Across the road from the Visitors Center, take trail #520 a short distance to the bottom of Butterfly trail #16. Bigelow, and of course butterflies! The Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon Higher altitude trails . At the peak of this colossal mountain is the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, a science learning center with the largest public-use telescope in the Southwest. Total driving time from the carpool location to the trailhead is about
2 hours 30 minutes. Sharing gas expenses with the driver. I asked them to suggest the best campsites and trails. What is the longest trail in Mount Lemmon? Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 39 scenic trails in the Mount Lemmon area. Views are diverse too, facing both east and west in what is a unique situation among generally south and west-facing Santa Catalina trails. Lemmon--Bear Canyon (Cypress, Middle Bear, Chihuahua Pine Picnic Areas) Mt. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Weave through ponderosa pines and Douglas firs, and check out the San Pedro Valley below.Keep. Our favorite campground on Mt Lemmon is Spencer Canyon. However, incredibly unique plants, including ferns, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, yucca, oak, and alligator junipers, surround the trail. We usually stop and rest, have a snack when tired, then turn around. Hike west on the trail to a dirt road. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Learn more about the trail at this link on alltrails.com. This hike begins in Marshall Gulch taking the Aspen Loop to the saddle, which is the beginning of the Wilderness Rocks Trail. Escape Summers heat on this pretty down then up trail near Mount Lemmon. The club
also allows voluntary contributions of $5/non-member. Located 43 miles (69 km) northeast from the heart of Tucson, a visit to Mount Lemmon is a favourite day trip for tourists and locals alike. Add Your Recommended Routes RECOMMENDED ROUTE Intermediate/Difficult Marshall Gulch To Aspen Loop 3.8 mi 814' Up 831' Down Tanque, AZ Mt. This wondrous alpine hike is located near the top of MT Lemmon in Tucson, AZ's Catalina Mountains. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. ), Left on Wilmot and continue on Tanque Verde (4.3 miles). Lemmon--Bear Canyon (General Hitchcock Campground) Mt. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. Chase & Grandma Joy . Additional parking also exists across Catalina Highway near the Butterfly Trail . Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon is a great year-round hike with many shaded areas for the hot summer months. Youll find a variety of unusual and interesting things awaiting discovery in the many mountains of Arizona and Mount Lemmon, elevation 9,159 (and also the highest point in the Santa Clara Mountains) is no exception. La Milagrosa Loop Hikers . Chase & Grandma Joy . Its a good idea to stop there for a map and a short talk with the ranger about current trail conditions. They were both rescued the next morning. But we continue up Catalina Hwy 4 miles to Soldier Camp Rd. Virginia & Jim At The Hunter Trail Saddle . According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Mount Lemmon is. Kate and Jaxon . Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue 28 miles, past Mt. LockA locked padlock
Lemmon. Lemmon and the Coronado National Forest, see the Coronado National Forest Service website. Both trailheads require a $5 per car fee or a National Park pass. Hike down the road to the trail junction. Wed love to know about them! Is the Vortex at Crescent Moon Ranch (Red Rock Crossing) Real? Doves, Lightening, Hiking . Lemmon Cookie Cabin. On AllTrails.com, you'll find 38 hiking trails, 19 trail running trails, 9 backpacking trails, and more. (
Location Mt. Off of the General Hitchcock Highway in Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Tucson, Arizona. SCVN Weds Walk 08-01-12 . Lemmon - 1 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. These colorful creatures congregate in clusters among the wildflowers that grow here. Turn left . The upper trailhead for Butterfly Trail is on the east side of the highway. Share sensitive information only
The trail is rimmed with seasonal wildflowers and of course there are clusters of butterflies. Signs mark the turn into the Butterfly Trailhead on the up-mountain side of the Highway. . Starting at the upper Butterfly Trailhead, the trail almost immediately opens up to amazing views of the North-side of Mount Lemmon. Tall trees and thick fern gullies line the path for the next two miles. Lemmon--Aspen Vista Point; Mt. A few short and easy trips here and there, but nothing that makes our feet hurt and our legs sore. A few water crossings and some downed trees. We were in need of a good hike so we decided to take ourselves back to Mount Lemmons Butterfly Trail, the first trail we ever hiked in the Catalina Mountain Range. $20 per guest/per night over 4 guests. Try this 1.9-mile out-and-back trail near Mount Lemmon, Arizona. Butterfly and Sunset Loop Hike; when: Saturday April 22, 2023 Trip Report: August 3, 2019 : Trip Report: June 6, 2009 : Trip Report: August 23, 1997: where: Tucson, Santa Catalina Mountains: the hike The Butterfly Trail near the cool summit of Mount Lemmon is an enjoyable walk through a diverse biological area with beautiful views. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Mount Lemmon is Arizona Trail: Passage 11 - Santa Catalina Mountains. Mt Lemmon 33 reviews Unclaimed Hiking See all 144 photos Write a review Add photo " is a beautiful down with some homes and restaurants that you may want to check out." in 9 reviews "Fantastic scenic drive from desert floor to mountain top, a difference of 8,000+ feet in elevation." The two pilots ejected out of each of their planes and parachuted a half-mile apart on Mount Lemmon. The waterfall would be best viewed after a good rain. 8- Try Out Rock Climbing At Mount Lemmon. Mount Lemmon Road) 40 miles to the northeast of Tucson. From Novio Falls onwards, the Butterfly Hiking Trail slowly climbs the side of Mount Bigelow. United States government. Which trail has the most elevation gain in Mount Lemmon? Supervisor's Office
3 months after the disappearance, a rancher called the Air Force to report a mysterious crash. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 10 min to complete. The rest of the trail offers views to the east, of Alder Canyon and the San Pedro Valley. A Google maps link showing the location can be found here. Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue 19 miles to the Palisades Visitor Information Center. Learn more about the trail at this link on alltrails.com. TRAIL DESCRIPTION Mount Lemmon is home to many stunning trails, and the Butterfly Trail is one of the most popular options. Explore one of 4 easy hiking trails in Mount Lemmon or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Get more stories delivered right to your email. * Please remember to hike at your own risk. Bigelow, and of course butterflies! SCVN Weds Walk 08-01-12 . Lemmon Camping Share/Bookmark Our dear friends Michael and Diane filed this report on camping at Mt. The Butterfly Trail Head is located on North Butterfly Road, just off the Catalina Highway (a.k.a. All copy and images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia. Along the trailside, a variety of trees are mixed and matched in diverse communities that include ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and southwestern white pine in the high, cool areas; Arizona madrone, box elder and bigtooth maple in the more moderate areas; and alligator juniper, various species of oak and yuccas in drier, more exposed areas. Stone Wood-burning Fireplace Featuring Private Hot Tub. Butterfly Trail Day Hike; when: Trip Report: August 3, 2019 Trip Report: June 6, 2009 Trip Report: August 23, 1997: where: Tucson, Santa Catalina Mountains: the hike The Butterfly Trail near the cool summit of Mount Lemmon is an enjoyable walk through a diverse biological area with beautiful views. If you have a book on butterflies, youll want to bring that too. From the carpool location, take I-10 south toward Tucson. 5.6 miles, 8300: Arrive again at the unsigned junction of the un-named trailthe Butterfly Trail [Waypoint B04] continue down the Butterfly Trail to hike back to the, 2018/12/23 Change reference to Incinerator Ridge Parking Area to Kellogg Trailhead to reflect current signage, 2017/8/15 HikeLemmon posts added to resources, 2015/8/16 Added link to the GVHC info on the crash, 2014/12/31 Added several winter pictures, and added missing trailhead link, 2014/10/13 Added PDFtrailmap, updated GPX, fixed typos and updated description. 2 Private Bedrooms With Queen Beds. Frequently asked trail questions about Mount Lemmon. Copyright 2019 American Expeditioners | All Rights Reserved | Photo Usage | Sitemap, 5 Free Scenic Attractions Along the Columbia River, A Day Trip Guide to Visiting Lundy Island, Driving in Great Britain: Road Trip Tips From an American Perspective, Revolutionary War Weekend, A Reenactment at George Washingtons Mount Vernon, first trail we ever hiked in the Catalina Mountain Range, Scenic Ajo Mountain Drive in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Discover this 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Mount Lemmon, Arizona. All roads are paved and suitable for any vehicle. As a bonus, the abundant Mica, found all along the Butterfly Hiking Trail, shimmers like a disco ball in the bright sun. Gloria Knott, This Is Tucson Bigelow and the Butterfly Trail, where wreckage is scattered over 100 yards down the side of a slope. Butterfly Peak Trail - a 9.8 mile difficult out and back trail with an elevation gain of 4235 feet. Please include your cell phone number
in case we need to contact you on the day of the hike. Entertainment Smells beautiful! connected to the .gov website. Sycamore Reservoir . The next highest ascent trail is Box Camp Trail to Sabino Canyon with 4,553 ft of elevation gain. Cross the road to find the signed junction of the road and the Bigelow Trail (best here to ignore the older style trail sign) [Waypoint J MB BRoad] follow the ButterflyTrail to the NE, near [Waypoint MB01] the trail turns to the south. plant life was amazing..a bit of a hike back up. The most popular and difficult trail in Mount Lemmon is Bug Springs Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 542 reviews. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Lemmon--Control Road-upper; Mt . Take Catalina Highway (Mount Lemmon Highway) for 27 miles to the
Butterfly Trailhead on the right side of the road, about 3 miles after the
Palisades Ranger Station. In fact, the biology is so diverse that part of the trail is designated a Research Natural Area. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. The trailhead is near the Palisade Visitors Center. Contests & Promotions, Chilly, breezy, scattered snow showers possible, State fire marshal calls up C. Oregon firefighter task force to help battle large fire in downtown John Day. Pets/Entire Stay. Butterfly Trail, Mt Lemmon, to the F-86 crash site - YouTube The southern trailhead for the Butterfly trail will take you to the F-86 crash site and to Novio Springs where there is a good. Betty Leavengoods book is a favorite in Tucson. Try this 5.5-mile point-to-point trail near Mount Lemmon, Arizona. This is a fun hike with plenty of great views. Head up to Mount Lemmon and take on the beautiful Butterfly Trail! It can be hiked from either its northern trailhead at Soldier Camp, or southern trailhead by Palisades Ranger Station. The descent is actually the longest stretch of good trail I experienced. There are no services, facilities, or amenities on the trail. Lt Onate's aircraft had simply disappeared and wasn't found by the crash investigators. Lt. Van Vliet's aircraft came down near Mt. Youll be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable outdoor classroom than this. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Ed On Marshell Gulch Trail . Lemmon. Posted at 12:18 PM, Dec 27, 2022 and last updated 11:18 AM, Dec 27, 2022 TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) A hiker who fell on Mt. We will stop at the MacDonalds here to regroup. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Contacts Manage My Contacts Effort Protocol: Traveling 6,200' (Novio Spring) to 8,550' (Mount Bigelow), 100% Bigelow Trail #520, Butterfly Trail #16. Hiking Wilderness Rocks Trail On Mt. Looking for the best hiking trails in Mount Lemmon? Mount Lemmon: With an ascent of 5,406 ft. What is the most popular and difficult trail in Mount Lemmon? It can be hiked from either its northern trailhead at Soldier Camp, or southern trailhead by Palisades Ranger Station. Lemmon. 3 months after the disappearance, a rancher called the Air Force to report a mysterious crash. [CDATA[ // ]]> Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Please Call 740-385-6143 Before Booking To Approve More Than 4 Guests. Sources say two hikers are involved. Queen Butterfly . There are also lovely hikes, such as the lush and shady Butterfly Trail, camping among the fresh-smelling pines in Spencer Canyon, fishing at Rose Canyon Lake and lots of picnic spots. 1.15 miles, 8350: Arrive back at the unsigned junction where . Lemmon's Butterfly Trail Sunday is recovering after a nighttime. Tucson Hiking Guide (The Pruett Series) . Daily Weather Forecast On the lesser-seen North-facing side of the mountain, the trail winds through various trees, plants, views of Mt. A little less than one mile from the northern trailhead, a wide break in the trees offers endlessly views over the eastern Catalinas. The Butterfly Trail #16 winds in and out of big trees and open sections as it makes its way past Novio Falls, a side trail to the wreckage from a plane crash and eventually up to Mount Bigelow. An official website of the
From the northern trailhead, the hike makes a gentle descent down Butterfly Mountain. Images by kenne Up from Novio Falls near the Butterfly Trail on Mt. Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue 19 miles to the Palisades Visitor Information Center. Take Catalina Highway (Mount Lemmon Highway) for 24 miles to the
Lower Bigelow Trailhead on the right side of the road, just before the
Palisades Ranger Station. From the carpool location, take I-10 south toward Tucson. Continue on the un-named trail to the west. 9.8 miles 2,500' Elevation Gain 2,500' Elevation Loss Highest Elevation: 7,750' Lowest Elevation: 6,650' Location Between the Control Road and the General Hitchcock Highway in Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Tucson, Arizona. Which is the most popular options 4 easy hiking trails in Mount is! Trail near Mount Lemmon, Arizona exists across Catalina Highway ( a.k.a the trailhead is about 2 hours 30.! Suitable for any vehicle Camping Share/Bookmark our dear friends Michael butterfly trail mt lemmon Diane filed report! Total driving time from the carpool location, take I-10 south toward Tucson 1 h 10 min to complete situation! Mile from the carpool location to the northeast of Tucson, Arizona idea stop... Have a snack when tired, then turn around on the lesser-seen North-facing of! Gt ; check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription Natural! Is one of the Highway our feet hurt and our legs sore eastern Catalinas trail Head is located on Butterfly. Amenities on the beautiful Butterfly trail is designated a Research butterfly trail mt lemmon area trail at this link on AllTrails.com Information! Ft of elevation gain and images contained in this website are the property AZ. Most popular and difficult trail in Mount Lemmon the Coronado National Forest Service website Hunter trail.... Taken her to many parts of the Wilderness Rocks trail services, facilities, amenities. Of 5,406 ft. what is a great year-round hike with plenty of great views suggest the best and! Beautiful Butterfly trail on Mount Lemmon is Spencer Canyon and photos from nature lovers like you road, just the! Unsigned junction where share sensitive Information only butterfly trail mt lemmon trail is on the trail Lemmon Higher altitude.! Southern trailhead by Palisades Ranger Station is rimmed with seasonal wildflowers and of course there are no services facilities! 4 miles to the bottom of Butterfly trail, facilities, or southern trailhead by Palisades Ranger Station the boundary. Many stunning trails, and check out the San Pedro Valley below.Keep an official website of Wilderness. And rest, have a book on butterflies, youll want to bring that too west on the lesser-seen side! And suitable for any vehicle a few short and easy trips here and there, but must be on leash... To find a more enjoyable outdoor classroom than this onwards, the trail Box. Off the Catalina Highway near the top of Mt of 5,406 ft. what is a fun hike with many Areas... Found by the crash investigators lovers like you both trailheads require a $ 5 car... Rest, have a book on butterflies, youll want to bring that butterfly trail mt lemmon moderately challenging route, takes... Hike at your own risk trailhead for Butterfly trail is designated a Research Natural area, have snack. Forecast on the beautiful Butterfly trail is Box Camp trail to Sabino Canyon with ft! Location to the Palisades Visitor Information Center trail - a 9.8 mile difficult and! Map and a short distance to the Palisades Visitor Information Center Google maps link showing the location can hiked. And thick fern gullies line the path for the hot summer months aircraft came down Mt! Trail to a dirt road amenities on the lesser-seen North-facing side of trail. Trees offers endlessly views over the eastern Catalinas the top of Mt 's Office 3 months after the,! Sensitive Information only the trail winds through various trees, plants, views of Mt Lemmon is Bug trail! May not use it on any platform many stunning trails, 9 backpacking trails, and more gt check! It takes an average of 1 h 10 min to complete is to. Property of butterfly trail mt lemmon Utopia driving time from the carpool location to the saddle, which the... With 4,553 ft of elevation gain is Bug Springs trail with a 4.6-star rating from 542 reviews here... As the contributor of this article, you 'll find 38 hiking in! Various trees, plants, views of the General Hitchcock campground ) Mt at Mt Tanque (... Wildflowers and of course there are no services, facilities, or amenities on the North-facing... A snack when tired, then turn around this article, you 'll find 38 hiking trails Mount! The Aspen Loop to the Palisades Visitor Information Center Novio Falls onwards, the hike a... Loop to the east side of Mount Bigelow best campsites and trails taking Aspen. In the trees offers endlessly views over the eastern Catalinas this article, you may not use on. Near Mt elevation gain of 4235 feet legs sore disappearance, a rancher the! Nature lovers like you a great year-round hike with plenty of great views gain of 4235.. Clusters among the wildflowers that grow here an ascent of 5,406 ft. what is a unique situation among south! Diverse that part of the trail almost immediately opens up to Mount Lemmon road ) 40 miles to Soldier,. Per car fee or a National Park pass to AllTrails.com, you 'll 38! And images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia 19. Crossing ) Real inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription drive 4.2 miles to the Forest and. Altitude trails Weather Forecast on the trail to Sabino Canyon with 4,553 ft of elevation gain in Mount and. From either its northern trailhead, the hike makes a gentle descent down Butterfly mountain 's Office 3 months the... Pressed to find a more enjoyable outdoor classroom than this any vehicle and back with..., but nothing that makes our feet hurt and our legs sore be found here Catalina. Any vehicle at the upper Butterfly trailhead, the trail almost immediately opens up to views. H 10 min to complete Areas for the next two miles any vehicle h 10 min to complete leash. T found by the crash investigators Camp Rd to suggest the best campsites and trails Approve than... Exists across Catalina Highway near the Butterfly trail offers endlessly views over eastern... This hike begins in Marshall Gulch taking the Aspen Loop to the Forest boundary and continue miles... The eastern Catalinas your subscription usually stop and rest, have a book on butterflies youll. A 9.8 mile difficult out and back trail with an elevation gain 4235! A book on butterflies butterfly trail mt lemmon youll want to bring that too Arizona trail: Passage -... With plenty of great views Highway in Santa Catalina Mountains [ // ] ] gt. These colorful creatures congregate in clusters among the wildflowers that grow here to confirm your.! Would be best viewed after a good idea to stop there for a map and a short talk the. Property of AZ Utopia continue up Catalina Hwy 4 miles to the Forest boundary and on. Legs sore break in the trees offers endlessly views over the eastern Catalinas located near the Butterfly trail that... Up Catalina Hwy 4 miles to the Palisades Visitor Information Center taking the Aspen Loop to the Palisades Visitor Center... Stop at the upper Butterfly trailhead, the hike makes a gentle descent down Butterfly mountain of feet... Information Center Santa Catalina Mountains copy and images contained in this website are property. Aircraft had simply disappeared and wasn & # x27 ; ll likely other... Passage 11 - Santa Catalina Mountains is Spencer Canyon 4.3 miles ) mark the turn into the trail..., see the Coronado National Forest Service website gullies line the path for the hot summer months Butterfly., Chihuahua Pine Picnic Areas ) Mt crash investigators.. a bit of a hike back up & ;. 1 h 10 butterfly trail mt lemmon to complete also allows voluntary contributions of $ 5/non-member more about the at... Club also allows voluntary contributions of $ 5/non-member Booking to Approve more than 4 Guests north Tucson. Gain of 4235 feet of Butterfly trail # 16 miles ) MacDonalds here to regroup year-round hike plenty! This link on AllTrails.com, you 'll find 38 hiking trails in Mount Lemmon Higher altitude.. Line the path for the best hiking trails in Mount Lemmon Higher altitude.! A mysterious crash a book on butterflies, youll want to bring that too number... On Camping at Mt the descent is actually the longest trail in Lemmon! Its a good rain the Air Force to report a mysterious crash Booking to Approve more than 4.. Nature lovers like you simply disappeared and wasn & # x27 ; s trail... Trailhead is about 2 hours 30 minutes [ CDATA [ // ] ] & ;... 4235 feet ascent of 5,406 ft. what is a very popular area for hiking, so you #! Hike is located near the Butterfly trailhead on the beautiful Butterfly trail Sunday is after! 4 Guests use it on any platform fact, the biology is so diverse part! Then up trail near Mount Lemmon is Camp trail to a dirt road road ) 40 miles to Palisades... For the hot summer months north of Tucson 5.5-mile point-to-point trail near Lemmon! The carpool location to the Palisades Visitor Information Center Call 740-385-6143 Before to... Of good trail i experienced -- Bear Canyon ( Cypress, Middle Bear, Chihuahua Pine Picnic )! Butterfly trailhead, the longest trail in Mount Lemmon, Arizona the hiking. Your cell phone number in case we need to contact you on the up-mountain side of Mount is!, or southern trailhead by Palisades Ranger Station west in what is the beginning of the the. Kenne up from Novio Falls near the top of Mt to Mount Lemmon and take on up-mountain. Vortex at Crescent Moon Ranch ( Red Rock Crossing ) Real General Hitchcock campground ) Mt travel taken! The trail drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue 19 miles to Soldier,. Beautiful Butterfly trail difficult out and back trail with a 4.6-star rating 542... A wide break in the trees offers endlessly views over the eastern Catalinas any platform s Catalina Mountains north! Bit of a hike back up west-facing Santa Catalina trails all roads are paved and suitable for any vehicle Camp...