land roving
Catalinas loop offers cool respite from hot city
By Doug Kreutz
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.06.2008
MARSHALL GULCH — You could ramble briskly through this shady, streamside haven on a vigorous seven-mile loop hike high in the Catalina Mountains.
Or you could slow the pace, take a brief break and bask in the fashion of a recent visitor, Tiffany Cook.
She found a comfortable spot on a big boulder, cracked open a book and read a few chapters while savoring a natural soundtrack of trickling water and trilling bird song.
But about that seven-mile hike.
The route, which includes segments of three trails, can be completed easily in a few hours — even with a leisurely stop in Marshall Gulch.
At altitudes between 7,000 and 8,000 feet, the trails traverse forests of oak, pine, fir and aspen — including several areas that burned in the 2003 Aspen Fire.
Hit the trail
The route begins at the trailhead for the Sunset Trail, which is between Mileposts 22 and 23 on the Catalina Highway northeast of Tucson.
Set off on the 1.6-mile Sunset Trail, which follows an old road for about 0.4 of a mile before reaching a signed turnoff on the right where the trail leaves the road.
Trek the trail past an overlook point known as Sunset Rock to Marshall Gulch, a recreation and picnic area about a mile south of the village of Summerhaven.
In Marshall Gulch, pick up the signed Aspen Trail and follow it 2.5 miles to Marshall Saddle. Short spur trails along the way lead to rock outcrops where you'll get big views of the surrounding mountains and canyons.
At Marshall Saddle, get on the Marshall Gulch Trail and follow it 1.2 miles back to the gulch. From there — perhaps after a stop to read a chapter of a book from your backpack — retrace your route over the Sunset Trail to the starting point.
The total distance is 6.9 miles — but you'll probably walk another 0.1 of a mile seeking out a good spot for a reading break.
Get there
Take Tanque Verde Road to the Catalina Highway and proceed to the trailhead on the left side of the road past Milepost 22. The U.S. Forest Service charges a $5 fee on the highway.
● Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192.
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