- Join Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists as we explore different trails on Mt. Lemmon. Exercise both bodies and brains in one (or more) of the eight biomes as we discover the flora and fauna and learn the history that makes the Santa Catalina Mountains so special.
- All hikes meet the hike leaders at 9:00 a.m. at the indicated trailhead for each hike. Hikers who do not wish to drive to the trailhead may meet no later than 7:50 a.m. at Tanque Verde and Catalina Highway, in the parking lot a few rows out from McDonald’s, for carpooling or caravanning to the trailhead. This is a peer-organized carpool, not a naturalist-organized carpool. Please leave the parking lot promptly at 8:00 a.m. to arrive at the trailhead on time. Contact Cathy at cathyyungbluth@gmail.com with any questions.
- We plan to be finished by 1 p.m., but actual return times will vary. Allow 1 hour driving time to reach some trailheads.
- Hikes are free and guided, with no reservations required. Forest Service parking fees apply at trailheads ($8 day pass or an appropriate Interagency Pass).
- These are nature discovery hikes, not “destination” hikes. The pace will be fairly slow, but good fitness is required for hiking at higher elevations. Please read the hike descriptions and know your limits.
- Bring plenty of water, a snack, and lunch for longer hikes.
- Wear hiking boots or supportive shoes, and dress in layers for the unpredictable mountain weather. Bring binoculars if you have them. Hiking poles may be helpful.
- No dogs, no smoking. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Cell phones for emergency only.
- Subject to last minute cancellation due to inclement weather or road closure. For the status of a hike, call Catalina Highway closure information at 520-547-7510 or email Cathy at the address below.
- Contact cathyyungbluth@gmail.com with questions.
| Date | Destination | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 26 | Lemmon Meadow Loop. Meet at the lot near the observatory at the top of Ski Hill Run Road. Ski Run Road is just before you get to Summerhaven, around milepost 25. Bathrooms available. | 2-mile loop with about a 300-foot elevation change. Easy hike. |
| Nov 2 | Aspen Draw Trail. Meet at Ski Valley parking, milepost 24.9. | 3 miles out and back, with 700 feet of elevation change. We will hike from Ski Valley up to Radio Ridge. Moderate/hard. |
| Nov 9 | Marshall Gulch and Lower Aspen Loop. Meet at the Marshall Gulch Trailhead, milepost 25.5. Bathroom at trailhead. | 4-mile loop, with about a 750-foot elevation change. Moderate hike. |
| Nov 16 | Butterfly Trail. Meet at Butterfly trailhead, milepost 22.5. Bathroom at trailhead. | 2.5-mile hike out and back, with about a 750-foot elevation change. Rocky, narrow trail. Moderate. |
| Nov 23 | Palisades Trail. Meet at Palisades Visitor Center, milepost 19.6. Bathroom available across the street at the Bigelow Trailhead. | 3.0-mile hike. We will walk along Organization Ridge Road to the Palisades Trail, do 1 mile on the trail, then return to the start. About 500 feet of elevation change. The trail is narrow, rocky, and overgrown in spots. Easy/moderate. |
| Nov 30 | Incinerator Ridge to Leopold Point. Meet at the top of Incinerator Ridge Road, milepost 19.2; this is a rough road for driving, and there is limited parking. No bathroom. | 2.5-mile hike out and back, with about a 250-foot elevation change. We will hike Incinerator Ridge to the overlook at Leopold Point, a rocky outcrop overlooking the San Pedro Valley. This is an easy to moderate hike, with the short trek up to Leopold Point on a less defined trail with mild scrambling. |
| Dec 7 | Rose Canyon Lake to Munchkinland Trail. Meet at the parking lot just past the entrance to Rose Canyon Lake, milepost 17. There is no bathroom at the parking lot; there may be an open bathroom in the campground. | 4 miles out and back, with about 400 feet of elevation change. We will hike through the campground (closed for the season) to the lake, then go to the Munchkinland Overlook. Moderate hike on mostly paved campground road; the Munchkinland trail is rocky and poorly defined. |
| Dec 14 | Gordon Hirabayashi and Sycamore Reservoir. Meet at the farthest parking lot at Gordon Hirabayashi (Prison Camp), milepost 17. Bathroom at trailhead. | 5 miles out and back, with about 1000 feet of elevation change. We will hike from the campground, up to Shreve Saddle, then down to Sycamore Reservoir. On the way back, we can take a quick side trip to a small waterfall (if water is flowing). Trail is very rocky in places. Moderate/hard. |
| Dec 21 | Lower Bug Springs to rocky overlook. Meet at Lower Bug Springs trailhead parking, milepost 7.7. No bathroom at trailhead, but there is one at the nearby Gordon Hirabayashi trailhead. | 5-mile hike with about a 1000-foot elevation change. We will hike from the trailhead to a rocky overlook and back on a well-traveled trail. Moderate/hard. |
| Dec 28 | Molino Basin toward Prison Camp. Meet at Molino Basin, milepost 5.6. Bathroom at trailhead. | 4 miles up and back, with about a 600-foot elevation change. We will hike through the campground to the trail, then as far as the Gordon Hirabayashi trailhead and back. Moderate. |