Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Cathedral Rock, AZ via the Mount Lemmon Trail

10/17/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Some of you are searching for info about accessing Cathedral Rock via a trail other than Esperero out of Sabino Canyon.  Nothing on the usually reliable site, "hikeAZ" or elsewhere.  Looking at the map, it appears driving to the top of Mount Lemmon at 9157' and departing from the Mount Lemmon trail makes some sense as CR is at 7957' the high point in the front range of the Catalinas. I'm not dumb, I knew there would not be a gentle ridge trail that would take me from one peak to another but the idea had a lot going for it.  At that elevation, vegetation would not be the huge issue it is at lower elevation after the monsoon.  The temp? About 90 in the valley but up here, 47 at the start wiwth a high of 71.  I decided to check it out, departing from our place at 5:45 which put me on the slopes of Lemmon for moon set and sun rise.  Above from the parking lot at mile 2.5 up Catalina Highway. 
Picture
I was obligated to stop at several pull-outs as the view of the sun casting early light was spectacular.  Eventually, I made it to the top of the mountain and was stunned to find the parking lot full and vehicles alongside the narrow road.  At least 25 at 7:15am.  Good, I like the idea I may meet people and exchange info. As it turns out, I saw only 1 person until my return.
Picture
Soon after shoving off with the necessities and 4.5 liters of fluid, Cathedral Rock/Peak comes into view.  Plenty of evidence still of the....
Picture
......2003 Aspen Fire but lots of Aspen growing to take their place. Down, down I go.  I set some limits; if I had not reached my destination in 4 hours, turn around.  If I descended for more than 7 miles, turn around because the return would be brutal, similar to hiking from the Colorado River to the south rim of the GC.
Picture
I hike through fairly steep slopes and enter a boulder area that appears to be a natural habitat for lions. I am now in the.....
Picture
....area know as the Wilderness of Rocks and eventually reach the junction having a trail by that name.  I continue where a brief ascent brings me to this.....
Picture
....intriguing spot.  Hmmmm, that expanse of slick rock could be a great vantage point to see what lies beyond and WOW....
Picture
....was it!!!  Some of the best scenery I've seen with expansive views to the south and....
Picture
 ....northwest down Romero Canyon and of course directly across was Cathedral Rock.  Awesome. I continued down, another mile and about 1300' of drop to arrive at Romero Pass.
Picture
 I had come almost 6 miles, practically every step going down other than 378' of climbing. I figured I had lost 3000+' and judging by the map, still had another 1500' of descending before ascending to Cathedral Rock. Clearly, while the trail was in good shape and easy to follow and the moderate temp welcome, the traditional route coming out of Sabino Canyon is "much" easier.  In this case, there is about 1500' of extra climbing doing this route to CR and a mile longer then compared to starting from the other side of the mountain out of Sabino Canyon via the Esperero Trail. 
Picture
At Romero Pass, looking up to Cathedral Rock. The other point is, this network of trails is not intended to take you to the peak of CR.  If it was, you'd start switch backing up this and be at the base of the peak in probably a mile.  Staring at the slopes, there is no doubt from this point you could reach most of the way and then circle to the east side where there is access but of course, no time for that.
Picture
I took another look down canyon where the West Fork Trail descends and where, after about 1.5 miles you'd hang a right at Cathedral Rock trail and begin climbing but as noted earlier, the trail does not go to CR but passes it where at a saddle, you go off trail and ascend to the peak.
Picture
And of course, a last look down Romero Canyon and begin the long slog out.
Picture
I take my time and enjoy the views, almost always trail side.
Picture
More burned out areas with Aspen coming back as I look to the northeast.
Picture
Nearing the parking lot, you can see a fire spotter's cabin on the left and more good views to the southeast.
Picture
At the top, it won't be long before there will be snow and the lifts active...yes, in Tucson, AZ.  Finished with 11.6 miles and 4000' of climbing.  Great hike!
           
1 Comment
Phil Livingston
10/20/2016 04:01:40 pm

Another awesome hike, photos, and narrative. Thank you for sharing.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.