Butterfly Loop, Mt Lemmon

First we stopped for a quick group shot. The trail began as long, gradual slope down the side of the ridge, through thick forests of ponderosa pine and fir. Through the trees we caught a glimpse of the large mine complex at San Manuel with its two smokestacks. The trail circled the basin and then switch backed steeply down the mountain. 

There is a slight uphill trek before the trail leveled off and dropped into a ravine where we saw water trickling. The ravines were beautiful with a few butterflies hovering around. After climbing out of the ravine, the trail wound along the side of another hill and then dropped into a larger ravine. We lunched on the trail and rock outcroppings above Novio Springs. 

The trail crossed the creek and we began to climb out of the canyon. ( Note: "A side trip to a 1957 F-86 Sabrejet crash site was too remote to remove wreckage that can be found about 200 yards off the trail.") We didn't find the Sabrejet crash site. The trail switch backed steeply out of the canyon, where we saw scrub oak and fir trees. 

We stopped briefly (to catch our breath) at an overlook of the San Pedro River, visible as a line of green down on the plains below. At one point we were threatened with rain, we even felt a few sprinkles. Some of the group climbed atop a large boulder long enough to have their photo taken from a distance. Until a thunder clap shooed them down in a hurry! 

The trail was a steep but gradual climb, with a few areas of very steep climbing. We felt it took longer than we expected but then we were back to civilization at the Palisades Ranger Station, and our shuttle car! Returning home, some of us stopped at Dairy Queen for a quick treat while others made plans to stop for dinner. It was a great hike. 

The above listed trip reports--documenting day hikes, backpacking trips, and car camping trips organized and arranged by the Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Inc.--are meant to be more of a record of the various events performed by the hiking club and are not meant to be the only guide for anyone else wishing to do the same hike or backpacking trip. Instead, they should only be used as a supplemental to an official guidebook that addresses that specific hike or backpacking trip. Natural changes (floods, fires, windstorms, etc.) can occur and change and alter the landscape. The Forest Service sometimes changes the routing of a trail. Trail junction signs can be removed or altered. For these reasons, the hiking club's trip reports and even the official guidebooks may no longer be totally accurate in describing the trail and its layout. There is always the possibility, however remote, of a hiker sustaining harm or injury while on any hike, no matter how safe it may initially seem. The Arizona Trailblazer's Hiking Club, Inc., as well as any of its officers, directors, representatives, and designated hike leaders, disclaims any liability or responsibility for accidents, injuries, damages, or losses whatsoever that may occur to anyone using the trip reports that are available on our website. The responsibility for good health and safety while hiking, backpacking, or camping, ultimately rests with the individual.