We loved the Tucson area so much in March that we took advantage of cheap air fares to return in October. The weather was a lot warmer - mid-90s - so we drove up into the mountains north of the city for a day. Tucson is around 2500 feet above sea level; within a bit over an hour one can be pushing 8000 feet, leaving the desert and entering conifer forest - and 25 degrees cooler. The views were wonderful. This is a 2-shot panorama taken about 1/2-way up; Tucson is way in background.