Corona de Tucson
October 21, 2023
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| Just look at that beautiful blue sky... |
Catalina Highway, also know as the Sky Island Parkway National Scenic Byway and/or the Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that climbs Mount Lemmon which is the highest peak (9100+ feet) in the Santa Catalina Mountain Range. It is a gorgeous curvy drive with lots of switchbacks, numerous pull-outs and vistas as far as the eye can see. The climb begins with giant saguaros, followed by manzanita scrub bush which then gives way to the ponderosa pines at about 7,000 feet elevation gain. At the end of the drive aspens, maples, oak and Arizona walnut trees are included in the many broadleaf tree species found there. I read the biological diversity on this highway is equivalent to a drive from Mexico to Canada in just 27 miles...from desert to a shady conifer forest and everything in between.
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| Exposed granite in all directions and Ponderosa Pines along the byway... |
We had a goal of reaching the top so we kept our stops at pull-outs to a bare minimum with only one. We just had to have an up close and personal visit with the Hoodoos. Hoodoos are abundant around mile marker 15 with a large pull-out parking lot (and restrooms) to better see and enjoy these eye-catching rock columns and interesting formations.
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| What we saw when we parked... |
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| A short climb and up close... There is a small plaque in memory of Frank Harris Hitchcock whose sincere interest and unceasing efforts made this highway possible. |
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| Mt Lemmon Marigolds just pop up all along the rock and tree debris. |
The first ski lift installed at Ski Valley was in 1955. The top elevation of Ski Valley is 9,157 feet above sea level and has 200 skiable acres with 21 runs. Today, it is the southernmost ski destination in the continental United States.
We don't ski, but there are several other notable "claim to fame" reasons to visit Ski Valley...fudge, cookies, chili and cornbread with honey, pie and fall colors come to mind. We successfully indulged in all of those notables except the cookies and thats only because the cookie store was closed.
The Iron Door, charming and quaint, has an awesome patio perfect for this time of year. What a treat it was to sit among special guests...they were all giggles and whispers conjuring up things only they know about.
But we did hear mention of cauldrons with fur of bats and eyes of newts.
with pie to carry home.
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| The pies are little whole pies. We chose Mt. Berry and Peach with crumbles. |
The lift is across the street with shops for fudge and cookies. We also came home with chocolate fudge after several samples which included s'mores fudge and German chocolate fudge. We didn't ride the lift, but decided next time, we would bring a picnic, ride the lift and have lunch at the top.
Even though I read we were maybe a week early for fall color, we did see some beautiful trees.
The loop ride to the SkyCenter (Stewart's Observatory public astronomy outreach program) was the end of the climb.
Back at the oasis, we had a wonderful and much welcomed rainy day.
The flowers were happy...
Joe and I were happy...
This little ladder-back woodpecker was happy...
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| She had the yard and feeders to herself... |
And we enjoyed a pretty sunset at the end of the day.
We logged in a few miles...
Sally looks forward to outside and morning sunshine.
The regular visitors stay busy...
And for a couple of weeks now we have had real snowbirds. The White-crowned Sparrows have arrived.
They fit right in with the House Sparrows.
Sally had a much needed cut, bath, and nails trimmed.
And just like that, another week is in the memory bank. Until next time,
Very nice photos and I look forward to your weekly posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice compliment and for checking in…
DeleteBeautiful drive up Mt Lemmon, while watching the landscape change. And of course the fall colors as they begin to dominate. Just a beautiful composition this week.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jeff…thank you! It was our first time to take the scenic byway to Mt. Lemmon.
DeleteSweet Sally--I like her best when she is all fluffy but even now she still a cute, cute pooch! I've never been to the top of Mt. Lemmon--Mike has on motorcycles a couple times. Gorgeous fall photos!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janna…we were excited to see some fall color. The red maple trees were so pretty! A Harley ride would have been fun on Catalina Highway back in the day. I like a fluffy Sally too. It’s a fine line between not enough fluff and too much fluff and since she doesn’t enjoy getting cut these days, we went a little too far to the not enough side.
DeleteWe went up there last year! Or was it earlier this year? Love that hoodoo shot with the sun behind it, and those fall colors are incredible!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jim…it’s a beautiful drive isn’t it? We were so happy to see some fall color and enjoy a bowl of chili.
DeleteThis is a drive we took every winter when we stayed in Tucson. It's such fun to have 70's below and watch the skiers at the top in the 30's. Glad you had lots of fall colors. So pretty. Love seeing photos of Sally.
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, it was our first drive up the mountain…hope it wasn’t the last! I’m thinking all seasons are very scenic there and though I don’t like cold, it would be fun to see the snow and skiers and then head home. Sally doesn’t make it easy to snap photos of herself…I have to sneak up on her!
DeleteWe tell people about the incredible diversity of that drive, but your description is perfect! We must get back up there again. Love the cute little marigolds. It looks like you were there at the perfect time for fall colors!! We didn't get any of that rain, glad you got to enjoy the wet. Sally looks all spiffy with her new cut, such a cutie.
ReplyDeleteHi Jodee, and thank you. The maple trees were so pretty and I think (even though I read different opinions about waiting a week) we made a good choice to go when we did. There is a better chance of rain this week…hope we both get lucky!
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