Lizard Rock

Updated - Posted - Charles Miles
Storm over Lizard Rock - from the east ridge of Bear Canyon. July 2013.
Storm over Lizard Rock - from the east ridge of Bear Canyon. July 2013.

Overview

Not in favor with rock climbers, a bit too far from the road for a picnic, no official trail and too short to ever brag about reaching the top – all of this, plus a great rocky area on top, are what make this a fun adventure! A short – but steep/loose/sandy – off-trail hike up will take you up to views that any fan of the Santa Catalina Mountain will love, a great spot when you have time to relax and linger, perhaps bring your camera and a book…

Hike Stats

  • Out and Back
  • 0.5 miles
  • 300' Elevation Gain
  • 300' Elevation Loss
  • Highest Elevation: 7,300'
  • Lowest Elevation: 7,000'

Location

Details

  • Fee: No
  • Dogs: Yes
  • Bikes: Yes (Most of Lizard Rock is not in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness - however because this is short/off-trail and doesn't connect to other trails this is not suggested for bikes.)
  • [OffTrailWarning/]
  • Lizard Rock is split by the boundary of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness - motorized and mechanized vehicles and equipment, including mountain bikes, are not permitted in Wilderness.

Drive

  • 29.6 miles from Speedway and Campbell
  • 55 Minutes from Speedway and Campbell
  • Vehicle Access: Paved Roads/Passenger Car (Mountain Road - be careful of weather conditions!)

Lizard Rock Elevation Profile

Lizard Rock Elevation Profile

Driving Directions

Suggested driving directions from the Speedway and Campbell intersection in Tucson to the Lizard Rock Parking Pullout:

  • Drive East on Speedway (5.0 miles)
  • Left on Wilmot and continue on Tanque Verde (4.3 miles)
  • Left on Catalina Highway (20.2 miles)
  • The pullout is located on the down mountain side of the highway - if traveling up-mountain the pullout is just after two road cuts (left then right).

Google Maps Directions from the Speedway and Campbell intersection in Tucson to Lizard Rock Parking Pullout.

Sunrise on Lizard Rock. July 2013.
Sunrise on Lizard Rock. July 2013.

Trail Notes

This hike is short, and you might find some paths to the top that other hikers have used – but this is, essentially, an off-trail hike – if you are not comfortable traveling off-trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains you should not attempt this hike.

[CueListWarning]

  • 0.0 miles, 7000′: Start from the Lizard Rock Parking Pullout on the west side of the highway [Waypoint LR TH]. There are a number of paths to the top from here…
  • Take the most obvious faint path up a hill to a campsite.
  • Take a smaller path to the left – it is faint in places – this path will take you to the top!
  • 0.25 miles, 7300′: The top! [Waypoint LR01]
  • Be careful with your route down – there are a number of ‘wrong turns’ that might leave you at the top of a steep cliff…
Night on Lizard Rock - cars streaking down the General Hitchcock Highway - Barnum Rock on the skyline. June 2013.
Night on Lizard Rock - cars streaking down the General Hitchcock Highway - Barnum Rock on the skyline. June 2013.

Maps

Download GPX

Resources

Lizard rock from the east ridge of Sycamore Canyon. July 2013.
Lizard rock from the east ridge of Sycamore Canyon. July 2013.

Pictures

2013 July Lizard Rock in the Moonlight

2013 July Lizard Rock Night Sky

2013 July Lizard Rock Sunrise

2013 June Lizard Rock Sunset and Moonrise

Update Notes

  • 2017/8/17 – Add HikeLemmon posts to resources
  • 2017/8/14 – Img Srcset update, fix several typos, add an off-trail warning
  • 2014/3/23 – Added elevation profile and added simple waypoints into GPX
  • 2014/3/6 – Update to WordPress
  • 2014/1/28 – New driving directions section, slight format updates, dates in picture descriptions and link changes for pictures.
  • 2013/10/13 – new Overview Format