Mt Lemmon, March 23, 2013

Today, we drove to Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains..  We have seen the far distant Mt Lemmon peak covered with snow from Oro Valley .  We went to see all that can be seen driving from the Tucson elevation 2000 to 8000 feet.

We shared the road with many, many bikers.  I can't imagine what kind of excellent shape you must be in the bike UP this road, and then maintain control rushing down.  If anyone needs to train for the Tour de France,  I recommend Mt Lemmon, Tucson, AZ

The mountain range is so massive.  You can see the road we'll wind around up ahead 

 Our first observation stop is Molino Canyon Vista.  Have to come back sometime and hike that trail

Our next stop was the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site.  This was actually a prison site for WWII conscientious objectors and other minor criminals.  Mr Hirabayashi, an American citizen born to Japanese parents, was sent here for repeatedly breaking the curfew imposed on Japanese Americans who were thought to be a threat to American security after Pearl Harbor.  He sued the government for this injustice and finally won his case.  In 1987, this area was named for him.        

This site is incredibly remote.  It was an "Honor" prison.  There were no fences, only rocks painted white to indicate how far a prisoner could go.  What a place to put a prison. 

 This is a picture of Thimble Peak.  I took a picture from the other side when we were at Sabino Canyon

 This stop is called the Seven Cataracts view.  Not sure why since geographically, cataracts refer to large water falls.  Pretty impressive rocky out cropping.

 You may not be able to see it, but there is a tiny stream flowing down this slope.

 Mt Lemmon is considered one of Southern Arizona's "Sky Islands."    It is hard to imagine an inland ocean that covered all this land until you see these water smoothed rocks and the layers of different rocks that compose these mountain sides.

On our way up, there was a person on the top of this stone column.  She had used ropes to climb up.  I'd call this quite a rock wall climb.

More incredible views.  Remember I'm flatlander.    

We are now at 7850 ft and the mountain is covered with pine trees

 

 Civilization - must have communication!!

 Lovely place for a picnic

There are many warnings about bears.  Here's the bear proof garbage container.

I think we are really on top of the world!!

 From the Sonoran Desert to a Ski Resort

 Still snow from on the mountain, but not enough to ski on

"Clarence", the Ski Lift was working in case anyone wanted a ride up and down the ski slope.  It was 49 degrees and very windy.  We decided to just take pictures.

A putting green for the non skiers

We were really surprised to see the fire damage from the 2003 fire.  300 buildings were lost including the entire town of Marshall Gulch.  These new buildings have no landscaping around them.  Some look like very nice homes.  The burnt mountain sides are a scary reminder of a terrible fire.  

Heading down the mountain

Back down to the desert level

This was a great drive, not too scary.  The roads were wide enough for traffic in both directions and room for the bikers.  We'll come back again next year.