Auto trip up to Mt. Lemmon via Catalina Highway. Mt. Lemmon is located about 130 miles from Phoenix, 30 miles from Tucson and is the site of Ski Valley, the most southern ski mountain in the USA. The Catalina Highway is 30 miles of twisting, turning roadway with multiple pull-outs for picture taking or resting. Mt. Lemmon, part of the Santa Catalina Mountain range and in the Coronado National Forest, has an altitude of of 9, 157 ft. It is adjcent to the Pusch Ridge Wilderness area. The national Forest area is approx. 240 square miles and is host to varied wildlife ranging from lizards up to mountain lions and bears. Average summer temps are 30 degress cooler (81 F) than the desert floor at 110 F +.