Mount Lemmon

The Catalina Highway to Mount Lemmon is one of the great short road trips in the Southwest. In about an hour of winding mountain driving you climb from the saguaro desert floor to ponderosa pine, spruce and fir forest at over nine thousand feet, passing through the equivalent of several climate zones, which is why geologists and ecologists call the range a sky island. Overlooks such as Windy Point Vista provide vast views over Tucson and the valley, with granite hoodoos and boulders weathered into strange shapes all along the road. At the top is the small village of Summerhaven, rebuilt after a major wildfire, where visitors browse small shops, eat famous pizza and cookies, and escape summer heat; temperatures are often around thirty degrees cooler than the city. The mountain also holds the southernmost ski area in the United States, which operates when snow allows, and hiking trails such as those near Butterfly Trail and Marshall Gulch. An audio driving tour turns the drive into a narrated journey, explaining the geology, ecology and history of the byway as you climb.

The drive itself is the attraction, so allow plenty of time for photo stops and do not rush. Fill the gas tank beforehand, bring water and snacks, and carry a jacket, even in July. Most of the road is paved and well maintained, but it is narrow and twisty, with cyclists sharing the lane, so drive carefully and use pullouts to let others pass.

The byway passes through national forest, so a fee may apply at certain stops. In winter, snow can close the road or require chains; check conditions before you leave. Weekends in summer are busiest, and Summerhaven restaurants can have waits.

Astronomy is a bonus. The mountain hosts a University of Arizona observing facility offering evening stargazing programs, and the clear, dry air makes the stars brilliant. Visiting at sunset and staying for stars is a unique Tucson evening. For hikers, shorter forest walks offer easy ways to stretch your legs; strong walkers can take on longer ridge trails. Combine Mount Lemmon with Sabino Canyon, which lies at the base of the byway, for a full day exploring the Catalina range.

Use the pullouts generously. Each turn offers a different landscape: rounded boulders and cactus at the bottom, juniper and oak in the middle, then pine and fir near the top, where the air smells of sap and the temperature drops noticeably. Many travelers combine the drive with a short hike, such as a forest loop near Marshall Gulch, a picnic in a shaded pine grove or a visit to a roadside viewpoint for sunset.

In autumn, patches of aspen and maple add color, and in winter, snow can turn the summit into a surprise white landscape within sight of the desert. Whatever the season, give yourself the time to stop and breathe.

Cyclists treat the byway as a legendary climb, so expect to share the road and give riders plenty of room. If you prefer not to drive the curves yourself, a narrated audio tour keeps you informed while you concentrate on the road, and the descent at sunset delivers the best views of the city lights below. Snacks, a camera and patience are the only equipment you need.