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Mount Lemmon
No trip through the Santa Catalina Mountains would be complete without trekking up its highest peak.
Guide Sections
Use Mount Lemmon's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Mount Lemmon Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
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No trip through the Santa Catalina Mountains would be complete without trekking up its highest peak. As you ascend 9,159-feet to the summit via the Mount Lemmon Highway, you'll see how the ecosystem changes from the Sonoran Desert to grasslands to oak and aspen forests. This creates a diverse habitat for birds, mammals, and reptiles that you won’t find in other parts of this region. One of the most interesting things you will notice along the way is the drastic change in temperature. Although the foot of the mountain might be dry and humid, the peak will likely be 30-degrees colder. In the winter, it is one of the only places in Arizona where you can go skiing or snowboarding.