Mt. Lemmon via Catalina State Park

[labhunter]

Hi everyone, new here and first post. My wife and I are going to do the CSP to Mt. Lemmon Summit Sunday and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or has completed the hike recently? I noticed there were a few on this forum who have in the past, and I downloaded the route into my GPS. I am more interested in taking the Lemmon trail instead of Wilderness of Rocks, but I haven't found anyone who has taking this route. Any tips or recommendations would be well appreciated, Thanks!

[azbackpackr]

If there is snow you will have a bit of route finding to do. Are you planning to also hike all the way back down? Or leave a second car somewhere up there? I have done a lot of those hikes, but not for awhile. You need to talk to Jeff MacE.

[joebartels]

Did it last year using #5, my route is posted on Jeff's page. It's well signed. Shouldn't be any issues unless there is snow and you don't like snow.

[labhunter]

We are having someone meet us at top for pie. I am not sure about the snow, yesterday was a pretty decent storm, but the next two days may melt some of it. As long as it is not too deep, we don't mind the snow. The only thing that keeps me home is howling wind, especially on the mountain tops. Thanks for the help

[keepmoving]

In case you didn't know: the gate at ski valley is closed for the season, so your ride cannot pick you up at the very top. Your going to have to add a little extra mileage to your hike and head down the dirt road to the ski area.

[JimmyLyding]

I believe the place that was famous for its pies, the Mt. Lemmon Cafe, is closed.

[azbackpackr]

I had heard that, too, but I googled it, and it seems there may be someplace that serves them again. There were recent reports of pies...

[labhunter]

Thanks for all the tips everyone! My wife and I woke up and hit the trail at 6:30. It was an absolutely perfect day for a hike, we made it to the saddle took a little break and enjoyed the views. Then off on trail #5, the lemmon trail, and worked our way up to the observatory. The trail was in good shape and as someone posted it is well marked, I only had one little mix up and just back tracked a minute and was back on trail. For the last 1000ft there was a about an inch to two on of snow and saw a nice buck along with bear tracks. All in all a great hike, and would highly recommend it this time of year.

[joebartels]

Good to hear!
Please consider posting a triplog

[labhunter]

I accidentally forgot to turn off my gps and triplog the first 5 miles on the ride out. If anyone has any tips on how to get rid of that portion I will certainly post it (gps - venture hc)

[joebartels]

If you post it I'll clean it up in seconds no problem

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, Joe has lots of practice with that, because of people like me! ;)

[Jeffshadows]

Sorry I came too late to the party; this is a classic! I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves!!

[labhunter]

First time posting a hike so not sure if I did it correctly. I posted it as " Mt. Lemmon via Romero Trail." I cleaned up after we hiked down into the Ski Valley, technically we went from romero to lemmon trail, unfortunately we didnt continue through to the ski valley on the trail, we missed the break in the trail and took the road down from the observatory to the ski valley. It is a great trip, saw a deer and bear tracks up top, but was pretty quite most of the way. Never saw anyone else on the trail. I think next time we will try the sutherland trail, just a different perspective.