Oracle Ridge Trail #1, AZ

This trail follows one of the earliest known routes to the top of Mt. Lemmon, believed to be the trail that John and Sara Lemmon followed in the early 1880's on their trip to the summit of the mountain which was later named in Sara's honor. This trail is reportedly where biologist Lemmon saw his first Arizona pine. Actually a subspecies or variety of ponderosa pine, this was the first of roughly 100 plant species and subspecies Lemmon cataloged in the state's southern mountains.

In spite of the fact that the Oracle Ridge Trail has been traveled for so long a time, it is quite hard to follow in a number of places, perhaps because it passes through a center of mining and prospecting activity. As a result, old mining roads and bulldozer paths have obscured the trail in several places. If you are a history buff, you'll appreciate the old and not-so-old mines you encounter along this route. If your interests tend toward more natural sights, you'll probably spend more time taking in the views which stretch to the north, east and west. The Oracle Ridge Trail passes very near the summit of Rice Peak and relatively near the summit of Apache Peak. These two peaks offer good views of Mt. Lemmon and the Santa Catalinas, as well as of the historic mining district around the town of Oracle and the basin and range landscape beyond.

Attractions: Ridge top panoramas, North, east, and west views, Pine forest to desert diversity, Historic mining area & Arizona Trail segment.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

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2008-02-25 HAZ_Hikebot