Photos: Mount Lemmon, a busy mountain
Science, plants, wildlife, recreation and businesses all share a part of Mt. Lemmon and the surrounding areas in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
A giant plume of smoke is created as the Aspen Fire moves toward Mount Lemmon town of Summerhaven in 2003.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Corona de Tucson and Three Points firefighters battle to save a house on Phoenix Avenue near Carter Canyon Road in Summerhaven during the Aspen Fire in 2003.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Prisoners from the Catalina Federal Prison Honor Camp work on the Catalina Highway road on Mt. Lemmon. Pictured is the Catnip Canyon Crossing at mile 8.8.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
This is the remains of the World War II-era Japanese internment camp at Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Mt. Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Pima County Sheriff's deputies close the Catalina Highway to Mt. Lemmon after a Winter snow.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
U.S .Forest Service firefighters mop up a 1/4-acre fire in the heavily-fueled Bear Wallow drainage on the unburned side of the Bullock Fire near Mt. Bigelow near Mt. Lemmon. Firefighters are constantly on alert after the devastating Aspen Fire in 2003.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Since 1945, the Mount Lemmon Sawmill Co. & Restaurant, also known as the Mount Lemmon Inn, had been a fixture in the small community of Summerhaven atop the Santa Catalina Mountains. Early in the morning of April 29, 1977, after the establishment had closed for the evening, a fire started in the ground-floor dance hall. The old landmark was destroyed within a few hours. In the aftermath that day, waitress Phyliss Huisgen sat by the still-smoldering ruins. The original lodge had been built by Tony Zimmerman as a restaurant and country store. A two-story structure, once used as a 12-room hotel, was added on in the early 1950s.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Skiers enjoy opening day at Ski Valley. Scores of others had the same idea as traffic lined up to take advantage of the snow which was estimated to be between 27-36 inches deep at Ski Valley.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Lindsay Heimbach goes airborne while sledding down a hill on Mt. Lemmon. Scores of others had the same idea as traffic lined up to take advantage of the snow which was estimated to be between 27-36 inches deep at Ski Valley.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Members of the Tucson Ethnic Dance Ensemble perform during the first weekend of Oktoberfest at Ski Valley on Mt. Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
People enjoy live music in the beneath the shade of trees and under the large tent during the Music on the Mountain councert series on Mount Lemmon in Summerhaven.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Runners make their way through the congested main street of Summerhaven towards the finish of the Half Marathon portion of Mount Lemmon Marathon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
A lone ponderosa pine tree stands on the edge of Inspiration Point as icicles flow off of granite rocks nearby after a Winter storm.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Elik Essif walks along waist-high ponderosa pine along the Aspen Trail on Mount Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
The Living Rainbow Gift Shop owner Debbie Fagan shovels out snow from her business in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon after a winter storm brought a few inches of snow to the area.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
A stuffed bear, Bart, has a fun ride on the Skyride at Ski Valley on Mt. Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Pima County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Deputy Steve West prepares to belay Southern Arizona Rescue Association president Brian Duffy during a multi-agency ropes training drill at the Windy Point overlook near Mount Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Boy Scouts standing at attention outside of their tents at Camp Lawton in June of 1921 on Mt. Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
With their global positioning devices around their necks, geocaching teacher Polly Tanner leads student Sami Barghout across granite rocks at Windy Point Vista area near Mount Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Aspen trees change their colors for Fall along the Mint Spring trail atop Mt. Lemmon.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
A pack of riders pedals up the grade under the early morning sun during the early going in the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association's annual Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Students set up a tent during the annual St. Gregory College Preparatory School freshman retreat at Camp Lawton on Mount Lemmon. After a day full of team-building exercises, the students spent the evening coming up with skits and hanging out around a camp fire before sleeping under the stars.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
A truck pulling a trailer gets an early start on the Labor Day holiday as it travels up the Mount Lemmon highway near Windy Point.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
Adam Block guides the 24-inch telescope via the computer as he takes visitors through an astronomy program at the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter.
Mt. Lemmon: A busy mountain
David Medford and his dog Gus man the Lemmon Rock Fire Lookout in the Catalina Mountains.
Scientists are smart.
Scientists were pioneers of Mount Lemmon, the peak often used as shorthand reference for the entire Santa Catalina Mountain Range.
Perhaps you don't recall strolling along the sidewalks of Summerhaven.