Marshall Gulch Trail

Let's just get this out of the way - I am completely, totally, and wholly a hiking novice. My intermediate (she would say "advanced beginner") hiker friend thankfully planned all our hiking getaways during our Tucson stay and I'm so pleased she opted for Mount Lemmon to be one of our destinations! We arrived at Marshall Gulch Trailhead . . . a little intimidated about how to proceed so we asked some hikers, we assumed to be more seasoned than us (we were right to assume this, as nearly everyone was more experienced than us, har har) and they recommended the easier trail. I wish I could remember the specifics, but I relied on my directionally-able friend to guide us (I am truly useless)! We went counterclockwise to save us from grueling inclines, but that just meant our descent was a little trickier than we would have ideally liked, haha. A segment of our hike was on the Arizona Trail, so that was pretty cool. We then did a second much easier flatter hike. Anyway, this particular hike ended up being my favorite because of the varied elevations, beautiful views, and friendly other hikers we encountered while on our hikes!

My favorite hiking trail. Recently took my baby sister up for a drive and 3 mile hike. She was surprised that you can find peace and joy in nature. Away from the buzzing distraction of technology (minus my camera lol). We were able to get a good workout in and enjoy the refuge from Tucson heat. She enjoyed herself but wants to try a new trail. I'll definitely be back.

Camping mt. Lemmon was a wonderful experience and very fun. It's always nice to get away from the city and the heat.We did Marshalls Gulch early in the am. The trail is an easy 4 mile hike, easy to low moderate. We did the hike with out little pug and he rocked it.The trail is well maintained, amazing views throughout the hike. It also has several streams and it smells forresty. We started Marshalls gulch and followed the Aspen trail head. It has great areas to stop and admire the views, eat an orange or trail mix and just forget about the world.We will definitely do this one again. Highly recommended.

Swarms of flies swirled angrily above the sweltering pit of putrefaction, the charnel stench of excrement attracting these little coprophagic bastards from miles around. Already 80 degrees at 9:00 AM. FML. "Mom! There's bees in here!" "No, dude...it's just flies." "There's too much poop DOWN THERE!!! I CAAAAN'T GO!!!" "Stop looking! Stop touching!"As I tentatively dragged open the outhouse door for my turn, the flies descended on me mercilessly. And the smell. Sweet Satan's scrotum. And the bees. Huh...there were bees. But I really had to go. I was contemplating pitching a squat behind the outhouse, but I knew the kids would narc me out and possibly re-enact the scene back home. So...I hovered, closed my eyes, muttered an atheist prayer, and let it fly. Sweet relief. Oh yeah...the four stars is for everything else. There's a trickle of a stream for the desert kiddos to gambol around in; "easy level" hiking trails branch out from the picnic area; and the sites are fairly clean, especially given the traffic.And, as I later learned, the Cookie Cabin up the road has plumbing.