A haven of beauty and tranquility perched high in the Catalina Mountains just below the 9,157-foot summit of Mount Lemmon is prized by many Tucsonans and visitors as one of the most beautiful and tranquil sites in the range.
Reached by an easy walk of less than a half-mile on the Meadow Trail, the grassy, forest-hemmed meadow has attracted generations of nature lovers seeking a perfect place for a picnic, wildflower watching or quiet contemplation of clouds. It’s a spot where the big picture beauty and pure mountain air might dominate your attention at first.
But wander a bit, watch for details, and you’ll notice small, delicate summer wildflowers in addition to more bodacious blooms, leathery-looking mushrooms, graceful fern fronds, birds, bees and more. Late summer and fall are excellent times for a walk on the Meadow Trail, but keep an eye on the weather because the mountaintop location should be avoided if thunderstorms are in the area. Those who make their way to the meadow after winter snowfalls might find some good cross-country skiing.
Take Tanque Verde Road to the Catalina Highway and follow the highway past mile marker 24 to a turnoff for Mount Lemmon Ski Valley. Drive to Ski Valley and continue on a narrow road beyond the ski area 1.7 miles to a parking lot at road’s end. A signed trailhead is at the parking lot. Follow the trail about 0.2 of a mile to a junction with the Meadow Trail. You’ll pass some mountaintop observatory installations along the first part of the trail.
