Catalina Mountains, Arizona
October 26, 2005

The Catalina Mountains are due north of our Tucson home ~ we even have a decent view of the mountains right from our front yard!  To get to the top, we only need to drive about two miles from our house to the Catalina Highway, then 25 miles up the side of the mountain.  Although the road is fairly straight as mountain roads go, at times the drop-offs beside the road will put your heart in your throat!  J  At the far end of the Catalina Highway is a small town named Summerhaven.  Since the temperatures there average 20F ~ 30F degrees less than Tucson year around, Summerhaven is a place to go to get away from Tucson's summer heat, as well as a place where winter sports can be enjoyed.

This web page is actually made up of three different trips up the Catalinas.  The first trip was made 10/26/04, on Bill's 60th birthday.  Unfortunately the weather was bad and the road was closed for construction about 1/3 the way up, so we took a few pictures and then returned home.  L

The second trip took place 7/30/05 with the Old Pueblo Miata Club, located here in Tucson.  On this trip we drove with the group up the mountain, shared a meal with the club members, then took our time driving down the mountain.  Unfortunately though, the weather on this trip was also poor.  Please note that Arizona weather is usually sunny, we just were unlucky ~ two trips in a row!  L

The third trip was made on Bill's 61th birthday ~ for this trip the weather was fine!  We used the date of the last trip in the above heading, even though the photos are from all three trips.  The following are 48 of the "best of the best" of all the pictures that were taken by Bonnie and I . . . enjoy!

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Sign at the bottom of the mountain.	We're up the mountain just a few miles.  This and the next 5 pictures are views of Tucson, left to right.
			Directly behind where we took the preceding pictures is this hill, covered with saguaros!
	Bonnie enjoying the view.	This little guy was crossing the road ~ Bill ran interference until he (she?) got to the other side.  J	Tucson viewed from higher up the mountain.
There are great rock formations everywhere!
		This is my favorite ~ look closely and you'll see an Indian with children.	Looks like somebody took a turn a little too fast!  L
Oops ~ that's gonna leave a mark!	A sign at one of the "vistas" along the way.  This and the next 4 pictures were taken at this location.
		We're nearly at the top of the mountain.	Views from the top, left to right.
The terrain changes dramatically during the 25 mile drive up the mountain!			Barnum Rock.
During the winter, the skiing is supposed to be great up here!  This and the next 5 pictures were taken in Ski Valley.		The aspens are showing their fall colors.
		This and the next 3 pictures were taken at the top of the mountain in Summerhaven.
Interesting how this tree is growing!		A happy Catalina tourist . . .	. . . and another!  J