Lots of freedom out here. Sometimes too much. If I haven’t said it before, after a long time in one place, one town, it takes some adjusting.
Managing expectations is one place to start. Personally, the pandemic has managed to prompt taking stock in what’s important. That being said, I’ve been getting in some really great hikes in the desert and this last one was no exception.
It was more of an adventure considering I had never done these trails before and had to figure out a jumping off point to stay overnight. Factor in the Weather (as usual), which meant a day and a half sitting out rain showers that could affect driving and hiking at an elevation around 9000 feet.
As hard as it was to wait and go, it was worth it because it was too exposed to want to add a cold and wet to the mix.
Microspikes were the ticket. Bet the skiing woulda been super.
I got up about five and drive from my parking spot in about 4000 feet to the base of Mount Lemmon ski area which was around 9000 feet. This gave me some time to have a good breakfast and consider what I needed for gear.
Unfortunately, when I had asked at the ranger station about this area they didn’t mention the upper Road section being closed. This would add at least 2 miles or more to the hiking loop.
The start would be alongside the ski area in snow with micro spikes. The conditions are pretty good and I didn’t sink in much. No post-holing.
Temps at the start were in the high 30s. It definitely would’ve been fun to have skis on my back, but that’s for another time.
Aspen Trail #93
It was pretty overcast and when I finally found a sign confirming the actual trail section I wanted to start at, it didn’t take long to get off route.
That point I knew I’d have to keep checking the GPS quite often. I’m used to well blazed trails in New Hampshire and this was not that. The fire about three years ago definitely change the landscape. Let my constant checking and correcting course let me feeling more confident in continuing the loop.
Route Finding
The varied forest and rock formations were quite different from the desert areas I had experienced weeks before at lower elevations in Tucson.
Recovering from the 2020 Fire
A new trail guardian. Everywhere… Name this plant.
Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail #12. 2,000 feet elevation gain in 2 miles.
Views south towards Tucson and beyond.
Steps leading to the fire tower.
In the end, it looks like it was about nine or 10 miles with a good bit of elevation loss and gain. I’m not sure it was the most photogenic day, but no complaints. I felt good through to the end.
A bonus for the day was the most amazing sunset views off of Mt. Lemmon Hwy. Unfortunately, it was getting later at that point and I needed to find a place to Boondock. But I did get some great glimpses.
Sunset from Windy Point, General Hitchcock Highway.