Control Road Snow, Crystal Spring Falls – 12/26/2016

December 2016.
The top of the Control Road – snowy and gated. December 2016.

I would be surprised if the Control Road came up in discussions about ‘Best Hiking Destinations in the Santa Catalina Mountains’ – and with good reason, there are so many great trails on the mountain that a long hike on a frequently driven high-clearance dirt road is a hard sell… But in winter, with sections of the road closed to vehicles, especially with the road blanketed in snow, the top of the road becomes an incredible hike! The wide road is easy to follow (even in enough snow to obscure many other trails), there are great views, tall trees, no vehicles and you can connect to the Crystal Spring Trail – well worth considering!

December 2016.
Sun, Shade and Snow – enjoying the snow on the Control Road. December 2016.
December 2016.
Falls just below the Crystal Spring Trail. December 2016.
December 2016.
Sunset from the Control Road. December 2016.