Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Santa Catalina Highway, otherwise known as the Mt. Lemmon Highway, the Sky Island Scenic Byway, and the General Hitchcock Highway, is said to be one of the most scenic drives in the Southwest. The road climbs from the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona to over 9,000 feet in elevation at the top of Mt. Lemmon, offering amazing views along the way.
When we started the day, there was an excessive heat warning in Tucson, with the temperature well over 100 degrees. As we climbed the mountain the temperature began to drop and it was around 30 degrees cooler by the time we got to the top.
Along the way we traveled through a number of different biological environments. They say the drive is equivalent to driving from Mexico to Canada in the type of environments you travel through along the 24 mile drive. We also check out the history of the road as we head up.
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The Santa Catalina Highway, otherwise known as the Mt. Lemmon Highway, the Sky Island Scenic Byway, and the General Hitchcock Highway, is said to be one of the most scenic drives in the Southwest. The road climbs from the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona to over 9,000 feet in elevation at the top of Mt. Lemmon, offering amazing views along the way.
When we started the day, there was an excessive heat warning in Tucson, with the temperature well over 100 degrees. As we climbed the mountain the temperature began to drop and it was around 30 degrees cooler by the time we got to the top.
Along the way we traveled through a number of different biological environments. They say the drive is equivalent to driving from Mexico to Canada in the type of environments you travel through along the 24 mile drive. We also check out the history of the road as we head up.
○ Gear we use: amazon.com/shop/sidetrackadventures
►Please subscribe for weekly updates showcasing some of our adventures: youtube.com/channel/UCdueDRFYPVgzPAAOM_bxVWA?sub_confirmation=1
►Also please follow Sidetrack Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/sidetrackadventures
►Music in this video is from Epidemic Sounds; use our link for a free trial: share.epidemicsound.com/v927fj
