Road of the Month: Mt. Lemmon Highway, Tucson, AZ

A friend and I were talking the other day about being sent for training in other states, and he mentioned that for some reason, he almost always had to train in Arizona in the summer.  This may seem counter-intuitive considering that AZ is extremely hot during the summer, but it actually makes a lot of sense.  The heat means that tourism rates drop considerably in AZ during summers, and that leads to cheaper hotel rates for companies.  Likewise, consumers can also take advantages of these lower rates – but what do you do when it’s 120F outside?  You get in the car and you drive until you hit cooler weather.  Luckily, the Mt. Lemmon Highway, also known as the Sky Island Scenic Byway, is a beautiful road just east of Tucson that’s perfect for escaping the heat.

This route is actually fairly short in terms of distance, but provides plenty of opportunities to stop and take in fresh air along the way.  Start with a late brunch at Bobo’s, a small joint with  limited space.  Expect a long but worthwhile wait – my visit included chicken fried steak, home fries, 2 eggs, toast, a huge banana pancake, and coffee for $11.  However, this is not the main attraction – head out after eating due east.  Once the road starts heading northeast, the houses start to thin out.  The hills and curves start when they totally disappear, and the landscape begins to morph.

After climbing a couple thousand feet, the road will double back on itself to get up the mountain.  This will give you stunning views of the city below, as well as the various rock formations on the mountain.  Although there will be some beautiful scenery when passing through Windy Point, you don’t have to stop if you’re a bit strapped for time.  I felt that the scenery in this area was better appreciated on the downhill run.  Around this point, the landscape also changes from desert to forest.  Remember that animals live where there is vegetation, so be careful and keep a lookout for little critters.  Keep an eye on the temperature too – hot weather can cause the engine to overheat, while cold temperatures can cause ice on the roads.

When you get to the top, there are a couple things you can do.  If you are traveling near the winter snow season, you can choose to ski at the resort on the summit.  If you’re headed out there in summer, then you might choose to hike through Sabine Canyon instead.  Either way, you’ll want to time it so that you can head down the highway as the sun is setting.  I was lucky and hit it just right with no planning, and the results were breathtaking.  There is no way to forget the amazing colors and shadows that I saw that day, all while enjoying a drive on a well-maintained road.

When you get back into the city, I suggest heading over to El Guero Canelo for a Sonoran hot dog.  This is a southern specialty, and you should try it while you can.  Who could resist a bacon wrapped hot dog with onions, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, beans and some condiments?  While the location I’ve linked is not the original, it is in a slightly better area and is nearer to other attractions.  For example, after dinner you can stroll over towards the University of Arizona campus.  Grab a quick drink with (very good) boba from Miss Saigon, and stroll around the beautiful campus.  It’s a great way to cap off the day.