Driving Up the Mt Lemmon Highway - The Most Scenic Road in the Southwest?
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- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2024
- The Santa Catalina Highway, otherwise known as the Mt. Lemmon Highway, the Sky Island Scenic Byway, and the General Hitchcock Highway, is said to be one of the most scenic drives in the Southwest. The road climbs from the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona to over 9,000 feet in elevation at the top of Mt. Lemmon, offering amazing views along the way.
When we started the day, there was an excessive heat warning in Tucson, with the temperature well over 100 degrees. As we climbed the mountain the temperature began to drop and it was around 30 degrees cooler by the time we got to the top.
Along the way we traveled through a number of different biological environments. They say the drive is equivalent to driving from Mexico to Canada in the type of environments you travel through along the 24 mile drive. We also check out the history of the road as we head up.
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I love your videos, thank you for being one of the few normal and friendly people posting on you tube!
Great statement.😊
I love them too!
Can’t get enough normal.
Since he is one of the few, I would consider him one of the abnormal people posting on youtube for exactly those reasons.
Yeah!!
Thanks Steve! Your vids are top-notch. No wasted time in the beginnings, no annoying sales pitches, no inappropriate pictures of unrelated subjects...just well-researched story telling and excellent quality production values. Your narration is clear, low-key and always interesting, and last but not least, your background music is beautiful, subtle and never overpowers your narration. You do everything right! You're a TouTube Treasure!
Thank you, I really appreciate it.
You gave 40% of 5.00 to RUclips. You gave him 3 bucks😂
Agreed! Great videos! 👍
Thanks Les, I couldn't of said it any better. Thanks again Steve.
@les Well said!
Thank you for visiting Tucson and our wonderful Mt. Lemmon. There are many many beautiful scenic drives in Arizona, but Mt. Lemmon is our refuge in the summer when the temps are actually 113F and in the winter when snow allows for skiing and winter sports.
@brkaz5864 Three of us from central Ohio rode our bikes to visit a buddy in Tucson in '74.
Cruised up Mt Lemon a couple times. We had so much fun in Tucson (and saddle sores) we didn't make it to Route 1 (Pacific coast hwy).
Oh yea, what was the name of the bar with carvings and cannons and aircraft?
I went to school in Tucson and became an avid climber. I spent hundreds of days on Mt Lemmon for the world class climbing. It truly is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges anywhere.
The last time I was on that road and atop Mt. Lemmon was during a family outing in 1958. Thanks for the memories!
What a trip!! I think that a LOT of your viewers will want to take this highway for the views and cooler temps!! Thank you!!
I love the reference “like being in Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦 “. My home province. The ski lift was slowed down for summer usage. Those attached chairs are old school slow. Most ski areas use high speed detachable chairs. Love your videos!
Looked like fun runs ,and hate those old chairs !😊
A lot of people have mentioned they slow them down in the summer. Good to know. I can't imagine waiting to ski and having to take such a long ride to start.
We used to drive up there all the time to get a cheese burger at the sawmill restaurant. Mount Graham next to Safford is much nicer, higher and with fewer people...
I'll have to check that out.
Totally agree. As great as the Catalinas are, Mt Graham is a whole other level of spectacular, although a couple hours further away from Tucson.
@@SidetrackAdventuresPlease do! Also, ever go up to the Kitt Peak Observatory?
In a country and world gone crazy your videos and narration are a welcome weekly respite. Thank you.
You said it, brother...sister...friend ?
To The Sidetrack Adventure Crew, Thanks for All You Do! 😊
Your videos 🎥 are sources of
history 🧑🎓 📚 ,
information 📈 📊 📖 , and
wonderful scenery 🏜️ 🗻 🏕️ 🚡 🏞️ 🌵 🌲 🌻 🌼 🪻 🍂 🌿 🌼 🌄 🌞 !
Special Thanks to Steve & his Wife for being an adventurous and exploring Husband & Wife who enrich the lives of their Children with such Great Trips! 😃
My gratitude to you, Sidetrack Adventures Crew, for bringing us along on the journeys, and inspiring us all to get out and explore! 😃🚶🧑🦽🧑🦼 🚙 🚗 🧳 🗺️
Thank you! My sweet home, Tucson. Mount Lemmon. Yes!! Those Mountains are special to me. Thankyouthankyou
Thankyou💐💛🌻💛
Our pleasure.
Thank you Steve, for another wonderful video. It's 2AM here and this video is so soothing for the sleepless like me.
Thank you for panning slowly. It makes for a very good time for your viewers.
You should have taken the dirt road that heads north and ends up in Oracle!
😆🫣
I really enjoy your videos. My Mom and Stepdad live in Tucson, and Mt Lemmon is a regular outing for them. She's 86, and he's 92. He drives to the top. There is a spot to park and walk, and that's what they do. I need to make it up there when I visit Tucson again. Thanks for the video.
Not only scenic, but a great example of how the vegetation changes with altitude.
I did this drive a few years ago and camped over night.
It was June and well over a 100 degrees in the valley.
However, up on the mountain it was in the mid 70’s.
Well worth the time spent taking the drive up.
Listening to the audio tour from the local college on the way up the mountain was real informative.
Everyone, when in the area should do it.
The audio tour is so good and reveals why this eco-zone is so important. Great mention!
I saw the signs for the audio tour but had no idea about it before hand. Wish I had known about it.
@@SidetrackAdventures
It made me think you were riding in the passenger seat.
Lol.
You missed the ol Air Force Base at the top, that the UofAz took over and now houses several telescopes ran by different universities/countries. Cool you got to hang out in our back yard. Thxs
Wow, Steve, that was beautful! I like that you took the ski lift. Reminded me of when I was about five years old and we rode one in New Mexico. Found out my mother was afraid of heights and she clutched me the whole time! Thanks for that memory.
My favorite thing to do is get my lunch out at work and let you take me in an adventure! Keep up the great work!!!
I recall back in 90s when I tried skiing, those slow chair lifts often had a strange aroma as it made it's way to the top! Think, Creech and Chong!
Thanks, Steve!
Had enough time to eat and down a beer too !
As a native Tucsonan, going up to Mt Lemmon was always a nice cool getaway when it's 115° in the city. And it only took us an hour and a half!
Your trips keep getting better and better. I travel vicariously theough Sidetrack Adventures. Never stop exploring.
Thanks. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
That's good to know Mr. Sidetrack Adventure Guy.
These drop every Wednesday during my lunch break. Perfect timing. Thanks!
I would really love to see an itinerary of place’s visited in the past,you know a chronological list of these amazing forgotten towns by which I would plan my adventures.
Great series Steve and of course your wife and son for being with you makes it that much more personal.
Brilliant editing videography and of course the calming narration.
Oh,and lest we forget the music,the perfect accompaniment to the whole daggum thing.
I had saved this video for a few days, for just the right moment to sit down and watch! That was an absolutely beautiful ride Steve! Thanks again for taking me all the places I can't go anymore!!
Wow! I love a pine forest and with that view. This place is outstanding. Thank you for showing it to us 👏. 👍☮️🌞🌲💖
I used to live in Tucson.
Every summer we would go up Mt. Lemmon, to a cabin near the lodge. We spent summers there?
It’s a beautiful ride, so much beauty to see. Thank you for choosing this on one of your videos. Be nice to see again, as I haven’t been up there since I got married in 1970, my husband and I went up there on our honeymoon. ❤
I’ve added Mt Lemmon to my AZ bucket list. It does look beautiful but the 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff will always be my favorite!😍
Thanks Steve! Love your videos and they are so well done. I have family who live in Vegas and am in the area a lot. Your videos always provide a wealth of ideas for fun things to check out in the great southwest when I'm out there, not to mention the historical knowledge you pass along. Thanks again and I cannot wait for the next video.
Thanks for the video ride!
I took my family to Mt. Lemmon in 1996. Due to road construction and a very active 6 year old, we turned back before reaching the summit. You're video filled in the missing details.🙂
Another great video, I have lived in AZ since 1960, driven by Mt Lemmon more times than a can remember now I will make a trip up there this year.
Even that old ski lift runs a lot faster during ski season. Don't forget on skies it is a lot easier to get off and on the lift than on foot.
Fascinating. As you are probably aware, trails on the Phoenix Mountain Parks (City of Phoenix) are closed on days of National Weather Service Excessive Heat Warnings since an ordinance was passed last year. If you ever come back this way between October through April, you should check out the trails at South Mountain Park from either the Telegraph Pass Trailhead or Pima Canyon Trailhead. There is also another trailhead from a dirt parking lot near South 17th Avenue and Chandler Blvd.
Such a pleasure to tour with you 🤩
We live in Vail, Az. Mt Lemmon has been our home away from home and a reprieve in the summer when it’s so hot in the valley. My husband and I go up 3-4 times a month to hike or we sometime es rent a cabin to enjoy some extended time on the mountain. We have hiked just about every trail the last 20 years. There are some wonderful thru hikes to do. The Arizona trail runs through 5he Mt Lemmon area. We are so very blessed to have Mt Lemmon so close to us. Just a hour drive and we are in pine tree filled cool country.
STEVE ! I agree with your wife. Spicy Chile on a hot day is just the thing! No kidding. I live in Florida and make several pots over the summer, LOTS of peppers!
This was a super video! Thanks!
It also means you don't have to sweat over a stove. Throw everything in the crockpot, go to work and come home to a ready meal.
I have been binge watching your videos and love the history of SoCal. Unfortunately, due to the crime issues in CA, I won't be visiting any time soon. I have been to SD and Hemet CA MANY moons ago when I was in the Military. Your videos are a breath of fresh air from all the nonsense going on around us. Thank you!
The view of Tucson lights at night from there would be stellar . Thank you Steve and Mrs. Steve 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Great video again Steve. Love watching them. Best wishes from England 🇬🇧 👍
My family and I went to Mt. Lemmon last year when there was still snow on the ground, we brought sleds and had a great time, I always recommend Mt. Lemmon to friends and family whenever they want to sight see over Tucson, AZ. Good video. THE SARGE
I'd love to head up there when there is still snow.
Oh wow! That was spectacular Steve! We were just in Tucson in early March (the weather was cool and great!) but had no idea about this scenic byway.....thanks to you it is for sure on my to do list for our next visit!
When I was stationed at Davis Monthan in 1999 we took the road up and then went wheeling down the back side and stumbled across the real life biodome on our drive back. Those were some good times.
I’ve driven that road since I could first legally drive in 1970. We spent many summer weeks there as teens. 👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for the ride. I live just a quarter mile from the highway and haven't been back up there since the tragic fire of 2003. It burned
again recently. Your photos of Summer Haven show what's left of the pine trees after the fires distroyed the town twice. All the tall pines trees and huge ferns seem to be gone now. There used to be a bakery that sold homemade pies back before the 2003 fire, maybe it's cookies now. I'll take a trip up there soon, now that I've seen your video.
I camped up there, had a beautiful unobstructed view of tucson and the surrounding deserts. Great place to escape the heat
Great video. We love visiting Mt. Lemmon! We've stayed at the Mt Lemmon hotel and give it two thumbs up. As for the speed of the ski lift, they move much quicker when transporting skiers. They slow it down for "scenic" rides. And you're right; the views along the highway and from the vistas/trails are stunning. If you ever get the chance, we recommend coming back at night for a visit to the observatory.
I drove up Mt Lemon road 20 years ago. I was stunned by the natural beauty all along the way. I saw many balancing rocks, much like the ones I used to see as a kid on the Road Runner cartoons. I was amazed at how the natural environment changed at each 1,000 foot point. It was January and there was a lot of snow at the top. I'm hoping I'll be able to return there someday and see it again.
Years ago when I moved to Tucson to go to school my grandfather came to visit and I took him up Mt Lemmon. He was a landscape architect, when he saw the sign at the bottom for the “Coronado National Forest “ he said “What forest, I don’t see a forest!” When we got to the top he “Wow, this is an impressive forest.”
I drove to Tucson from San Diego on a spur of the moment trip in March and drove to the cookie house on Mt Lemmon. There were patches of snow all over the place, and the plate-sized, warm oatmeal raisin cookie was just what the doctor ordered.
Great video.
I used to think Tucson was hotter than Phoenix, but then my neighbor, who has lived there, told me about the cooling effect of the mountains. Really beautiful scenery, and thank you for taking it slow and showing off the views. My first time on a ski lift (Big Bear, around 1983), my boyfriend and I were on our way up when I finally thought to ask how we were supposed to get off. "Does it stop for us?" I asked. "No," he said, "There's a little hill, and you just jump off and ski down it." :0
a friend of a friend was trying to tell me how beautiful the drive was...
thank you 😊
My wife and I drove up Mt. Lemmon in April 2018. Such beautiful views! Great video, thanks for sharing.
I’ve delivered building materials to Tucson in the mid 90’s. After watching this presentation I’m gonna pitch a driving trip to my Mrs. This by far is your best “driving “ video yet to date. U.S. 80 is real cool but this is just a bit nicer. I’ve logged over 3 million miles in a Semi, and have seen this & that, but this one is worthy of “an in person drive” . Greetings from S.central Tx …..😃
Was Stationed at Ft Huachuca by Sierra Vista in the early 80’s. I was always up in Tucson on the weekends. Drove up Mt Lemmon many times on my motorcycle. Great ride/road! Was featured also in the movie “The Wraith”!
Thanks Steve. Very informative. I´m from Europe, and we visited Tucson and did this same drive just a couple of months ago. There was a ton of snow and some skiers active. The temperature difference from the valley was incredible .. we found that our shorts and T-shirts didn't really cut it at the top!🥶
Glad you got to finally experience Mount Lemon Steve. I’m from Alberta and winter in Arizona. We ride our motorcycles up to Summerhaven usually about twice a season. One of my favourite drives/rides. It is indeed spectacular for the Southwest.
Great choice of locations. The southern and northern areas of AZ are amazing. Having lived and worked in beautiful Arizona, I have to laugh when they issue "Unusuallly excessive" heat warnings for normal summer temperatures. Arizona is a must see in the winter too. Beautiful!
Love that drive. Absolutely stunning!
Thanks! Especially liked this one. I'm originally from Tucson and always enjoyed taking a drive up Mt. Lemon.
Really enjoyed the video!! The American Southwest, beautiful part of the USA and LOVE those vistas and all the National Parks. Fantastic!!
I said "Wow!" the same time you did. BEAUTIFUL!!
I had no idea there was a mountain range in southern Arizona. Whenever I've been there, just out of common courtesy when I see a saguaro waving at me, I wave back. 🖐Thanks Steve. Happy Humpday. 🤠🐺
There are actually about a dozen beautiful mountain ranges in South Eastern Arizona. There's a lot more to Arizona than arid desert and cactus.🌵🙂
Tucson is surrounded by 5 mountain ranges all unique. They're known as Sky Islands due to the vast environmental differences from the desert.
I especially like the still shots within the videos. Thank you for taking us along for the ride.
Cannot thank you enough. Absolutely marvelous, as all of your videos have been.
Wow 😁! Thanks for staying here in Tucson, Arizona and making the Mt. Lemmon 🍋 drive! It's very cool.. literally and figuratively! I'm glad you got to get the cookies! They're excellent... Now all you need is to get here in the late fall/early winter and get the fantastic chili and sides from the Iron Door there in Ski Valley. Just to mention that the drive back down the Highway at night is incredible as well....there are a few pull offs that are "sheltered from the headlights. Everything is dark except for the lights of Tucson and Pima County spreading across the Valley floor below; East to West: Vail, Mt Wrightson, San Xavier Mission, The Tucson Mountains, and where Oracle Rd and the Rillito River Cross.
Just past Summerhaven in Marshall Gulch, there stands the last remaining stand of First Growth (The Oldest) Ponderosa Pines in the US. There are some Massive Trees in there.
On your way into Summerhaven, just outside of the town, you may have seen the sign for the "Oracle Control Road"... Its a USFS fire control road, AND that is the "original" road up the mountain out of the city of Oracle. You mentioned you were in the USArmy one time, and that road will require an All Terrain Vehicle to come up...full tracked, 4x4 or 6x6, with winch.. lololol 😆😆
Okay, a normal Jeep and 4x4 lol! There's a phone number to call and check passability and if it's been recently graded. THAT drive would truly be a "Sidetrack Adventure" to say the least!
Steve, Thanks to you and your family for sharing and stopping over here in Tucson! All of us who live/lived here and commented, really appreciate it!! Thank You So Much!!!
I hope you also get to try our fantastic Mexican Food we have here. It's the Best, Bar None! 😉😁
You drove right by my high school just before you started your climb up. I used to love camping up there, and Summerhaven was always a nice escape from the heat.
I live in Tucson. Thx for the height graph relative to atmospheric changes. Never knew those details
This video popped up and i just had to watch. In the early 70's ,after my tour of Vietnam, i came to live in Tucson and ended living up in Fair Haven. i worked for the then owner of the lodge clearing brush alone the powerlines. looks alot different now.
Great video as always! Thanks. Lots of great memories growing up in Tucson and spending many hours up there, motorcycles, jeeps and Boy Scouts👍
Thanks for the video. Now this is on my list to see when in the Tucson area.
Amazing.
I love that part of the state. So many memories at Summer Haven
Back when I lived in Phoenix 1982-1985 I rode my motorcycle to the top of a mountain south of Phoenix. Probably the same mountain range. It was quite a view.
The rock wall at that Hitchcock monument is actually new. It was to keep stuff from falling into the roadway. That tall thing with the plaque is a common climbing point for lead climbers. I've climbed it a few times myself. We always called it Hitchcock's thumb.
One of my favorite drives. Sad that the fires have changed the scenes from my memories. Thanks Steve and gooooo Pads
Definitely adding this to my list places to experience!
I went up Mt Lemmon years ago. What I found most unusual was as the desert plants changed to forest plants above cactus were growing under pine trees. Just unusual. Sabino Canyon is also nice.
I’m a Tucson bird photog and know this route quite well. Thank you for the feature & history on this iconic sky island drive.
Thank you for this video, I'll have to ride that road on my motorcycle sometime after August 🤣In 2003 I was working that fire over Summer Haven flying Air Attack in a red and white Beechcraft P-Baron on that fire, I remember the winds pushing the fires up the mountain into the town. Somewhere on VHS I have the tape of TV3 Bruce Haffner (the pilot) talking and filming us from his helicopter. It was a devastating fire for the town. I never saw a need to go back until now. Thank you.
As with most of your videos, I find myself looking up these places on a map to consider traveling there.
Many thanks for your efforts to share these great, interesting videos.
When I attended the University of Arizona, we took take this drive a few times, it was amazing the winters were great with the snow and skiing
Hi Steve, I still live in Tucson and love the drive up to Mt. Lemmon. It's an excellent old scenic route. I know you will mention the Rose Canyon Lake Recreation area. While my children were growing up, we often camped at the lake. Catch most Blue Gin or Sun Fish. It's nice to get away from the heat from below. I am surprised you did not even mention the Rose Canyon Lake area. Yes, there is a fee to enter. Many of those bare trees are from the big fire in 2003 called the Aspen Fire. We had smoke down in the city of Tucson for many days.
Don’t usually think of ski resorts in Arizona ha. But the southwest is so unique. Those are amazing rock formations and those Road Runner cactus ha.
I actually experienced a little vertigo at 17:11 when that rock in the foreground disappeared. What an awesome view! Thank you, Steve, for another fantastic video!
Thanks for showing me some place I never knew existed ...again.
Rode up there on my motorcycle a few years ago with my son and grandson. Definitely a beautiful ride.
By the way, l always enjoy seeing your videos.
I appreciate you researching the places that you go to. Also your audio is so consistently good, I thought it was added later.
I have been to Mt Lemmon. I seem to remember a pond. I was hoping to see it.
Another great feature Steve. Your work is among the best anywhere. Thank for the professionalism.
A wonderful trek to the Arizona highlands here, Steve. Thanks for sharing this outing......😎
Glad you enjoyed it
I've been on that road before many years ago, but I don't remember it much. Thanks for the drive, ti was beautiful and informative.
This was one of the roads I planned to drive and visit in my upcoming road trip in a few months. Thanks for the preview! While it looks scenic, I think it'll be just second behind the US 50 driving up from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe for me.
Now I want to vist Mt Lemmon! Thank you so much for your channel!
The lights in Tucson at night are way cool. We used to go to the end of 22nd street too. 1970s. Sabino Canyon hikes to "the Crack" to go swimming and jump off the rocks.
Thank you BOTH...I lived in Marana outside of Tucson for almost 3 years on a construction project..and NEVER made it to Mt. Lemmon...
There is always an excessive heat warning in AZ during the summer. Always enjoy your videos.
Beautiful. I live in the T or C, NM area and your trip up that mountain just made me desire to take a drive up into the Gila toward Silver City. Just far enough to be in the cool air for a day and be surrounded by pines. I forget how close that really is. Better get that done before a fire starts up there. Ruidoso is burning bad. It's a real disaster.
Added to my Bucket List!
We made the trek up the "north road" in March of 2022. Back then you needed clearance, we didn't use 4X4 mode. (Toyota FJ). Had lunch at the Cookie Cabin Pizzaria as well. Got the same cookie. Food is really good there! We drove down the south road. Amazing views, for sure!
Nice job on the video.
My son and I were trying to find a lake and accidentally veered off the main road to Mount Lemmon into the original burro trail. Thankfully, we were in a vehicle that had 4WD. A lightning storm came up quickly up there, and we tried to hurry down, although it was already dark by this time. We saw horses and a cow and her calf in that road, and some awesome views before dark.
Stay cool Steve...........I look forward to your weekly shows
I live in Tucson and have lived here for 58 years. I used to go to Mt. Lemon when I was a lot younger. Glad that you didn't take the road on the backside of Mt. Lemon, which you need a 4x4 to do so. Both sides are beautiful going up and coming down. Thank you for sharing Mt. Lemon.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to move to the area please?
@@WATCHMENONTHEWALL00 expect hot summers, descent winters, for some people might say there isn't anything to do but there are things to do and places to see. Just keep an open mind. I sometimes go back to places that I haven't been to for a long time and find new things that I haven't seen the last time that I was there.