We took a drive yesterday up to Mt. Lemmon at the edge of Tucson city limits. We had read about it but were not prepared for the absolute beauty and grandeur that we encountered on the drive.
It is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains,in the Coronado National Forest, and is one of southern Arizona’s “sky islands” where pine covered mountains rise high above the desert floor. The trip up General Hitchcock Highway can be compared to a trip from Mexico to Canada with vegetation from the Saguaro cactus in the lowland deserts to pine, fir, and spruce at the highest elevations. It is 27.6 miles of the most fantastic scenery you will ever see in just a one day drive!!!
We took a lot of pictures and are posting them for your enjoyment however they cannot compare to being there!!!!!
Starting up………….
Saguaro cactus everywhere!
City of Tucson in the distance…….
Just about half way up………..
We stopped to hike around here and found lots of plants and flowers.
Ocotillo flower…. Agave growing thru mesquite
This agave really does like to “bite” your shins…..
Very pretty flower…..but don’t touch!!!
No idea what it’s called, but smells great!!!!
Another flower I don’t know that name of, but it’s pretty!!
As we watched him……he watched us!!!
Ocotillo (pr: oct a tio) and prickly pear
Palo Verde….Arizona State tree 
Now, a bit of history………….
In the past there was a prison on this mountain road, and many Japanese-American men were sent here for refusing (for various reasons)to serve in the Army during WWII. An interesting, but sad, part of our history.
All that remains are the foundations of the buildings and some of the rock retaining walls. There is a campground at this location now.
Moving on up the highway…………………
Natural bridge at the top……….
Thimble Peak in the distance
We’re getting there………………….
Hawk riding the thermals…….
Crazy rock formations…… 
Bill taking more pix from up on the trail.
Cactus Wren “posed” on sign for me!!
Note the bush growing out of the top of the rock!
That’s the road we just came up!!
Bill found another trail to explore.
More great formations……
Plaque of dedication to General Hitchcock at Windy Vista
More winding road…….
This one looks like the carvings in Hawaii
Almost at the top…………
Saw the signs….but no bears!!!!
Didn’t see any of these either……..
But did find the snow!!!!!
At the end of the road……..
One of the ski runs……not like in the Cascades or Rockies!!!
Beautiful stand of birch trees.
A few of the houses in Summerhaven (at top)
We stopped for a cookie the size of a dinner plate. Yummy!!
More rock formations on the way down……..
What is holding this together?
Trees seem to grow out of the rocks.
Finally, the rock on the right looks like our favorite bird , a roosting Common Nighthawk.
If you ever get to southern Arizona, pack a lunch and plan a day trip on the Sky Island Scenic Byway……..it is well worth it!
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