Mount Lemmon: Green Mountain Trail

Last fall I took a hike on Mount Lemmon with a friend. We started on the Green Mountain Trail and briefly sauntered onto the Brush Corral Trail, via the Brush Corral Shortcut Trail, before turning back. As we were starting our hike, we noticed the moon setting behind the opposite ridge.

I think this is some type of hedgehog cactus (genus Echinocereus), although I'm not sure which species. It was just so adorable and geometrically well-formed that I had to photograph it.

There was a whole section of the trail with these rocks that looked almost like someone had taken a marker to them and outlined every one. I think it must have been the result of iron in the rocks, but I have no idea how this particular geometry forms.

Here's the view looking out from the trail towards the northeast.

There are have been many wildfires on Mount Lemmon over the years. There are some parts where whole sections of forest have clearly burnt, and then there are some more subtle signs, as shown here.

There were many wildflowers brightening the trails. Here's an Indian paintbrush (genus Castilleja); my field guide says that there are 17 species of Castilleja in Arizona and that they are particularly hard to tell apart. While I'm tempted to rise to the challenge, as always, I think this particular one might be best for another day.



These yellow asters were plentiful and luminous. Asters are also difficult to identify, but my best is a goldeneye, maybe Heliomeris longifolia since the flowers were relatively small.

This beautiful red flowers are sometimes called California fuschia or hummingbird trumpets (Epilobium canum). Both names seem rather fitting to me.

And I think this red cluster is Heuchera sanguinea, also known as coralbells.



And now for the wildlife:



I think this is an ornate tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus), one of the most common lizards in Arizona. Apparently they range in coloration from tan to grey, making color a not-very-helpful indicator.

Sighting this Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) was particularly exciting!

Here's a closer look.

Chipmunk! Of the cliff variety (Neotamias dorsalis).

And finally, we saw mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus eremicus). We spotted them towards the end of our hike, and felt like they were the perfect ending to a wonderful outing. We just stood and watched them for quite a while.