Backway to Mount Lemmon

Total Miles
47.7

Elevation

2,410.90 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Summer

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Backway to Mount Lemmon 5

Trail Overview

Many drivers opt to skip this unremarkable backroad. There is a 6-mile section of the road that climbs and winds up the mountain, but other than that, it is pretty uneventful. Unlicensed vehicles are okay on Forest Road 38, but Rice Peak is your more appealing option.

Photos of Backway to Mount Lemmon

Backway to Mount Lemmon
Backway to Mount Lemmon
Backway to Mount Lemmon

Difficulty

Easy: Most of the road is smooth gravel. The upper part gets a little rougher, but any 4-wheel-drive SUV can do it. Very dusty when dry.

History

The area is slowly recovering from the 2003 Aspen Fire, which burned over 84,000 acres and destroyed 340 homes and businesses in the town of Summerhaven at the top of the mountain.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Joey Sheldon
Mar 30, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Muddy/Wet
Nice trip. passing would be challenging in spots if there was heavier traffic.
Jeroen Heuzen
Mar 03, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Sam Sullivan
Feb 18, 2024
Temporarily Closed
Seasonal Closure
The trail is very long but fun. Nothing difficult but good clearance is required. There is a lot of snow towards the top. It is closed at the very top so you cannot drive through. It’s a long way back. Had to rescue a F250 near the top that came inches from sliding off a shelf section. Don’t try it without 4wd and very good tires.
Craig Darling
Dec 30, 2023
2023 Toyota Tacoma
Open

Access Description

Head north on Oracle Road, Highway 77, from Tucson. Just past mile marker 100, turn right on American Avenue. Continue another 2.7 miles to road marked Mt. Lemmon Highway on right. We start the trail here even though this part is still paved. Last chance to get gas in Oracle.

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