This is an out-and-back trail 10.3 miles long on Mt. Lemmon in Tucson. It has an elevation change of about 2,600 ft and is considered "challenging," as it has some steep sections with treacherous rocks, and in places it's easy to lose the trail and get lost. You can also go off-trail on purpose if you know the way and go from the top all the way down to Sabino Canyon. Assuming you stay on trail, the elevation is 8,100 ft at the top and goes down to 6,600 ft.
We didn't hike the whole trail. We started at the top and went about 1.5 miles out, then returned. It was a cool, moist day with a temperature of 41° F and humidity around 65%. It had rained the previous evening and rain was expected again later in the day. That meant mountain mist rolling in and out. At the top of the trail, we were above the mist layer. That made for some really nice views. The mist rose as the morning wore on.
At this elevation the environment is pine forest, very different from the desert floor. There are even bears and wolves up here.
There was a memorable and pleasant smell in the area. It was the combination of the sweet scent of new growth and the char left from the last forest fire a few years ago. Hard to capture a smell in photos.
The mist rose slowly throughout the day and eventually formed rain clouds over the mountain. Nice trail! Will visit again.
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