Hiking Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon

Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon is a great year-round hike with many shaded areas for the hot summer months. The entire trail, out and back is approximately 10.8 miles, however we’ve read about many hikers parking one vehicle at the Butterfly Trailhead and another at the Palisade Visitor Center to make this a trail a shorter 5.5 mile trek.

Escapees from Thanksgiving! George, the Irish terrorist Terrier mix we brought with us, found a group of wild turkeys at the beginning of the trail. In his excitement, he scared them away.

Abert’s Squirrel, only found in the southwest.

Trees! Glorious green coniferous trees! We could almost pretend we were back home in Washington. But not really.

With out favorite jolly Englishman (also my former boss).

It snows in Tucson every once in a while.

George, the Irish terrorist Terrior mix frolicking in the fallen leaves. He’s a rambunctious fellow and takes after his dad (the jolly Englishman).

Contrary to popular belief, Tucson does too have different seasons (usually they are: scorchingly hot, hot, rainy & hot).

Our pooped out hiking group.

Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon Overview

• Coordinates: 32.42736, -110.7408
• Fees: FREE
• Difficulty: Moderately Easy
• Usage: Light
• Length: 10.8 Miles Out & Back
• Elevation: 1,095 Feet
• Pets allowed: Yes