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Experience an alpine escape near the summit of Mt. Lemmon.


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Map Key

3.8

Miles

6.1

KM

83%

Runnable

8,153' 2,485 m

High

7,433' 2,266 m

Low

814' 248 m

Up

831' 253 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

Overview

A lovely creek, big views over Tucson (and the entire Mt. Lemmon area), an aspen forest, and cool temps make this a great run on a summer day. Starting on Marshall Gulch Trail #3, run up a gentle grade in deep shade next to a creek—even the hotter days are more comfortable here than on most other trails. The terrain is easy to navigate with only a few rocky sections, although it's a very popular area so you'll likely encounter a lot of other trail users.

Need to Know

This loop is great in either direction, but Lower Aspen Trail #93 is significantly steeper, so the direction shown (starting on Marshall Gulch Trail #3) makes for an easier climb.

Runner Notes

Parts of the Lower Aspen Trail #93 are too steep to run. Most of the rest of this is very enjoyable though. The altitude will take a big toll!

Description

Starting from the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area, head up the singletrack path just to the right (north) of the bathrooms. Watch out for some poison ivy near the trailhead. There is a creek nearby, and, depending upon the time of year, you'll have a few wet areas to navigate. While it gains over 500 feet in just over a mile and a quarter, it's never steep in any one spot, so it's a comfortable climb to Marshall Saddle.

From the saddle, take a left (south) on Lower Aspen Trail #93. Continue running uphill (more than you might have guessed) through pine forests. Pass over a ridge with great views over Tucson before starting your descent down to the trailhead. Finally, you enter an aspen forest with a high density of very small aspen trees. The trail gets quite steep here, but it ends fairly quickly.

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 24 votes

#1

in Mt. Lemmon

#593

Overall
  4.3 from 24 votes
5 Star
42%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Mt. Lemmon

#33

in Arizona

#593

Overall
81 Views Last Month
12,023 Since Sep 22, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

The creek in Marshall Gulch
Mar 28, 2018 near Oracle, AZ
Through the aspens on the Aspen Trail
Mar 28, 2018 near Tanque…, AZ
Big views on the Lower Aspen Trail
Sep 22, 2017 near Oracle, AZ
Trail junction at Marshall Saddle
Mar 28, 2018 near Oracle, AZ
Hiking up Marshall Gulch
Sep 22, 2017 near Oracle, AZ
Along the Aspen Trail
Mar 28, 2018 near Oracle, AZ

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 65 days ago
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