Mount Lemmon: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 32°26′35″N 110°47′19″W / 32.442961983°N 110.788478444°W / 32.442961983; -110.788478444
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{{Short description|Mountain in Arizona, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox mountain
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Mount Lemmon
| name = Mount Lemmon
| photo = File:View of Mount Lemmon from West Saguaro National Park near Tuscon, AZ.jpg
| photo = File:View of the Santa Catalina Mountains from West Saguaro National Park near Tuscon, AZ.jpg
| photo_size =
| photo_size =
| photo_alt =
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = View of Mount Lemmon from the western side of [[Tucson]]
| photo_caption = View of Mount Lemmon from the western side of
| elevation_ft = 9171
| elevation_ft = 9171
| elevation_ref = {{navd88}}<ref name="ngs">{{cite ngs |pid=CZ1859 |name=Catalina 2 Reset |accessdate=2016-08-18}}</ref>
| elevation_ref = {{navd88}}<ref name="ngs">{{cite ngs |pid=CZ1859 |name=Catalina 2 Reset |access-date=2016-08-18}}</ref>
| prominence_ft = 5157
| prominence_ft = 5157
| prominence_ref = <ref name="pb">{{cite peakbagger |pid=4191 |name=Mount Lemmon, Arizona |accessdate=2014-02-07}}</ref>
| prominence_ref = <ref name="pb">{{cite peakbagger |pid=4191 |name=Mount Lemmon, Arizona |access-date=2014-02-07}}</ref>
| listing = {{unbulleted list
| listing = {{unbulleted list
| [[List of highest points in Arizona by county|Arizona county high point]]<ref>{{cite peakbagger |lid=lid=13211 |name=Arizona County High Points |access-date=2021-11-15}}</ref>
| [[List of the most prominent summits of the United States|US most prominent peaks]] 117th
| [[List of the most prominent summits of the United States|U.S. most prominent peaks]] 117th }}
}}
| location = [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], [[Pima County, Arizona|Pima County]], [[Arizona|Arizona, U.S.]]
| location = [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], [[Pima County, Arizona|Pima County]], [[Arizona|Arizona, U.S.]]
| range = [[Santa Catalina Mountains]]
| range = [[Santa Catalina Mountains]]
Line 28: Line 29:
| easiest_route = [[Catalina Highway]]
| easiest_route = [[Catalina Highway]]
}}
}}
[[File:Backside.jpg|thumb|Unpaved road on the north or "backside" of Mount Lemmon]]
[[File:SkyIslandPkwy.JPG|Catalina Highway climbing Mount LemmonFile:Stereograph_-Mount_Lemmon_Highway.jpg|thumb|upright|This is a stereograph of the Mt Lemmon Highway near Windy Point Vista. Once clicked on, position your eyes about 15 inches from your monitor, and relax your vision so that you are looking at infinity far behind your monitor. The two images will eventually meld into one three dimensional image.]]


'''Mount Lemmon''', with a summit elevation of {{convert|9,159|ft|0}},<ref name="ngs"/> is the highest point in the [[Santa Catalina Mountains]]. It is located in the [[Coronado National Forest]] north of [[Tucson, Arizona]], United States. Mount Lemmon was named for [[botany|botanist]] [[Sara Plummer Lemmon]], who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and E. O. Stratton, a local rancher, by horse and foot in 1881.<ref name="calbeat">{{cite web |url=http://www.californiabeat.org/2009/05/27/california-beat-hero-sara-plummer-lemmon |title=California Beat Hero: Sara Plummer Lemmon |date=May 27, 2009 |publisher=CaliforniaBeat.org |accessdate=2014-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Lemmon, J.G. |title=A botanical wedding trip |work=Californian vol. 5. no. 24. |pages=517–525 |year=1881 |url=http://www.nybg.org/files/The_Californian_BotanicalWeddingTrip.pdf |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092321/http://www.nybg.org/files/The_Californian_BotanicalWeddingTrip.pdf |archivedate=April 2, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It is reported that [[Mount Lemmon Ski Valley]], on the mountain's northeastern side, receives {{convert|200|in|cm|0}} of snow annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skitown.com/resortguide/stats.cfm/az02/Mt.Lemmon |title=Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley |publisher=SkiTown.com |accessdate=2014-02-07}}</ref>
'''Mount Lemmon''', with a summit elevation of {{convert|9,159|ft|0}},<ref name="ngs"/> is the highest point in the [[Santa Catalina Mountains]]. It is located in the [[Coronado National Forest]] north of [[Tucson, Arizona]], United States. Mount Lemmon was named for [[botany|botanist]] [[Sara Plummer Lemmon]], who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and E. O. Stratton, a local rancher, by horse and foot in 1881.<ref name="calbeat">{{cite web |url=http://www.californiabeat.org/2009/05/27/california-beat-hero-sara-plummer-lemmon |title=California Beat Hero: Sara Plummer Lemmon |date=May 27, 2009 |publisher=CaliforniaBeat.org |access-date=2014-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Lemmon, J.G. |title=A botanical wedding trip |work=Californian vol. 5. no. 24. |pages=517–525 |year=1881 |url=http://www.nybg.org/files/The_Californian_BotanicalWeddingTrip.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092321/http://www.nybg.org/files/The_Californian_BotanicalWeddingTrip.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Mount Lemmon is also known as Babad Do'ag, or Frog Mountain<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-07-22|title=How did Mt. Lemmon Get Its Name?|url=https://southernarizonaguide.com/how-did-mt-lemmon-get-its-name/|access-date=2021-08-06|website=SouthernArizonaGuide.com|language=en-US}}</ref> to the [[Tohono Oʼodham|Tohono O'odham]].

==Geography==

===Climate===
Due to the elevation change from the bottom to the top, the summit of the mountain can be 20–30°F cooler than the base. It usually sees at least one snowfall during the winter months, making it a cool escape and popular tourist attraction for Tucson inhabitants.

==Geology==
Mount Lemmon is made up of [[Bolsa Quartzite]], [[Dripping Spring Quartzite]], and a local sandstone and conglomerate. The portions have been intruded by a [[Diabase]] [[Dike (geology)|Dike]] of the [[Apache Group (geology)|Apace Group]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bezy |first1=John V. |title=A Guide to the Geology of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona: The Geology and Life Zones of a Madrean Sky Island |date=2016 |publisher=The Arizona Geological Survey |location=Tucson, AZ |isbn=978-0-9854798-2-4 |edition=Down to Earth #22 |url=http://repository.azgs.az.gov/sites/default/files/dlio/files/nid1679/bezy-santacatalina-22-final.pdf |access-date=2 September 2020}}</ref>


==Summerhaven==
==Summerhaven==
[[File:Summerhaven,_Cookie_Cabin.jpg|thumb|left|Summerhaven, Cookie Cabin]]
[[Summerhaven, Arizona|Summerhaven]] is a small town near the top of the mountain. It is a summer residence for many but there are some year round residents. There are many small cabins most of which were rebuilt after the [[Aspen Fire]] of July 2003.<ref>{{cite web |last=Faherty |first=John |title=Town of Summerhaven back after devastating fire |url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/17/20080617Summerhaven.html |publisher=AZ Central |accessdate=2012-08-28}}</ref>
[[Summerhaven, Arizona|Summerhaven]] is a small town near the top of the mountain. It is a summer residence for many, but there are some year-round residents. There are many small cabins, most of which were rebuilt after the [[Aspen Fire]] of July 2003.<ref>{{cite web |last=Faherty |first=John |title=Town of Summerhaven back after devastating fire |url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/17/20080617Summerhaven.html |publisher=AZ Central |access-date=2012-08-28}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|single line = yes
|location = Mount Lemmon, Arizona (1958–2009)
|width= 80%
|collapsed =
|temperature colour = <!--Enter "pastel" for pastel temperature colors, remove this line for the standard coloring.-->

|Jan record high F =65
|Feb record high F =65
|Mar record high F =68
|Apr record high F =74
|May record high F =82
|Jun record high F =91
|Jul record high F =89
|Aug record high F =82
|Sep record high F =81
|Oct record high F =76
|Nov record high F =71
|Dec record high F =65
|year record high F =91

|Jan high F =49.2
|Feb high F =48.3
|Mar high F =52.9
|Apr high F =60.8
|May high F =69.1
|Jun high F =76.4
|Jul high F =76.5
|Aug high F =73.6
|Sep high F =70.4
|Oct high F =61.7
|Nov high F =56.3
|Dec high F =50.6
|year high F=62.2
|Jan low F =22.8
|Feb low F =21.8
|Mar low F =25.7
|Apr low F =31.7
|May low F =36.6
|Jun low F =44.4
|Jul low F =49.8
|Aug low F =49.8
|Sep low F =45.1
|Oct low F =36.4
|Nov low F =29.7
|Dec low F =24.3
|year low F=34.8

|Jan record low F =-4
|Feb record low F =-7
|Mar record low F =-1
|Apr record low F =19
|May record low F =27
|Jun record low F =32
|Jul record low F =39
|Aug record low F =42
|Sep record low F =31
|Oct record low F =20
|Nov record low F =4
|Dec record low F =4
|year record low F =-7

|precipitation colour= green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.15
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.69
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.17
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.50
|May precipitation inch = 0.42
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.62
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.41
|Aug precipitation inch = 7.00
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.39
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.04
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.95
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.60
|Jan rain inch =
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<!--Snowfall-->
|Jan snow inch =16.5
|Feb snow inch =20.4
|Mar snow inch = 6.8
|Apr snow inch = 2.0
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 2.0
|Nov snow inch = 6.2
|Dec snow inch =11.0
|year snow inch=64.9
<!--Average daily % humidity-->
|Jan humidity=
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|unit precipitation days= <!--If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. E.g. 0.1 in, 0.01 in.-->
|Jan precipitation days = 5
|Feb precipitation days = 5
|Mar precipitation days = 5
|Apr precipitation days = 3
|May precipitation days = 2
|Jun precipitation days = 2
|Jul precipitation days =10
|Aug precipitation days =11
|Sep precipitation days = 5
|Oct precipitation days = 3
|Nov precipitation days = 3
|Dec precipitation days = 5
|year precipitation days=59
<!--Average number of rainy days-->
|unit rain days= <!--If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. E.g. 0.1 in, 0.01 in.-->
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|unit snow days= <!--If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. E.g. 0.1 in, 0.01 in.-->
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<!--Average monthly sunshine hours, monthly totals are preferred, and will produce colors, but percentages are accepted.-->
|Jan sun= 241
|Feb sun= 243
|Mar sun= 299
|Apr sun= 325
|May sun= 374
|Jun sun= 372
|Jul sun= 327
|Aug sun= 319
|Sep sun= 315
|Oct sun= 301
|Nov sun= 260
|Dec sun= 242
|source 1= Western Region Climate Center <ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?az5732|title= Mount Lemmon, Arizona Climate Summary|publisher= Western Regional Climate Center |access-date=December 4, 2011 }}</ref>
|date=May 2012}}


==Mount Lemmon Station Observatory==
==Mount Lemmon Station Observatory==
{{main article|Mount Lemmon Observatory}}
{{Main|Mount Lemmon Observatory}}


At the peak is the [[Mount Lemmon Observatory]], which was formerly the site of a USAF radar base of the [[Air Defense Command]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Defense Radar Stations |url=http://www.radomes.org/museum/showsite.php?site=Mount+Lemmon+AFS,+AZ |publisher=Radomes Inc.|accessdate=2012-08-28}}</ref> and the building that formerly housed a military emergency radar tracking station for landing the [[Space Shuttle]] at [[White Sands Missile Range]]. Although the [[United States military]] had a presence on the mountain for several decades all their facilities have been abandoned and were given to the [[United States Forest Service]]. The area and buildings that makes up the Mount Lemmon Station Observatory are leased from the Forest Service by the University of Arizona. The telescopes on the mountain are still used for astronomical research today by organizations such as the [[Catalina Sky Survey]], the [[Mount Lemmon Sky Center]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://skycenter.arizona.edu/ |title=SkyCenter |publisher=University of Arizona |accessdate=2016-08-18}}</ref> the [[University of Arizona]] [[Astronomy Camp]] program,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astronomycamp.org/pages/lemmon.html |title=Astronomy Camp |publisher=University of Arizona SkyCenter |accessdate=2016-08-18}}</ref> the University of Arizona, and the [[University of Minnesota]]. The educational resources at the top of the mountain make it a unique research and teaching destination.
At the peak is the [[Mount Lemmon Observatory]], which was formerly the site of a USAF radar base of the [[Air Defense Command]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Defense Radar Stations |url=http://www.radomes.org/museum/showsite.php?site=Mount+Lemmon+AFS,+AZ |publisher=Radomes Inc.|access-date=2012-08-28}}</ref> and the building that formerly housed a military emergency radar tracking station for landing the [[Space Shuttle]] at [[White Sands Missile Range]]. Although the [[United States military]] had a presence on the mountain for several decades all their facilities have been abandoned and were given to the [[United States Forest Service]]. The area and buildings that makes up the Mount Lemmon Station Observatory are leased from the Forest Service by the University of Arizona. The telescopes on the mountain are still used for astronomical research today by organizations such as the [[Catalina Sky Survey]], the [[Mount Lemmon Sky Center]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://skycenter.arizona.edu/ |title=SkyCenter |publisher=University of Arizona |access-date=2016-08-18}}</ref> the [[University of Arizona]] [[Astronomy Camp]] program,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astronomycamp.org/pages/lemmon.html |title=Astronomy Camp |publisher=University of Arizona SkyCenter |access-date=2016-08-18}}</ref> the University of Arizona, and the [[University of Minnesota]]. The educational resources at the top of the mountain make it a unique research and teaching destination.


==Catalina Highway==
==Catalina Highway==
[[File:Mount Lemmon (35229949722).jpg|thumb|right|Catalina Highway in the Santa Catalina Mountains]]
The [[Catalina Highway]], also called the Mount Lemmon Highway, as well as the Hitchcock Highway (after [[Frank Harris Hitchcock]]) runs up the Santa Catalina Mountains from the east side of Tucson up to [[Summerhaven, Arizona|Summerhaven]], at the top of Mt. Lemmon. The beautiful, curving road is a favorite drive for tourists, for locals escaping summer's heat and cyclists, and has been recently designated as the ''Sky Island Parkway'', part of the US [[National Scenic Byway]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azdot.gov/highways/SWProjMgmt/enhancement_scenic/scenicroads/ScenicRoads_Common/Scenic_Tucson_Southern_Arizona.asp|publisher=Arizona Dept. of Transportation|title=Name change to Sky Island Parkway|accessdate=2010-07-14}}</ref>
The [[Catalina Highway]], also called the Mount Lemmon Highway, as well as the Hitchcock Highway (after [[Frank Harris Hitchcock]]), runs up the Santa Catalina Mountains from the east side of Tucson up to [[Summerhaven, Arizona|Summerhaven]], at the top of Mt. Lemmon. The beautiful, curving road is a favorite drive for tourists, for locals escaping summer's heat and cyclists, and has been recently designated as the ''Sky Island Parkway'', part of the US [[National Scenic Byway]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azdot.gov/highways/SWProjMgmt/enhancement_scenic/scenicroads/ScenicRoads_Common/Scenic_Tucson_Southern_Arizona.asp|publisher=Arizona Dept. of Transportation|title=Name change to Sky Island Parkway|access-date=2010-07-14}}</ref>


2010 saw the inaugural running of the [[Mount Lemmon Marathon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/sports/18tucson.html |title=A Finish Line With a Real High: 8,000 Feet |first=Marc |last=Lacey |date=October 17, 2010 |accessdate=2010-10-28 |publisher=New York Times}}</ref>
2010 saw the inaugural running of the [[Mount Lemmon Marathon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/sports/18tucson.html |title=A Finish Line With a Real High: 8,000 Feet |first=Marc |last=Lacey |date=October 17, 2010 |access-date=2010-10-28 |work=New York Times}}</ref>

== Climate ==
The summit of the mountain is approximately twenty degrees cooler than the base. Therefore, large amounts of snow fall during the winter months, making it a cool escape and popular tourist attraction for Tucson and Phoenix inhabitants.


== Fees and permits ==
== Fees and permits ==
Catalina Highway charges tolls for parking, camping, and hiking. However, the tolls are only officially charged for people who are camping. Tolls for other events, such as hiking, parking, or grilling, are a part of the honor system. Park rangers will not check for toll payments unless someone is using the park campgrounds. Anyone wishing to sightsee or travel to Summerhaven are not subjected to paying tolls.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}}
Catalina Highway charges tolls for parking, camping, and hiking. However, the tolls are only officially charged for people who are camping. Tolls for other events, such as hiking, parking, or grilling, are a part of the honor system. Park rangers will not check for toll payments unless someone is using the park campgrounds. Anyone wishing to sightsee or travel to Summerhaven are not subjected to paying tolls.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}}
[[File:Scenic View from Mount Lemmon.jpg|thumb|240x240px|View from Windy Point Visa while ascending Mt. Lemmon]]


==Back side==
==Back side==


An unpaved road to the summit on the north side of Mount Lemmon starts in [[Oracle, Arizona|Oracle]], which is on [[Arizona State Route 77|Arizona Route 77]] north of Tucson. It offers a secondary route to the top. This route is popular with off-road 4x4 drivers and with off-road or dual-purpose motorcyclists. This road ends at the Catalina Highway near Loma Linda. Before the Catalina Highway was built it was the only route up the mountain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Backway to Mount Lemmon |url=http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XFT002-067 |publisher=Trails.com |accessdate=2012-08-28}}</ref>
An unpaved road to the summit on the north side of Mount Lemmon starts in [[Oracle, Arizona|Oracle]], which is on [[Arizona State Route 77|Arizona Route 77]] north of Tucson. It offers a secondary route to the top. This route is popular with off-road 4x4 drivers and with off-road or dual-purpose motorcyclists. This road ends at the Catalina Highway near Loma Linda. Before the Catalina Highway was built it was the only route up the mountain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Backway to Mount Lemmon |url=http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XFT002-067 |publisher=Trails.com |access-date=2012-08-28}}</ref>


<gallery mode="packed" heights=100px>
<gallery>
File:Hoodoos,_Santa_Catalina_Mountains.jpg|Hoodoos, Santa Catalina Mountains
File:Hoodoos,_Santa_Catalina_Mountains.jpg|Hoodoos, Santa Catalina Mountains
File:Remnants_of_the_2003_Aspen_Fire.jpg|Remnants of the 2003 Aspen Fire
File:Remnants_of_the_2003_Aspen_Fire.jpg|Remnants of the 2003 Aspen Fire
File:Mount_Lemmon_Ski_Valley.jpg|Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
File:Mount_Lemmon_Ski_Valley.jpg|Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
File:Cabins_atop_Mt_Lemmon_in_Summerhaven.jpg|Cabins atop Mt Lemmon in Summerhaven
File:Cabins_atop_Mt_Lemmon_in_Summerhaven.jpg|Cabins atop Mt Lemmon in Summerhaven
File:Summerhaven,_Cookie_Cabin.jpg|Summerhaven, Cookie Cabin
File:(140) Mountlemmonobservatory.JPG|View of the telescopes on Mount Lemmon
File:(140) Mountlemmonobservatory.JPG|View of the telescopes on Mount Lemmon
File:Oracle AZ Mt Lemmon.JPG|View of Mount Lemmon from Oracle, AZ
File:Oracle AZ Mt Lemmon.JPG|View of Mount Lemmon from Oracle, AZ
File:Backside.jpg|Unpaved road on the north or "backside" of Mount Lemmon
File:SkyIslandPkwy.JPG|Catalina Highway climbing Mount Lemmon
File:Stereograph_-Mount_Lemmon_Highway.jpg|Stereograph of the Mt Lemmon Highway near Windy Point Vista.
</gallery>
</gallery>

==Other names==
The peak is called ({{lang-ood|'''Babad Doʼag'''}}) but this is not widely known or used other then a few people.


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{US prominent|state=collapsed}}
{{US prominent|state=collapsed}}
{{Mountains of Arizona}}
{{Mountains of Arizona}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Santa Catalina Mountains]]
[[Category:Santa Catalina Mountains]]

Latest revision as of 22:42, 24 March 2024

Mount Lemmon
View of Mount Lemmon from the western side of
Highest point
Elevation9,171 ft (2,795 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence5,157 ft (1,572 m)[2]
Listing
Coordinates32°26′35″N 110°47′19″W / 32.442961983°N 110.788478444°W / 32.442961983; -110.788478444[1]
Geography
Mount Lemmon is located in Arizona
Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon
LocationTucson, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.
Parent rangeSanta Catalina Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Mount Lemmon
Climbing
Easiest routeCatalina Highway

Mount Lemmon, with a summit elevation of 9,159 feet (2,792 m),[1] is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Mount Lemmon was named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and E. O. Stratton, a local rancher, by horse and foot in 1881.[4][5] Mount Lemmon is also known as Babad Do'ag, or Frog Mountain[6] to the Tohono O'odham.

Geography[edit]

Climate[edit]

Due to the elevation change from the bottom to the top, the summit of the mountain can be 20–30°F cooler than the base. It usually sees at least one snowfall during the winter months, making it a cool escape and popular tourist attraction for Tucson inhabitants.

Geology[edit]

Mount Lemmon is made up of Bolsa Quartzite, Dripping Spring Quartzite, and a local sandstone and conglomerate. The portions have been intruded by a Diabase Dike of the Apace Group.[7]

Summerhaven[edit]

Summerhaven, Cookie Cabin

Summerhaven is a small town near the top of the mountain. It is a summer residence for many, but there are some year-round residents. There are many small cabins, most of which were rebuilt after the Aspen Fire of July 2003.[8]

Climate data for Mount Lemmon, Arizona (1958–2009)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 65
(18) 		65
(18) 		68
(20) 		74
(23) 		82
(28) 		91
(33) 		89
(32) 		82
(28) 		81
(27) 		76
(24) 		71
(22) 		65
(18) 		91
(33)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 49.2
(9.6) 		48.3
(9.1) 		52.9
(11.6) 		60.8
(16.0) 		69.1
(20.6) 		76.4
(24.7) 		76.5
(24.7) 		73.6
(23.1) 		70.4
(21.3) 		61.7
(16.5) 		56.3
(13.5) 		50.6
(10.3) 		62.2
(16.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 22.8
(−5.1) 		21.8
(−5.7) 		25.7
(−3.5) 		31.7
(−0.2) 		36.6
(2.6) 		44.4
(6.9) 		49.8
(9.9) 		49.8
(9.9) 		45.1
(7.3) 		36.4
(2.4) 		29.7
(−1.3) 		24.3
(−4.3) 		34.8
(1.6)
Record low °F (°C) −4
(−20) 		−7
(−22) 		−1
(−18) 		19
(−7) 		27
(−3) 		32
(0) 		39
(4) 		42
(6) 		31
(−1) 		20
(−7) 		4
(−16) 		4
(−16) 		−7
(−22)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.15
(80) 		1.69
(43) 		1.17
(30) 		0.50
(13) 		0.42
(11) 		0.62
(16) 		4.41
(112) 		7.00
(178) 		3.39
(86) 		3.04
(77) 		2.95
(75) 		2.60
(66) 		30.94
(787)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 16.5
(42) 		20.4
(52) 		6.8
(17) 		2.0
(5.1) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		2.0
(5.1) 		6.2
(16) 		11.0
(28) 		64.9
(165)
Average precipitation days 5 5 5 3 2 2 10 11 5 3 3 5 59
Mean monthly sunshine hours 241 243 299 325 374 372 327 319 315 301 260 242 3,618
Source: Western Region Climate Center [9]

Mount Lemmon Station Observatory[edit]

Main article: Mount Lemmon Observatory

At the peak is the Mount Lemmon Observatory, which was formerly the site of a USAF radar base of the Air Defense Command,[10] and the building that formerly housed a military emergency radar tracking station for landing the Space Shuttle at White Sands Missile Range. Although the United States military had a presence on the mountain for several decades all their facilities have been abandoned and were given to the United States Forest Service. The area and buildings that makes up the Mount Lemmon Station Observatory are leased from the Forest Service by the University of Arizona. The telescopes on the mountain are still used for astronomical research today by organizations such as the Catalina Sky Survey, the Mount Lemmon Sky Center,[11] the University of Arizona Astronomy Camp program,[12] the University of Arizona, and the University of Minnesota. The educational resources at the top of the mountain make it a unique research and teaching destination.

Catalina Highway[edit]

Catalina Highway in the Santa Catalina Mountains

The Catalina Highway, also called the Mount Lemmon Highway, as well as the Hitchcock Highway (after Frank Harris Hitchcock), runs up the Santa Catalina Mountains from the east side of Tucson up to Summerhaven, at the top of Mt. Lemmon. The beautiful, curving road is a favorite drive for tourists, for locals escaping summer's heat and cyclists, and has been recently designated as the Sky Island Parkway, part of the US National Scenic Byway system.[13]

2010 saw the inaugural running of the Mount Lemmon Marathon.[14]

Fees and permits[edit]

Catalina Highway charges tolls for parking, camping, and hiking. However, the tolls are only officially charged for people who are camping. Tolls for other events, such as hiking, parking, or grilling, are a part of the honor system. Park rangers will not check for toll payments unless someone is using the park campgrounds. Anyone wishing to sightsee or travel to Summerhaven are not subjected to paying tolls.[citation needed]

View from Windy Point Visa while ascending Mt. Lemmon

Back side[edit]

An unpaved road to the summit on the north side of Mount Lemmon starts in Oracle, which is on Arizona Route 77 north of Tucson. It offers a secondary route to the top. This route is popular with off-road 4x4 drivers and with off-road or dual-purpose motorcyclists. This road ends at the Catalina Highway near Loma Linda. Before the Catalina Highway was built it was the only route up the mountain.[15]

  • Hoodoos, Santa Catalina Mountains
    Hoodoos, Santa Catalina Mountains
  • Remnants of the 2003 Aspen Fire
    Remnants of the 2003 Aspen Fire
  • Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
    Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
  • Cabins atop Mt Lemmon in Summerhaven
    Cabins atop Mt Lemmon in Summerhaven
  • View of the telescopes on Mount Lemmon
    View of the telescopes on Mount Lemmon
  • View of Mount Lemmon from Oracle, AZ
    View of Mount Lemmon from Oracle, AZ
  • Unpaved road on the north or "backside" of Mount Lemmon
    Unpaved road on the north or "backside" of Mount Lemmon
  • Catalina Highway climbing Mount Lemmon
    Catalina Highway climbing Mount Lemmon
  • Stereograph of the Mt Lemmon Highway near Windy Point Vista.
    Stereograph of the Mt Lemmon Highway near Windy Point Vista.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Catalina 2 Reset". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  2. ^ "Mount Lemmon, Arizona". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  3. ^ "Arizona County High Points". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "California Beat Hero: Sara Plummer Lemmon". CaliforniaBeat.org. May 27, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  5. ^ Lemmon, J.G. (1881). "A botanical wedding trip" (PDF). Californian vol. 5. no. 24. pp. 517–525. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "How did Mt. Lemmon Get Its Name?". SouthernArizonaGuide.com. July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Bezy, John V. (2016). A Guide to the Geology of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona: The Geology and Life Zones of a Madrean Sky Island (PDF) (Down to Earth #22 ed.). Tucson, AZ: The Arizona Geological Survey. ISBN 978-0-9854798-2-4. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  8. ^ Faherty, John. "Town of Summerhaven back after devastating fire". AZ Central. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  9. ^ "Mount Lemmon, Arizona Climate Summary". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  10. ^ "Air Defense Radar Stations". Radomes Inc. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  11. ^ "SkyCenter". University of Arizona. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  12. ^ "Astronomy Camp". University of Arizona SkyCenter. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  13. ^ "Name change to Sky Island Parkway". Arizona Dept. of Transportation. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  14. ^ Lacey, Marc (October 17, 2010). "A Finish Line With a Real High: 8,000 Feet". New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  15. ^ "Backway to Mount Lemmon". Trails.com. Retrieved August 28, 2012.

External links[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Santa Catalina Mountains.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mount Lemmon.
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