Mount Lemmon from Catalina SP?

[Jim]

I have been eyeing the hike from Catalina SP to Mount Lemmon, and I like it. I would like to do it, and do it either at the end of May, or in early to mid-June. I would expect to need a partner for this, as 30 miles and 7,000' up and down is too much for me to enjoy it. The partner would be for the second car to be parked at the top, or near the top. The plan would be to hike from the park to the summit. Up, not down. Multiple people would be fine, too. I would camp at the park.

Is this interesting to people? I'm flexible to days and the like. Unless something big comes up, like I have to move. I will make it the first weekend in June, but it can be a week day, and or ealier or leter, if people are interested in the hike.



Here's a thought: does the AEG count for anything, since while you hike up about 7,000', you only descend about 1000'?

[uphill_junkie]

Of course it counts, it's gain, not change. I'm interested in doing this, but am not sure when I could do it. Things seem to be booking up mighty fast. Lemmon has been on my bucket list and I can't believe I haven't done it yet!

[Tough_Boots]

oh, man... this is on the list of hikes I want to do but don't want to do . Its starting to get a little toasty for something like this, isn't it? I'm puttin' in for interested but I'm seriously watching the temps on this one. I'm prepared to be miserable but not THAT miserable. Translation: I can be talked into it.

[Jim]

Toasty? You mean like finally getting to be tolerable for the terrain above 6,000'? Yes, it would be warm down low, but the hike is on the north side of the Pusch Ridge, so it won't be like the Finger Rock or Pima Canyon trails, which would be baking hot from the south face and radiating sun. No, it won't be cold. If you start at a reasonable hour it will be pretty nice. Early, but not too early. I like to camp at Catalina SP, since you start from there, there are showers for before and after, and (I know this will ruffle some pretentious feathers) there is a McDonalds nearby which suits me well as I like to eat their dense, high calorie food before a big outing. 15 miles and at least 7000' AEG is a big outing, for me. I did it on Whitney in February and it served me well. It's Arizona's "Cactus to Clouds, but a little nicer in some ways. Early June is a good time of year because there is no storm threat, and while it will be hot below 5000', you get above that pretty fast and it should be nice above, real nice.

I don't think you should do it for a list, but because it looks like a fun, solid hike. Come on, granite, Saguaro, oaks, pines, firs, even some running water, what's not to love?

[Tough_Boots]

What's your planned start time? I won't be able to camp the night before, though. I gotta work that friday evening but can make the drive down in the morning. I could be there at 7am if I leave tempe at 5am. This is one of those hikes I want to do the more I think about it.

[Jim]

Thats cool, and as I wrote earlier, I'm flexible with the day of the hike. Also, the start time. I'm no early bird. Not up here anyway, so 7am is a really good time to start. Remember, we will both need to drive up to the top to deposit a car for a later descent, so we should budget some time there. Maybe 2 hours? Therefore, while it is not mandatory to camp, or do that the night before, it is helpful. I'm perfectly OK with beginning the hike between 0930 and 1000. It's only 15 miles, and we're only going one way, so it won't be bad. Water is the only thing we'll need to think about. I know it's flowing at Romero Pools, or was, but above that is uncertain. I have and can bring my filter, if that is worth while. Worth while being available and filterable water above the pools.

[Tough_Boots]

I'm not so worried about water. I planned on carrying all of mine in. Its not uncommon for me to have 4.5 liters in my pack plus gatorade.

[Jim]

Word, I will probably carry then, too. I like to pre-hydrate and can carry a lot as well. It shouldn't really be hot above 5000 to 6000, unless we lolly-gag.

Well, keep this in mind if you're interested.

[---]

If you were starting at 5 a.m. and I didn't have family in town that weekend, I would be very interested.

As for water, it should be available nearly up to Romero Pass, and then again in Wilderness of Rocks (if you go that route, which I would recommend because it "rocks").

[KatieSlack]

I'm new at this, so I hope I'm following correct etiquette. I'd be very much interested in the Catalina SP–Mt Lemmon hike, and could do it on your schedule. Could camp the night before if necessary, although I'm an early riser and could just as easily drive the few miles from my home on Dove Mt. for a 5 AM start. For the record, I hiked Sabino Canyon to Catalina SP a couple of weeks ago and it was awesome. 21 miles in 9 miles, including a 45-minute stop so my companion could swim in a pool.

[Jim]

You're welcome to come, and you can check the appropriate box up top. If you come out for this, the start time will definitely not be 5am. No need to camp if you live in Tucson.

[KatieSlack]

OK, I added my name at the top. Guess I misunderstood about the start time. Earlier the better. Since I live nearby, I'd be happy to bring a good breakfast for our group. McDonald's not necessary (unless that's your preference, of course).

[Jim]

I need coffee, and fatty meats.

[KatieSlack]

So noted.

Do I just keep checking this site for status?

[Jim]

I'll send out contact info next week to committed members.

[Tough_Boots]

If the 7am arrival is still good, I'll go ahead and commit on this one.

[johnlp]

I'm interested. Would want to carpool from the valley.

[Tough_Boots]

@johnlp

I'm in Tempe. Are you planning on camping the night before or going in the morning?

[johnlp]

Morning is fine, unless you want to camp. I could probably work that in too.

[Tough_Boots]

I gotta work friday evening, so its gonna have to be a day trip for me.