Marshall Gulch Trail, FS #3
(Marshall Gulch to Marshall Saddle)

This trail climbs from the end of the road in Marshall Gulch up to Marshall Saddle through dense pine/fir forest. The trail is in very good condition.

The trail starts on the west side of the parking area at the end of the road, about 10 yards to the right of the restrooms. There is a trail that begins right at the restrooms, but that is not the Marshall Gulch Trail. You can identify the Marshall Gulch Trail because it has a sign, and it takes off straight up the hill from the parking lot.

After the short steep stretch at the beginning, the trail contours up a valley on its right hand slope through dense pine/fir forest. The stream in the valley almost always has water in it, though in the driest months it may only be occasional pools.

The trail crosses the stream a couple of times, and then heads up and away from the stream to the left. The trail then climbs up and comes to Marshall Saddle.

Marshall Saddle is a signed trail junction of a number of trails. One sign indicates that the Aspen Trail, FS #93, takes off to the left and the right (north and south), and the Wilderness of Rocks Trail, FS #44, continues straight ahead (west). Another sign says that the Mint Spring Trail, FS #20, takes off to the right (northeast).

Proceed straight (north) on the Wilderness of Rocks Trail.

Wilderness of Rocks Trail, FS #44
(Marshall Saddle to Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail)

This trail segment goes from Marshall Saddle to the intersection with the Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail. This segment is in fair condition.

As you leave Marshall Saddle the thick pine forest promptly disappears, and is replaced by open pine forest (little shade) mixed with large boulders and rock formations. The trail twists and turns as it descends over and around the rock formations, and occasionally you have to rely on cairns to find the route.

After passing through the rock formations the trail continues through open ponderosa forest, and then follows along the bottom of a small drainage for a while. After leaving the drainage bottom the trail gets into rock formations again before reaching the junction with the Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail, FS #12, which takes off to the right.

Continue straight ahead on the Wilderness of Rocks trail here.

Wilderness of Rocks Trail, FS #44
(Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail to Mt. Lemmon Trail)

Wilderness of Rocks, looking towards Mt. Lemmon

Campsite next to Lemmon Creek

Wilderness of Rocks

Lemmon Creek at junction with trail

More interesting rock formations.

This segment connects the Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail to the Mt. Lemmon Trail, traveling without much elevation change through the heart of the Wilderness of Rocks. The area is almost all open pine forest (little shade) with large rock formations. Because the Wilderness of Rocks is relatively flat (for the Catalinas) and open, it is easy to wander off the trail and explore.

From the junction with the Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail, the Wilderness of Rocks trail continues straight (right turn from Lemmon Rock Lookout Trail), descending slightly. After a short distance you cross a small stream, which usually has at least some pools of water in it, which is immediately followed by a small shady park (i.e. stand of ponderosa pine).

From here the trail goes up and down over small hills until you come to a second, larger, park with larger trees. This second park is very beautiful, and looks like it would make a nice campsite.

The next landmark is where the trail crosses Lemmon Creek in a dense (i.e. shady) stand of ponderosa. There is a nice campsite here, and the creek almost always has water in it. From this point the trail winds through the rock formations, and then climbs up to the junction with the Mt. Lemmon Trail. At this junction the Wilderness of Rocks Trail ends, and the Mt. Lemmon Trail goes to the left and right.

Turn right here, to begin ascending up the Mt. Lemmon Trail.

Mt. Lemmon Trail, FS #5
(Wilderness of Rocks Trail to Sutherland Trail)

Trail junction of the Mt. Lemmon Trail and the Wilderness of Rocks Trail. Sign is typical of those found at almost every trail junction in the Catalinas.

This segment of the Mt. Lemmon Trail travels up from the junction with the Wilderness of Rocks Trail to the junction with the Sutherland Trail

After leaving the junction with the Wilderness of Rocks Trail, the trail climbs uphill through an area of rock formations and occasional pine trees, with views to the north and south as the trail wanders around near the crest of the ridge. After awhile you come to a more forested area, followed by an area which has been badly damaged by fire.

The trail then comes to a flat and open area among living pines, where the Sutherland Trail comes in from the left, and the Mt. Lemmon Trail continues on the opposite side of the opening. There are two trail signs here, one showing which way the two trails go, the other giving distances to various points.

Continue on the Mt. Lemmon trail, which is the dirt road on the opposite side of the clearing.

Mt. Lemmon Trail, FS #5
(Sutherland Trail to Meadow Trail)

A view towards the front range of the Catalinas from the Mt. Lemmon Trail.

This segment runs from the intersection with the Meadow Trail to the intersection with the Sutherland Trail.

From here, the Mt. Lemmon Trail is basically a dirt road, though it is closed to public access. The trail runs through thick fir forest, with occasional views down towards Sabino Basin.

This segment ends when you reach a signed junction with the Meadow Trail, which takes off to the left. Since you are walking on a wide dirt road, and the Meadow Trail is just a footpath, you will need to keep an eye out for it.

Turn left on the Meadow Trail.

Meadow Trail, FS #5A
(Mt. Lemmon Trail to summit of Mt. Lemmon)

The meadows along the Meadow Trail.

Another view of the meadows.

This short trail parallels the top end of the Mt. Lemmon Trail, rejoining it very near the end of the Mt. Lemmon Trail. The Meadow Trail is much prettier than the part of the Mt. Lemmon Trail that it bypasses, and is about the same distance.

This footpath leaves the dirt road and climbs through thick fir forest. After a relatively short climb you come to large flat park area with open meadow under large pines. This spot is very beautiful, and is certainly much more attractive than the alternative of remaining on the Mt. Lemmon trail for the last climb to the top. Towards the end you pass a small fenced-in military facility which has signs saying that the use of deadly force is authorized to prevent trespassing. Despite the dire warnings, this facility looks old and neglected. Shortly after the top secret facility you pass along the edge of the University of Arizona observatory. The trail ends at the brown gate at the top of Mt. Lemmon.

To get to the parking lot, go to the paved road about 100 yards past the brown metal gate and turn right. The parking lot is on the right just past the metal gate across the road.

From the brown gate head to the east, following the dirt road, or the trail that parallels it, downhill about 200 yards until you see a dirt parking lot just after a gate which blocks the road to vehicles. There is a fenced-in electrical substation next to the parking lot. Head over to the end of the parking lot opposite the road, and look for the trail there.

Radio Ridge Route
(Mt. Lemmon to Radio Ridge (Aspen Trail))

This is not an official forest service trail, but rather a route which connects the end of the Mt. Lemmon Trail with the trailheads of the Aspen Draw Trail and Aspen Trail.

This trail segment starts at the dirt parking lot at the end of the road near the summit of Mt. Lemmon. This parking lot has a fenced in electrical substation right next to it.

To start, go to the corner of the parking lot diagonally opposite from the electrical substation. There is a rough, unmarked track which goes downhill about 30 yards where it meets up with another unmarked trail. Take this track down to the unmarked track and turn left, heading away from the electrical substation. After going about 200 yards the trail hits the paved road at the last switchback before the parking lot. At this point there is a large dirt parking area, with a gated dirt road heading off towards all of the radio towers. Cross the dirt parking lot and take the gated dirt road. As you go down the dirt road you will pass a number of radio towers and the upper end of the ski lift.

Just past the ski lift there is a sign off to the left of the road for the Aspen Draw Trail, FS #423. This trail goes down to the bottom of the ski lift.

About 50 yards past the sign for the Aspen Draw Trail the road forks, with the left hand fork being blocked with piles of dirt, and a sign saying that it is not a USFS road or trail. The trailhead for the Aspen Trail, #93, which goes to Marshall Gulch, is a short ways down the right hand fork.

Proceed down the Aspen Trail.

Aspen Trail, FS #93
(Radio Ridge to Carter Canyon Trail)

This trail segment begins at the end of the dirt road that runs along the top of Radio Ridge, the ridge directly above the Mt. Lemmon Ski Area which has all of the radio towers on it. This entire segment is through heavy forest, and is cool and shady on even the hottest days. This trail segment is in good condition, with little overgrowth.

The beginning of this segment is confusing because old routes have been blocked off and the trail re-routed. Just follow the most heavily used track as it switchbacks down from the dirt road.

The trail starts off by switchbacking down the slope below the starting point for about 10 minutes or so, before it starts contouring along the slope to the south east.

About 15 minutes or so from the trailhead you come to an unsigned trail junction. There is a small sign here marking the boundary of the wilderness area. I believe that the trail that takes off to the left is the Carter Canyon Trail. The Aspen Trail continues straight at this intersection.

Continue straight on the Aspen Trail.

Aspen Trail, FS #93
(Carter Canyon Trail to Marshall Gulch)

This trail segment is through heavy pine/fir forest and is in good condition.

After leaving the junction the trail heads out along the top of a ridge, and then drops down and contours along the right hand slope, descending gently. From here there are occasional views of Cathedral Peak through gaps in the trees.

After a short while the trail switchbacks down the slope for a while, and then contours along the slope to the southeast again until it reaches Marshall Saddle.

Marshall Saddle is a signed trail junction of a number of trails. The first sign indicates that the Aspen Trail continues straight ahead to the south, and the Wilderness of Rocks Trail, FS #44, takes off to the right (west). The second sign says that the Mint Spring Trail, FS #20, takes off to the left (east). The third sign says that the Marshall Gulch Trail, FS #3, takes off to the left (southeast) just beyond the Mint Spring Trail.

Turn left here and go down the Marshall Gulch Trail to return to your starting point.

Marshall Gulch Trail, FS #3
(Marshall Saddle to Marshall Gulch)

This trail climbs from the end of the road in Marshall Gulch up to Marshall Saddle through dense pine/fir forest. The trail is in very good condition.