In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The trailhead begins at the north end of the parking lot across the road from the Palisade Ranger Station and Visitor Information Center at Milepost 19.6 on Catalina Highway. Rates based up to 4 Guests. Supervisor's Office This trail is shaded for Mount Lemmon is home to many stunning trails, and the Butterfly Trail is one of the most popular options. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Mt. One interesting sight is the wreckage of a F-86 fighter jet that can be seen on a little side trail at 32.42549 N, 110.71816 W. More about this crash can be found here. Directions: Take the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. (Butterfly Trailhead is on the ridge just below Mount Lemmon.) Yellow-leafed trees can be spotted in Summerhaven. La Milagrosa Loop Hikers . Preview trail Severe Weather The upper trailhead for Butterfly Trail is on the east side of the highway. Along the trailside, a variety of trees are mixed and matched in diverse communities that include ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and southwestern white pine in the high, cool areas; Arizona madrone, box elder and bigtooth maple in the more moderate areas; and alligator juniper, various species of oak and yuccas in drier, more exposed areas. At the peak of this colossal mountain is the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, a science learning center with the largest public-use telescope in the Southwest. You can hike, bike, ride your horse, and take your leashed dog. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Off of the General Hitchcock Highway in Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Tucson, Arizona. 2014 August Oracle Ridge to San Pedro Crystal Spring, Butterfly, Kellogg, 1408 Kellogg Trail14856528690_0342271d0b_b, 1408 Looking down into Peck Basin from the Butterfly Trail14856595967_9fa4631104_b, 1408 Flower at the Butterfly and Davis Spring Junction14856576778_91889e415c_b, 1408 Green and Overgrown14856445779_46e9379dc7_b, 1408 Crystal Spring Trail15043151745_51940aca94_b, 1404 Wreckage near the Butterfly Trail13644982685_e3c7988e58_b, 1404 Looking down into the Peck Basin Area from the Butterfly Trail13644990403_7b9effb4af_b, 1404 A last Bit of Snow near the Butterfly Trail13644983713_4c0e2f4fee_b, 1404 Butterfly Trail13644953653_ce2f0c2299_b, 1404 Butterfly trail junction with Mount Bigelow in the Background13645320053_700f338410_b, 1404 Novio Falls from Just off the Butterfly Trail13645300343_4559d0a7f2_b. All roads are paved and suitable for any vehicle. website belongs to an official government organization in the Try this 5.5-mile point-to-point trail near Mount Lemmon, Arizona. Southern California September 2012 . It takes about an hour and ten minutes to get there from Speedway and Campbell and the drive up is gorgeous. TUCSON, Arizona ( KGUN) Pima County Search and Rescue (SAR) crews worked overnight and efforts remain ongoing to rescue hikers near Butterfly Trail on Mt. These colorful creatures congregate in clusters among the wildflowers that grow here. Total NerderyThe Butterfly Hiking Trail sits on the edge of Butterfly Peak Natural Area a research area set aside for its vast biodiversity. Contacts Manage My Contacts Effort Protocol: Traveling Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue 19 miles to the Palisades Visitor Information Center. . What is the longest trail in Mount Lemmon? Lemmon Camping Share/Bookmark Our dear friends Michael and Diane filed this report on camping at Mt. Chase & Grandma Joy . From the carpool location, take I-10 south toward Tucson. Additional parking also exists across Catalina Highway near the Butterfly Trail . Doves, Lightening, Hiking . All Souls Procession . Ed On Marshell Gulch Trail . It's the campground at the highest elevation - around 8,000 feet. A few short and easy trips here and there, but nothing that makes our feet hurt and our legs sore. Virginia & Jim At The Hunter Trail Saddle . The trail is rimmed with seasonal wildflowers and of course there are clusters of butterflies. 8- Try Out Rock Climbing At Mount Lemmon. One jet crashed near the Butterfly Trail, the other disappeared. Moist ravines are decorated with columbine and butterfly weed, while south facing slopes provide an appropriate habitat for prickly pear and hedgehog cactus. To learn more please refer to our Hiking Disclaimer. Youll be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable outdoor classroom than this. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 39 scenic trails in the Mount Lemmon area. Across the road from the Visitors Center, take trail #520 a short distance to the bottom of Butterfly trail #16. Please include your cell phone number in case we need to contact you on the day of the hike. There are also lovely hikes, such as the lush and shady Butterfly Trail, camping among the fresh-smelling pines in Spencer Canyon, fishing at Rose Canyon Lake and lots of picnic spots. Both trailheads require a $5 per car fee or a National Park pass. Views are diverse too, facing both east and west in what is a unique situation among generally south and west-facing Santa Catalina trails. At this forest lookout location,youll find good views of Tucson to the west. You can also access the Butterfly Hiking Trail across from the Palisades Visitor Center. Along the way, butterflies, wildflowers, a seasonal waterfall and an old plane wreck make this trail extra fun to explore. The two pilots ejected out of each of their planes and parachuted a half-mile apart on Mount Lemmon. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Our friends, Michael and Diane, frequently camp and hike on Mt. Youll find a variety of unusual and interesting things awaiting discovery in the many mountains of Arizona and Mount Lemmon, elevation 9,159 (and also the highest point in the Santa Clara Mountains) is no exception. If you continue on the trail, youll eventually see that the trail splits, part is the main trail, the other behind the rocks being a beat-in hikers path that heads up the canyon another tenth of a mile to the crash site (coordinates to this area are 32.42549 N, 110.71816 W). One jet crashed near the Butterfly Trail, the other disappeared. (520) 388-8300, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coronado/recreation/recarea/?recid=25622&actid=50, Bighorn Sheep Closure Order: 03-05-05-22-002, Drones/Sistemas de aeronaves no tripuladas, Santa Catalina Ranger District 520-749-8700. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Mount Lemmon is Arizona Trail: Passage 11 - Santa Catalina Mountains. Description A truly unique area for Mount Lemmon, the Butterfly Wall and the Trundle Pinnacle rank among the best crags around. Lemmon Hill Climb is a challenging mid-May cycling event sponsored by Greater Arizona Bicycling Association, Inc. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. Springtime is especially exciting with the crisp air and new growth seen all around the trail! Summerhaven If leaf-peeping has you exhausted, head up to Summerhaven for more views of yellow-leafed trees and a bite at Sawmill Run Restaurant or the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin. Take Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road to drive up Mount Lemmon. Escape Summers heat on this pretty down then up trail near Mount Lemmon. Bigelow, and of course butterflies! On the lesser-seen North-facing side of the mountain, the trail winds through various trees, plants, views of Mt. Chase & Grandma Joy . When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. Bigelow. Offroad Through Bajada Loop Drive in Saguaro National Park West, 10 Ghost Towns In Arizona That Are Actually Worth Visiting, The Ultimate Washington State Bucket List: 201 Historical & Outdoorsy Things To Do. Lemmon--Aspen Vista Point; Mt. Lemmon--Bear Canyon (Cypress, Middle Bear, Chihuahua Pine Picnic Areas) Mt. Virginia & Jim At The Hunter Trail Saddle . TRAIL DESCRIPTION Mount Lemmon is home to many stunning trails, and the Butterfly Trail is one of the most popular options. There are plenty of things to do on Mount Lemmon's hiking trails. Marine Blue Butterfly -- HDR Image by kenne Pretty butterfly Taking a break on a leaf So small and so blue. This is a popular trail for hiking and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Virginia & Jim At The Hunter Trail Saddle . Discover this 2.4-mile out-and-back trail near Mount Lemmon, Arizona. We will stop at the MacDonalds here to regroup. Arizona Trail Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bypass, more information from the Green Valley Hiking Club, HikeArizona Butterfly Trail #16 Catalina, AZ, Summit Hut Trail Talk The Butterfly Trail, Coronado National Forest Butterfly Trail #16, Crystal Spring and Butterfly Trails 5/8/2017, Goats, Fire, Improvements, Restoration, Camp Out 3/25/2016, Winter Weather, Crowds, Rescues, Missing Hikers, Lambs, Bigelow Trail and Butterfly Trail, Playing in the Snow 12/28/2014, Bigelow Trail, Butterfly to Mount Bigelow, Bigelow Road and the Highway 9/12/2014, Oracle Ridge Trailhead to San Pedro Vista 8/24/2014, Vehicle Access: Paved Roads/Passenger Car (Mountain Road - be careful of weather conditions! The Butterfly Hiking Trail is a fantastic escape from the desert heat. In this video you'll get a good look at wildlife in the a. Frequently asked trail questions about Mount Lemmon. Three F-86D Sabre Dogs from Davis-Monthan AFB were attempting an arrow formation when one jet pulled up and the tail struck the belly of another jet. A sign will help you avoid going up a side road a few minutes from the parking lot. The rest of the trail offers views to the east, of Alder Canyon and the San Pedro Valley. All roads are paved and suitable for any vehicle. [Waypoint b-ds]. Daily Weather Forecast Make sure to pack plenty of water appropriate for the season and exercise leave no trace ethics. Mt Lemmon 33 reviews Unclaimed Hiking See all 144 photos Write a review Add photo " is a beautiful down with some homes and restaurants that you may want to check out." in 9 reviews "Fantastic scenic drive from desert floor to mountain top, a difference of 8,000+ feet in elevation." 5.6 miles, 8300: Arrive again at the unsigned junction of the un-named trailthe Butterfly Trail [Waypoint B04] continue down the Butterfly Trail to hike back to the, 2018/12/23 Change reference to Incinerator Ridge Parking Area to Kellogg Trailhead to reflect current signage, 2017/8/15 HikeLemmon posts added to resources, 2015/8/16 Added link to the GVHC info on the crash, 2014/12/31 Added several winter pictures, and added missing trailhead link, 2014/10/13 Added PDFtrailmap, updated GPX, fixed typos and updated description. Walking further, the trail enters a canyon near Novio Falls before it climbs towards Mt. The upper trailhead is about another 4 miles up Catalina Highway at the Soldier Camp access road. This is a fun hike with plenty of great views. Basic HTML is allowed. Continue on the un-named trail to the west. Located 43 miles (69 km) northeast from the heart of Tucson, a visit to Mount Lemmon is a favourite day trip for tourists and locals alike. Lemmon--Butterfly Trail View with Google Maps Region Pima County Arizona United States Additional details People Owner Kevin Puvalowski Share this checklist with other participants' eBird accounts. Butterfly Road is on the left as you head north on Catalina Highway. Lemmon--Butterfly Trail; Mt. Pets/Entire Stay. Add Your Recommended Routes RECOMMENDED ROUTE Intermediate/Difficult Marshall Gulch To Aspen Loop 3.8 mi 814' Up 831' Down Tanque, AZ Mt. La Milagrosa and Agua Caliente Canyon Trail Loop, Incinerator Ridge Trail and Kellogg Trail, Map of All Trailheads, Google Maps Link and Trailhead Search, Redington Pass Backcountry Touring Staging Area. Spirit Mountain Wildflowers April 11, 2023; Avi Kwa Ame National Monument April 10, 2023; . We hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places. The signed junction with Davis Spring Trail #31 is two-thirds of the way down. Although we missed it, a side trail just beyond Novio Falls,leads to the wreckage of an old plane crash. Numerous hikers on the Meadow Trail near Mount Lemmon, the 9,157-foot high point of the Catalinas, have paused in recent days to capture photo and video images of butterflies and blooms.. The entire trail, out and back is approximately 10.8 miles, however we've read about many hikers parking one vehicle at the Butterfly Trailhead and another at the Palisade Visitor Center to make this a trail a shorter 5.5 mile trek. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Either way, the hike heads downhill first, then climbs to its further trailhead. The most popular and difficult trail in Mount Lemmon is Bug Springs Trail with a 4.6-star rating from 542 reviews. This seasonal fall passes through a rocky gully and is usually active in Spring. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Share sensitive information only The hike passes the Davis Spring Trail at 3 miles, then the Bigelow and Kellogg Trails at 5 miles. SAR spokespeople say one injured hiker was airlifted in a Blackhawk helicopter after spending the night on Mt. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Start/End: Upper Butterfly Trailhead ( Upper Highway Hikes) Details Fee: No Dogs: Yes Bikes: Yes The Mt. Which trail has the most elevation gain in Mount Lemmon? Butterfly Trail Day Hike; when: Trip Report: August 3, 2019 Trip Report: June 6, 2009 Trip Report: August 23, 1997: where: Tucson, Santa Catalina Mountains: the hike The Butterfly Trail near the cool summit of Mount Lemmon is an enjoyable walk through a diverse biological area with beautiful views. On AllTrails.com, you'll find 38 hiking trails, 19 trail running trails, 9 backpacking trails, and more. As you might guess, pieces are scattered all around the area where these photos were taken, and plenty of plant growth since 1957. There are 2 accesses. 1.3 miles,7050: Signed junction with the, 2.3 miles, 6550: As you reach the lowest point along the Butterfly Trail Novio Falls comes into view thru the trees and a steep/loose side trail to the bottom of the falls leaves the trail [Waypoint B02], 2.6 miles, 6750: A well worn unofficial trail leaves the butterfly trail and continues south along the canyon to the crash site of an F-86 (from 1957 , 3.0 miles, 7100: Signed junction with the Davis Spring Trail at the sign this looks like a well worn trail, but this trail is currently very difficult (impossible perhaps) to find and follow. To top it all off, a generous helping of these attractions can be reached by hiking a relatively easy part of the trail, avoiding those steeper portions that account for its more difficult rating. Lemmon and the Coronado National Forest, see the Coronado National Forest Service website. Head up to Mount Lemmon and take on the beautiful Butterfly Trail! Official websites use .gov A .gov After passing the Crystal Springs Hiking Trail, at 1.4 miles, the Butterfly Hiking Trail continues downhill. Mount Lemmon Road) 40 miles to the northeast of Tucson. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5/non-member. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Lemmon, Tucson Hike: This is a short 3.7 mile, gentle hike through the mountain forests. United States government. But this mountain, in particular, holds some other treasures that arent as widely known or accessible. This hike begins in Marshall Gulch taking the Aspen Loop to the saddle, which is the beginning of the Wilderness Rocks Trail. Mountain Spiny Lizard . From the carpool location, take I-10 south toward Tucson. Contests & Promotions, Chilly, breezy, scattered snow showers possible, State fire marshal calls up C. Oregon firefighter task force to help battle large fire in downtown John Day. Lemmon. Tucson, AZ 85701 Smells beautiful! Because of difficult terrain and icy conditions, specialized technical rescue teams have been called in to assist. Do you know of other plane wreckages found in the mountains of the Grand Canyon State? The trailhead is near the Palisade Visitors Center. Total driving time from the carpool location to the trailhead is about 2 hours 30 minutes. Small patch of snow and ice. If youre one of the growing number of Forest visitors that likes to know what youre seeing, youll want to bring your tree and wildflower books. //