Mt Lemmon, AZ

Mt Lemmon is a monster climb.  Almost 28 miles long and 5600 feet of climbing.  It’s hard to find that combination in Colorado, and yet, here is a more or less year-round climb in the middle of the SW desert.  The starting point for this ride is the parking lot at the Roy Drachman Regional Park.  For a shorter climb, there is a good pull-out 5.1 miles into the climb (from the park).  The fee station is just under 8 miles into the climb, and Molino campground is just over 8 miles into the climb. 

I found a pretty good description of the area itself at: http://azentertain.com/tucson/mtlemmon/information.html

I rode this climb in February 2009 and found it absolutely fantastic.  Apart from the leg burning constant 5% to 6% grade, with a segment in the middle approaching 9%, the scenery was spectacular, the air crisp, and the views of Tucson and the Arizona desert simply amazing.  You can take advantage the many pull-out for a rest and to take in the views.  This is one incredible climb.