Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
meadows and pine forests. Then it eases into a gentle descent, which steepens into an
easy zigzag on an earthen trail through continuing pines.
You reach the halfway point of the loop when the Meadow Trail rejoins the
Mount Lemmon Trail at a signed intersection. There are good views to the south,
with Thimble Peak and Sabino Canyon's Phoneline Trail clearly visible at 162° to the
southeast. At this junction, near the low point of the trail, turn left (east-northeast, then
east) along the Mount Lemmon Trail, which roughly follows the 8,800-foot contour
line.
You'll enjoy views of the Tucson valley to your right and gently begin to climb
until you reach a signed turn for the Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail #12 to the right
(south-southeast). Here, you can continue on Mount Lemmon Trail to the northeast
and back to the parking area, or you can head south on the recommended side trip to
the Lemmon Rock Lookout.
The Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail descends through the pine forest and continues
down to the
Wilderness of Rock
. Wander down just a few hundred yards to the turnoff
to the lookout on your left, then climb to the lookout tower itself. There has been
a lookout here since 1913, and the current tower is open to visitors during the dry
summer fire season, when it is occupied around the clock by a U.S. Forest Service
firefighter who spends the entire summer in the cramped but totally scenic quarters.
When Audrey and I visited, we were warmly welcomed by firefighter Dave Medford
and his dog, Gus.
Dave pointed out all the landmarks and mountain ranges visible from his lookout,
explaining the southern-Arizona weather patterns that he can see unfolding above, be-
low, and around him. Gus enjoyed getting a head rub until he was back on duty, with
a friendly bark to alert us to the arrival of the next visitors.
If you're here outside of the fire season, the views from the rock upon which the
lookout tower is built are almost as great as from the tower itself. Looking west, you'll
see three nearby outcrops that are favored by rock climbers. The one on the left is
Rappel Rock, the middle one is Fortress Rock, and the series of slabs to the right are
The Ravens. Way off to the south and southwest, the Tucson valley spreads out before
you, surrounded in the distance by the Tucson, Santa Rita, and Rincon Mountains. It's
a splendid survey of almost everywhere in this topic.
