Yesterday, I visited Rose Canyon Lake in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

This small lake is a short drive from Tucson, and because it is at a much higher elevation than Tucson, the air temperature is much cooler. Rose Canyon Lake is at about 7000 feet (2134 m) in elevation, while the elevation at the Tucson International Airport is only 2641 feet (805 m).

This lake is surrounded by Ponderosa Pines, and although this area burned during the devastating Aspen Fire of 2003, many of the larger trees survived. Even though the fire happened years ago, touching the bark of many of these trees will still leave your hands covered in black soot.

I don't know how Rose Canyon Lake got its name, but wild roses can be found growing in the canyon around the lake.

Catalina Highway, the road to Rose Canyon Lake and Mt. Lemmon, is very scenic, and the lower areas are lined with bizarre rock formations.