'Round the Backside of Mt. Lemmon

[azcycle]

For those who don't know, Mt. Lemmon is the highest peak in Tucson's northern mountain range, the Catalina Mountains.  Tucson's elevation is roughly 2,300 feet, and in comparison, Mt. Lemmon's Ski Valley is about 8,500 feet.  The 27-mile drive up Catalina Highway to Ski Valley (the United State's southernmost ski area) is a scenic, wonderful, fun, twisty experience. However, there is another way up the mountain via the Old Mt Lemmon Road, which twists it's way up the Northern side of the Catalinas.  I've sat at the top entrance/exit a few times, gazing at the CAUTION: STEEP SINGLE LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD. NOT MAINTAINED. sign a few times, wondering if the old r65 could make it.

So, knowing my father-in-law John would've said "go for it!" I decided to make good use of my monthly furlough day and try it. With it's recent fluid refreshening, new plugs, and valves adjusted, the old r65 was running very well.  Despite a leaky fork seal and a valve cover that was stubbornly not sealing and dripping oil, I prepped for the ride. Stocking up on water, tools, and anything else I could think of that might come in handy, I didn't get as early of a start as I wanted. The Tucson heat was already building at 86 degrees F when I rolled out of the driveway at 10:30 a.m.  


My destination, the top of the Catalina Mountains

Not many exciting photos through the traffic of Tucson!  As I started to leave Tucson behind, I smiled as I was able to open the bike up a bit along AZ Route 77. With little local traffic, the two-lane road was almost deserted, and she hummed along comfortably. What speed? I don't know... I don't have a speedometer.  


First stop, about 6 miles south of Oracle, AZ... the (in)famous Biosphere 2. Notice how clean the bike is.

[azcycle]

Just a few miles on, I roll into Oracle, Arizona. A small but scenic little town that has quite a bit of old mining equipment scattered here and there.  Stopping at the local convenience store, I down a bottle of Vitamin Water and a snack bag of Doritos.


Entering Oracle, Arizona

Jumping back on the bike, I rumble through town, find the Old Catalina Road over rolling, scenic two-lane roads, until I come to my first Mt Lemmon sign.  The bike is idling high and I pause here, pulling out a screwdriver and adjusting the idle screws on the carbs.  Perfecto!  I roll on...




Mt. Lemmon - 26 miles of dirt road in ? condition.

I slowly begin climbing very gently. The road is wide and smooth, with only a little washboard.  I occasionally give her a burst of throttle and test the old knobby tires.  Grip is surprisingly good, though the suspension is already feeling it.


Very scenic and green, with hidden ranches here and there.

I see a young deer crossing the road in front of me, and roll to a stop, trying not to startle her.  I manage to get my camera out and pointed, just as a local redneck yahoo comes roaring around the corner in his lifted pickup, scaring her off.  Dangit!

[azcycle]

My destination, looking south at the northern side of the Catalinas. You can actually see the road just left of center, slashing up to the right.


The Ocotillos were blooming and just spectacular.


Really starting to gain some altitude. Looking back North.

The road is getting progressively worse, but still pretty darned good. I'm finding I have to start to pick my lines and coerce the bike where I want her to go.  About this time, I start to hear a new rattle coming through my earplugs, and I pull over.


Taking a break to find out the source of the new rattle.

As soon as I remove my earplugs, I am surprised to hear the sound of running water.  Grabbing my camera, I venture over the nearest edge and at the bottom of the gully, find a hidden oasis.


The temperature was much cooler here!

Clambering back up the steep slope, I finish off my Doritos and find the source of the rattle.  One of the tail light lens mounts had broken, leaving the right side of the tail light assembly loose.  It was cracked before, and my patch of super-glue obviously didn't work.  Oh well.


Bungee Cords to the rescue!  They helped keep the lens assembly from rattling the other mount apart.

Working my way through a rocky, sandy wash crossing which is being worked on by a guy in a little skid-steer tractor, I come across a sign stating the next 9 miles are steep and narrow... beware!

[azcycle]

This picture doesn't show how steep and loose this section was. Over the next 7 miles or so, I begin to wonder if I bit off more than I could chew.

I begin to climb into cooler temperatures and start seeing pine trees. The damage from the 2003 fire that ravaged the mountain begins to make it's appearance.


Don't go off the road here... steep drops!


Mmmmm love the smell of pine trees.  Reminds me of my hometown of Flagstaff, AZ.


The road, while still loose and steep in some areas, has mostly smoothed out, and I can tell I'm nearing the top.

The top comes unexpectedly, and I roll over the last cattle-grate and see pavement ahead. I officially made it up the Mt. Lemmon Control Road! I jump on the pavement, and ride the remaining few miles up to Ski Valley, which is a cool 70 degrees F.  The weather is just gorgeous here.


Success!  Take THAT rarely maintained control road!


Showing off in Ski Valley.


Looking back down the mountain through the fire damage. You can faintly see Oracle, AZ in the center if you follow the ridge line down from the right of the picture.

Photos start to get scarce here, because the twisties on the way down are OH so much fun...  From Ski Valley to the base of Mt Lemmon on the south (Tucson) side is roughly 26-miles.

[azcycle]

More fire damage, looking south toward Tucson proper.


That's a steep drop on the left!


Just above Windy Point, the rough halfway mark down the mountain.


More twisties, looking toward Tucson.


At the base, looking back up the mountain. You can see Catalina Highway slashing from left to right, about the level of the stop sign.

And that was my adventure! No pictures taken of my ride home through Tucson traffic.  I started at 10:30am, and rolled back into the driveway at exactly 2:45pm.... 4 hours and 15 minutes.  Total mileage: 125 miles.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Do you have your Google Map saved to My Google Maps?
Can you link to it?

Nice pictures.  Thanks!!!  
I really like the dirt, and I've bitten off more than I can chew more than a couple of times!

[azcycle]

Thanks, Rob!  You can find the .kmz file here, hosted from my graphic design website. Just copy and paste this URL into Google Maps search bar and it should pop up.  I don't have a GPS device, so I built this track by hand... it might be a little off.

http://www.graemehuntdesign.com/clients/r65-Lemmon.kmz

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

This should take care of the fuss...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fwww.graemehuntdesign.com%2Fclients%2Fr65-Lemmon.kmz&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=45.332616,79.013672&ie=UTF8&t=p&z=10


THANK YOU!

(God I love maps...)



(WARNING!  POOR TASTE JOKE.................................


Do they have handicap parking at ski lodges?)

[Ed Miller]

You're making me homesick, Graeme, and we moved from AZ before I was even one.  

Thanks for sharing.

[Lucky_Lou]

Looks great not too much traffic either.How are the nobblies on tarmac?.
Lou

[azcycle]

Thanks all... it was fun!  I noticed that the exhaust sounded especially loud coming home yesterday.  Upon inspecting, the straight pipe muffler had come loose from the header pipe. Not completely separated but enough for me to hear it, and to cause a slight "lumpy" idle. I've got to fix that tonight.

Lou... the knobbies on there are 50/50 road/dirt. They're a bit too aggressive for my taste and will replace with a more 70/30 type tire.  They feel okay on pavement, but do get a bit squishy feeling when cornering.  

[dav]

Love your backyard mate [smiley=thumbsup.gif].

Great shots

[msbuck]

Wow!  Looks like a fantastic day.  Thanks for all the pics.  These little bikes will go anywhere!  

[Melena]

Great pics!  What a great ride you had.   I love the Ocatillo in bloom.  I'll bet it was a great year for desert wildflowers this year.

I've been so close to Arizona and never made it over the border from California.   But my Great Uncle always gave us a subscription to Arizona Hwys. when I was a kid and I always wanted to go there.  Someday.

[azcycle]

Thanks, all!  I'm getting more confident this little gal can go longer distances now.  Still have a few things to fix/check (brakes, fuse conversion, timing chain, check rotor brushes, diode board, etc) but I'm feeling pretty good that it's not going to break down on me in the middle of nowhere.

I scored a used tail light bucket for $25 (with plastic/chrome innards) as well as a used but undamaged rear fender for $25!!!  Now I can have it repainted/pinstriped when I go to a different tire... to replace the fender that's been chewed up by this big knobby Kenda on there now.