Last Sunday we went up to Mount Lemmon which forms the northern limits of Tucson sprawl. Where the houses end, the Catalina National Forest begins. The drive to the top of the mountain at 9,000 + feet is really special.

At the top there are ski runs and lifts.

Thirty years ago when we lived in Tucson we would frequent the small restaurant at the top which was built in the 50s. When the temperature was in the 60s on the desert floor it would be snowy and 20s at the restaurant. We would come up here to have their special chili and corn bread in front of the roaring fire and it was refreshing to see that 30 years and the recent forest fires had not changed the restaurant.

The road to and from Mount Lemmon is a spectacular ride and one of Americas favorite byways. It is about 35 miles from where you enter the highway in the foothills to the summit. Tucson is about 1,800 feet above sea level so the difference of about 7,000 feet is pretty awesome. As you go up you go through many ecological zones ranging from the desert type of foliage all the way to pines and firs at the top.