Mount Lemmon Trail #5 • Hiking • Arizona • HikeArizona.COM

Rated

Region

Mine

Friends

Statistics
Difficulty 2.5 Route Finding 1
Distance One Way	5.8 miles
Trailhead Elevation	9,100 feet
Elevation Gain	-1,600 feet
Avg Time One Way	3 hours

Author HAZ Hikebot

	Descriptions 12,373
	Routes 8,714
	Photos 17
	Trips 1 map (6 Miles)
	Age 16
	Location Arizona

Photos

2013-05-04

Mount Lemmon from Catalin

bknorby

2013-04-13

Mount Lemmon from Catalin

BiFrost

2013-04-13

Mount Lemmon from Catalin

slowandsteady

2012-10-29

Canada del Oro Trail #4

nicolelee

2012-10-12

Mount Lemmon from Catalin

Patrick L

2012-08-11

Samaniego Peak

Sarae

2012-07-01

Meadow Trail #5A

cindyl

2012-06-02

Upper Lemmon Cyn & Pools

bknorby

2012-05-11

Meadow Trail #5A

keepmoving

2012-04-24

Jim_H

2012-04-20

Mount Lemmon/Lemmon Rock

Al_HikesAZ

2012-03-31

Oracle Ridge - AZT #12

coanbru

Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

	Large Profile
	Forecast
	Historical Weather
	Radar

Forest Coronado
Wilderness Pusch Ridge
Backpack - Possible & Connecting
Seasons - Late Spring to Summer

Dogs not allowed

Route

Alternative Routes

Water

Nearby Hikes

Area Water Sources

direct air miles away to trailhead

0.0 •	Mount Lemmon/Lemmon Rock Loop
0.0 •	Samaniego Peak
0.0 •	Meadow Trail #5A
0.1 •	Shovel Springs Loop
0.1 •	Mount Lemmon to Sabino Canyon
0.1 •	Mount Lemmon 9,157

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Fauna

Horned Lizard

Flora

		Bracken Fern
		Common Mullein
		Douglas-Fir
		Madrone
		Yellow Columbine

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Arizona on the Edge
by HAZ Hikebot

Mobile Version

Expansive views, lots of connecting trails, and access to the western portion of the Wilderness of Rock with its immense boulders and picturesque formations characterize this high country trail. The Mt. Lemmon Trail starts out near the summit of the 9,157 foot peak for which it is named, at a parking area about a mile past Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley near the end of Observatory Road. After following an access road along a buried powerline, it strikes off on a more backcountry course down one of the most prominent ridges that fan out from the mountaintop. Views are big here, encompassing the Wilderness of Rock to the southeast, Romero Canyon to the west and north, and most dramatic of all, Pusch Ridge to the west, stairstepping its sawtooth course toward Tucson.

The route the Mt. Lemmon Trail follows through this rugged, mountainous country is steep and rocky in a number of places. Most notable of those difficult stretches are the series of switchbacks where the trail drops off the high ridge of the Catalinas toward the Wilderness of Rock, and the section between the Wilderness of Rock Trail #44 and West Fork Trail #24 junctions where trail gradients are as steep as they get in the Santa Catalinas.

The Mt. Lemmon Trail provides access to a number of other trails in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness including Sutherland #6, Lemmon Rock Lookout #12, Wilderness of Rock #44, Romero #8 and West Fork #24 trails. Many who hike this trail leave a second vehicle at one of these other trailheads and use the Mt. Lemmon Trail as part of a long day trip or a segment of a multi-day backpack. Whatever option you choose, chances are good that you'll be back to try one of the others.

Attractions:
Fabulous views of Pusch Ridge
Overlooks of Wilderness of Rock
Access to Sabino Basin
Mountaintop to desert diversity
Arizona Trail segment
- Feb 25 2008 HAZ Hikebot

One-Way Notice: This hike is listed as One-Way. When you hike several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example.

Directions

Preferred Months

Apr May Sep Oct

Cell Phone Signal

Yes

Sunrise

5:21am

Sunset

7:18pm

Road / Vehicle	Paved - Car Okay
Fees / Permit	Sabino/Madera - $5 per day or $20 annual. Catalina State Park $6 per day. Sabino Canyon Tram is $8 extra.
Directions	Print Version To hike Take the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue 28 miles, past Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, to the power substation on Radio Ridge. Hike west on the trail to a dirt road. Hike down the road to the trail junction. The Catalina Highway is paved and suitable for passenger cars. Observatory Road is an all-weather gravelled road. Both roads may be snow-covered in winter, when chains or 4-wheel drive may be required. Observatory Road beyond Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is not maintained for public use during the winter. It is closed when snow-covered or icy. [ Update Directions ] [ Update Permit ]
	Login for Mapped Driving Directions

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

		Mount Lemmon Trail #5, AZ	Print Full \| Basic Directions