Meadow Loop
Length: 0.4 to 1.8 miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 364 ft
Driving Directions to Trailhead
Note: The Meadow Loop hike departs from the Mount Lemmon Recreation Area which is location at the end of Ski Run Road. Ski Run Road is closed annually from December 15 to March 1, with the closure sometimes being extended into April if winter conditions persist.
From Palisades Visitor Center continue up Catalina Highway towards Summerhaven for 4.5 miles and make a right on Ski Run Road. (If you arrive in Summerhaven you’ve gone too far.) Follow Ski Run Road for 3.2 miles, passing Ski Valley, and winding upward to where the road ends at the Mount Lemmon Recreation Area. Park here. (Parking can be crowded on weekends.) The trail begins on the west side of the parking lot running through a small stand of Aspens next to a chainlink fence.
Hike Overview
At the start of the hike you will quickly reach a junction where Meadow Trail heads to the right and the Mount Lemmon Trail, which looks like a dirt road, goes to the left. Stay right on Meadow Trail. As the trail contours around you will see buildings uphill to your north. These are part of the Mt Lemmon Observatory quarters. As the trail wraps back to the south, large trees give way to a meadow and a clear view to the south will begin opening up presenting an expansive view down the mountain’s hillside. At certain times of year the meadow will have a variety of wildflowers and an occasional raspberry bush giving the space pops of vibrant colors. Many visitors choose to end their hike here, enjoy the scenery, and eventually return back the way you came.
If you wish to press on, you can turn the hike into a 1.6 mile loop by connecting to Mt Lemmon Trail. To do this continue southwest on Meadow Trail. Up to this point the trail has been mostly flat, but here the trail will begin to descend back into the shade of some large evergreens switchbacking down to the intersection of Mt Lemmon Trail. Go east (left) on Mt Lemmon Trail. The path is wide and continues to offer stunning views to the south. The trail will take you passed a small spring and then to a junction with Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail #12. (If you’d like to visit the Lookout you can do a half mile side hike down Lemmon Lookout Trail. The building itself is not open to visitors.) Once passed the Lemmon Lookout Trail junction the Mount Lemmon Trail begins climbing back up to the junction with Meadow Trail and the Mount Lemmon Recreation Area parking lot where you will conclude your hike.
Safety
Be sure to visit the Know Before You Go page for additional safety information.
