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Coronado National Forest

Welcome to pictures from Mt. Lemmon and Madera Canyon located in the Coronado National Forest page. Mt. Lemmon is located northeast of Tucson. It is easily accessed from the downtown area. Take Speedway Blvd east, make a left onto Tanque Verde. Proceed to the Catalina Highway and make a left on it. Proceed up the mountain where it will turn into the Sky Island Scenic Byway inside the National Forest. The mountain is 9,157' and the highest in the Santa Catalina Mountains. These mountains are the largest and closest of the 4 mountain ranges that surround Tucson. A ski resort and the small town of Summerhaven are at the top of the mountain.

Madera Canyon is located in the heart of the Santa Rita Mountains, the southern and furthest range surrounding Tucson. From downtown Tucson, take I-19S for 25 miles. Take the Continental Exit 63 and follow the signs for 11 miles into Madera Canyon. This is a good escape of the summer heat at 5000+'. The area is also famous for bird watching. There are a few lodges in the area and limited resources and facilities.

From the first overlook off of Catalina Highway on the way to the top of Mt. Lemmon. This is the Babad Do'ag Vista, at a low enough elevation to be still in the desert.
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Thimble Peak pullout off of the Catalina Highway on the way to Mt. Lemmon.
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Seven Cataracts along the Sky Island Scenic Byway, Mt Lemmon.
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The view from the Catalina Highway on the way up to the top of Mt. Lemmon.
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Manzanita Point along the Sky Island Scenic Byway, Mt Lemmon.
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Windy Point Vista pullout off of the Catalina Highway on the way to Mt. Lemmon.
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Windy Point Vista pullout off of the Catalina Highway.
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Windy Point Vista pullout off of the Catalina Highway.
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Rock spire at Windy Point Vista.
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Geology Point Vista pullout off of the Catalina Highway on the way to Mt. Lemmon.
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Aspen Vista pullout off of the Catalina Highway.
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The view from 7000' on a pullout off of the Catalina Highway.
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The next 3 pictures are from the Nature Trail in Madera Canyon. The trail head is picked up at the Amphitheater Parking lot, just past the Santa Rita Lodge. The trail starts at 4800' and ascends 510'. The distance is not known, but the trail ends 1/2 mile up from the parking lot. The hike took between 45-60 minutes. This photo is of an 8001' peak.
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From the Nature Trail, looking west out beyond the canyon to the valley.
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Looking up the canyon from the Nature Trail.
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From the lower portion of the Nature Trail.
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The small creek along the Nature Trail.
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