beauty

A few miles up the Catalina Highway on Mt Lemmon, the saguaros all disappear.


They're replaced by other types of cacti and other succulents.


Cholla flower, up close.

Several miles up, the mountains look almost prairie-like.

More prairie. The temp had already dropped a good 10 degrees at this point.


Ancient tree near the vista.


More hills.


Near the very top, the terrain turns into heavily wooded forest. This is overlooking the San Juan river valley.


Rock formation, -20 degrees in temperature.


At the end of the highway is a little village called Summerhaven. The Mt. Lemmon Cafe's pies are your reward for the 28 mile drive.