's foothills. As you drive away from the desert you can see the gigantic Saguaros being replace for windblown rock formations. This rocks, like wind-sculpted gargoyles, are the entrance of the pine forest that covers the top of Mount Lemmon.

Near the peak of Mt Lemmon you will find Summerhaven, a small town use as as a summer getaway for many Tucsonans, but there are also some locals who live there year round. Summerhaven, mostly made up of cabins, was nearly destroyed by the Aspen fire in June of 2003. The fires lasted for over a month and the the small town still recovering from it.

Looking for things to do in Tucson? Once you get to the top you'll find that there are several activities to choose from, and most likely you will find lots of people trying to take advantage of them, so make sure you get there as early as possible. This could guaranty you a good parking spot and better picnic areas. At the peak of Mount Lemmon you can find the observatory (use for astronomical research), the Mt Lemmon Sky Valley (the southernmost ski destination in the continental United States), hiking tours, picnic area and Windy Point, a viewpoint built by prisoners and a popular place for outdoor weddings. There is a fee for those who want to go up Mount Lemmon, only those who work or live in the mount are exempt to pay it. The fee is $5 per vehicle per day, and there is also an annual pass of $20. If you are planning on going during the winter be sure to bring snow tire and ski equipment. For more information regarding the mount or any of the touristic activities offer by the forest service you can contact Mount Lemon's road information at 741-4991.

Mount Lemmon: Tucson, Arizona

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