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| Hiking | 8.51 Miles |
1,538 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.51 Miles | 3 Hrs 58 Mns | | 2.15 mph |
| 1,538 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Partners |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | As I discovered on the Potato Patch Loop [ photoset ] , in the Hualapai Mountains, two weeks ago, is that I am out of elevation gain shape. Too many flat hikes spinkled between my neighborhood walks. And Mount Lemmon’s trails are all about elevation gain (AEG). ⛰
After digging around, I hit upon the idea of an out-and-back hike on Marshall Gulch Trail #3 and Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44 to the Upper Lemmon Canyon Pools. There would be decent mountain temps, shade, enough AEG to stretch my current limit, and a nice payoff at the end. (Actually, midway.)
There’s not much parking at the Marshall Gulch trailhead, and when my wife & I arrived at 9:00 a.m. it was already full. (On a Friday!)
As I was waiting for my crappy Garmin 62S to find satellites, another hiker remarked that there were no flies in the pit toilet. I responded, “Because the stench killed them.” 
It quite lush lower down on Marshall Gulch Trail #3. Higher up, it starts catching a little more sun, as burnt areas higher up on Mount Lemmon expose the trail as it meanders through fern patches and infant pine trees.
At Marshall Saddle, there is a 5-way trail intersection, but there were enough signs, it was obvious which way to go. (I saw quite a few older folks hiking the Aspen Trail #93 loop.)
Despite being a hair shallower than Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Wilderness of Rocks Trail #44 felt steeper. Besides the huge boulder formations which give the wilderness its name, the surrounding terrain was piney & more open, low to the ground. There were a number of good sitting logs that came in handy on the return trip. 
I thought about scrambling up several formations in Lemmon Canyon, but decided I needed the energy to actually climb back out.
¾ of a mile below the intersection of Lemmon Rock Trail #12, II found a decent size pool that was at least four feet deep, being fed by a very loud pour. There was a reclined scoop on the edge of the pool that I could sit in while dangling my feet in the water. I would have taken a nap there, except lack of overhead cover was frying me quick like. It's a great spot!
After a half hour of relaxation at the pool, I slowly hiked my way back up Lemmon Canyon. Grey clouds were rolling in, but it didn’t start sprinkling until just before I reached Marshall Saddle. Wanting to avoid a possible deluge, I booked it 1.5 miles back to the trailhead in only 37 minutes! 🏎
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/485960483 |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
About a dozen species scattered up & down both trails, though primarily Marshall Gulch Trail #3. New Mexico Thistle most common. One large patch of Yellow Columbine in Marshall Gulch. |
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Lemmon Pools |
51-75% full |
51-75% full |
| | | Can't really assess how full "full" is, but the one I stopped at was a good four feet deep with quite loud flow. Check out the video, above. | | _____________________
| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
