New to Tucson.

Where's the best place to go gear-less rock climbing? Off the beaten path type of thing. Any specific areas on Mount Lemmon?

Check within "meet-up", there are several clubs in the area. Sabino Canyon has a lot of good trail heads that can get you some where, Bear Canyon trail takes you to 7 Falls. Catalina Park has several trail heads, the trail to Romero Pools gets you to a good area. Picacho Peak is a fairly vertical hike. There are more and a few caverns here. The caverns are a tour though I believe. Yes, several trails on Mt. Lemmon and there is parking there, Sabino, Catalina and Picacho. There's probably more, many however are unmanned and it's an "at your own risk". Ragged Top, Newmans, Tortalitas...unmanned. Nows the time, it's not really a summer thing for treks or climbing the sunny side of the mountain.

Hey i'd do a Lemmon and hiking ride if there was interest. No serious climbing but I dig steepness. and caves, James you ever do peppersauce?

I've really only stayed with Picacho, Catalina and Sabino. I am motos only so I am a little fearful even in those parking lots to leave all my gear behind. I do run cable locks through it all, so that makes me confident enough with those 3 locations. Picacho peak is obviously somewhat limited, Sabino and Catalina has a great deal more area to explore. I haven't done much more that 7 Falls via Bear trail at Sabino. I have done 3 peaks and some other off trail hiking beyong the Romero Pools at Catalina. That's all I got.

Dean, I did Peppersauce Cave about two weeks ago.. very cool spot. I'll tell you.. if you wander into those caves without minding the area that you came from, it's *very* easy to get lost/turned around. That being said, I'm looking into obtaining the key and permit for the "Cave of the Bells", which is just west of 83 en route to Sonoita; from what I gather, it's a dirt road that goes out there though. This particular cave is another non-commercialized location that you enter at your own risk. The "Cave of the Bells" is more of a descent than Peppersauce, since it travels downwards towards an underground lake, whereas Peppersauce moves inwards into the mountain. I talked to the US Forest Service today, and got all of the details on the permit/deposit/keys required - it's free. If you're interested, or anyone else reading this is interested, let me know and maybe we can put something together.

James - thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to check out the innards and off-the-trail areas of Sabino fairly soon, as I've heard good things. As goes for anyone else, let me know if you want to get a small trip together.

Mark, I have thought about checking out the Cave of the Bells before. I have taken my ATv's out in that area before. Fun riding. We could do an off road riding/cave day.

Mark, I have thought about checking out the Cave of the Bells before. I have taken my ATv's out in that area before. Fun riding. We could do an off road riding/cave day.

Definitely, let's do it; albeit, I don't own any off-road vehicles in this state! I'm sure we can figure something out though. I'll be slapping down a deposit and reservation for the keys to the cave next week - I'm going to reserve an entire weekend in March. Once I've got a date solidified, I'll let you know and we can set up a meet.

i'm down for caving! I have a 4wd 4runner with plenty of pinstriping so no problem getting there.

If it's open, I'd be intersted, but can't say yes until I know a date and can look over the schedule. It would be great if I could possibly meet at a house to park the bike and gear.

Once the details are set I'll post it. James my house is prob the closest and your welcome to park the bike here.