Scenic Drives
Control Road
This rough, winding road that snakes up the northeastern slopes of
the Santa Catalinas was the first major access route built to the
upper
reaches of the Santa Catalina Mountains. While some residents refer
to the road as the Old Mt. Lemmon Highway, the name “Control
Road” is as old as the route itself. When this was the only road
up the mountain, it was so narrow in some places that, if two cars
met going in opposite directions, they would be unable to pass. The
only way to avoid total gridlock was to “control” the
road by making its narrow upper segment a one-way road on which the
direction
of travel was switched at regular intervals.
Though the Control Road has been replaced by the paved Catalina Highway
as the major access route to the mountain top, it still serves
as a popular sight-seeing
route for those willing to brave a little rough driving. (It’s been made
a little wider, too.)
In addition to the fact it is not paved, the Control Road differs from
the Catalina Highway in another significant way. The highway, and
most of the
trails that
scale the Santa Catalinas, are concentrated on the range’s southwestern
slopes. The Control Road winds down Mt. Lemmon’s northeastern shoulder,
offering a different perspective on the mountain and its surroundings.
If you approach the old road via the Catalina Highway, it drops off
a high ridge just north of the Loma Linda Picnic Area. As it winds
its way down
the mountain,
through an area of old mines and ranches, the road provides broad overlooks
of the grassy, oak-covered foothills to the east. In the distance, the
San Pedro
Valley stretches to the Galiuro Range. Farther in the distance, the upper
slopes of the Pinaleño Mountains and their northern neighbors, the Santa Teresas,
are visible through low passes in the Galiuros. The stacks and tailings ponds
of the copper smelter at San Manuel complete the panorama.
Attractions:
Broad panoramas/sky island views
Subalpine to desert diversity
Historic mining, ranching area
Dispersed camping and picnicking
Developed camping/picnicking (Peppersauce)
Location: From the town of Oracle to the upper reaches of Mt. Lemmon.
Access: From the town of Oracle, follow The Old Mt. Lemmon Road to
the Forest boundary where it becomes FR 38 and continue up the
mountain. From Tucson,
follow the Catalina Highway to milepost 24.5 , just beyond the
Loma Linda
Picnic Area,
and turn right (northeast) onto FR 38. Follow FR 38 (the Control
Road) straight past the Mt. Lemmon Fire Station and a road that forks
to
the right and continue
down the mountain.
Mileage/Driving Time: Allow 4 hours minimum for a round trip up
the Catalina Highway, down the Control Road, through Oracle and
back
to Tucson. The
Control Road makes up about 25 miles of this loop.
Elevation: 4,600'-8,000'
Season: Open year-round, but can be snow covered and impassable
in winter.
Road Conditions: This gravel road is suitable for high clearance
vehicles. It may be closed during winter storms or require 4-wheel
drive or chains.
For further information, contact: Santa
Catalina Ranger District. |
