| Santa Catalina Mountains | |
|---|---|
 Santa Catalina Mountains seen from the east side of the city of Tucson, Arizona | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Lemmon, N of Summerhaven |
| Elevation | 9,157 ft (2,791 m) |
| Coordinates | 32°26′35″N 110°47′17″W / 32.443°N 110.788°W |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 18 mi (29 km) E–W |
| Width | 14 mi (23 km) |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Madrean Sky Islands |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Regions | |
| Counties | |
| Communities | |
| Geology | |
| Rock ages |
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| Rock type | Intrusive igneous rock (granite) |
The Santa Catalina Mountains, commonly referred to as the Catalina Mountains or the Catalinas, are north and northeast of Tucson in Arizona, United States, on Tucson's north perimeter. The mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation. The highest point in the Catalinas is Mount Lemmon at an elevation of 9,157 feet (2,791 m) above sea level and receives 18 inches (460 mm) of precipitation[1] annually.
Originally known by the Tohono O'odham Nation as Babad Do'ag,[2] the Catalinas were later named in 1697 by Italian Jesuit priest Eusebio Francisco Kino in honor of St. Catherine who was the patron saint of Kino's oldest sister.[3]
The Catalinas are part of the Santa Catalina Ranger District located in the Coronado National Forest, and also include the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area. The mountain range is considered a prominent range in the Madrean sky islands, and partially delimits the mountain ranges in the northwest of the sky island region; lower elevation bajadas associated with the Santa Cruz River Valley spread northwestwards towards Phoenix.
Catalina Sky Survey (CSS), on Mt. Lemmon, is a project to discover comets and asteroids, and to search for near-Earth objects (NEOs). More specifically, CSS is to search for any potentially hazardous asteroids that may pose a threat of impact. Its southern hemisphere counterpart, the Siding Spring Survey (SSS) was closed in 2013.
The Catalinas are a significant focus of recreational activity, with areas such as Sabino Canyon providing streams and perennial pools for visitors, by road access; Sabino Canyon is also a dayhiking access point. Catalina State Park in the western foothills of the Catalinas attracts visitors for its hiking opportunities and permanent pools in Romero Canyon. The village of Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon serves as a popular summer retreat from the heat of Arizona's lower deserts. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is also notable as it is the southernmost ski destination in the United States.
Other mountain ranges surrounding the Santa Cruz Valley include the Santa Rita Mountains, the Rincon Mountains, the Tucson Mountains, and the Tortolita Mountains.
- ^ "Winter Weather in Southern Arizona | SkyCenter". skycenter.arizona.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ Santa Catalina Mountains, Moon Handbooks: Arizona. Retrieved 2010-03-12
- ^ Leavengood, Betty (2004-08-01). Tucson Hiking Guide. ISBN 978-0-87108-935-9.