Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Mint Spring/Marshall Gulch/Aspen Loop Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
October 23, 2021
|
| |
Trip Report :
September 22, 2018
|
| |
Trip Report :
August 8, 2015
|
| where |
Tucson |
| the hike |
At over 7500 feet elevation we will be as high as some of the trails in Flagstaff.
Start at the Mint Spring Trailhead. After about 1.7 miles we will reach
the Marshall Saddle, a crossroads of several trails.
From here we will take the Marshall Gulch trail down into a valley with running water.
After another 1.2 miles we will arrive at the Marshall Gulch picnic area where
we’ll stop for a restroom and snack break.
Then we will head up the Aspen trail which takes us through riparian areas and
pine forests, past bare granite walls, arriving back at the Marshall Saddle
after 2.2 miles.
From here we will follow the Mint Spring trail back to the starting point.
Mount Lemmon is susceptible to sudden monsoon storms, so come prepared.
|
| distance |
8.73 miles |
| time |
5-6 hours |
| EC |
+-1669' elevation change |
| elevations |
7660' (trailhead), 7905' (highest point),
7215' (lowest point, Marshall Gulch picnic area) |
| type |
balloon/lollipop loop |
| starting at |
| Mint Spring Trailhead |
32.440° N, 110.766° W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
100% —
Mint Spring Trail #20, Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Aspen Trail #93 |
| rating |
"B"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
Sharing gas expenses with the driver.
The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather |
Tucson |
| meet |
9:00 AM at Mint Spring Trailhead |
| drive |
| • |
Take I-10 east towards Tucson. |
| • |
When in Tucson take exit 256 for Grant Road. |
| • |
Head east on Grant Road 8.5 miles to the intersection
with Tanque Verde Road. |
| • |
Turn left onto Tanque Verde Road and follow for 2 miles to
the intersection with Catalina Highway.
|
| • |
Turn left onto Catalina Highway and follow for 4.5 miles,
where it becomes Mount Lemmon Highway.
|
| • |
Continue on Mount Lemmon Highway, which becomes General Hitchcock
Highway and Sabino Canyon Park, for about 25 miles.
|
| • |
When passing through the town of Summerhaven, look for the brown “Carter
Canyon Rd/Mint Spring Trailhead” sign and turn right onto Carter Canyon Road.
|
| • |
Follow for about 0.5 miles to the end of the pavement. |
| • |
There is a parking area off the right side of the road.
All roads are paved and passable by any vehicle.
|
| Approximate driving time from the Phoenix meeting location is 2 hours
40 minutes. |
|