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| Hiking | 7.08 Miles |
1,186 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.08 Miles | 3 Hrs 12 Mns | | 2.21 mph |
| 1,186 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I started at Butterfly Trailhead, as it has a picnic table and pit toilet. (Which smelled hideous, and had a cleaning chart with no entries for July!) 
At Soldiers Camp Trailhead, the dirt road splits three ways. After five minutes of confusion, I figured out I should take the middle option. When the road splits again. Stay left. When it splits a third time, follow trail signs onto Trail #90. The sign claiming it is “1.6 miles” to Marshall Gulch, and “0.5 miles” back to the highway, is not even remotely accurate: It is 1.2 miles, total.
At ½ mile from the trailhead, there is an excellent view point down Sabino Canyon. Much of the next half mile is off camber granite. I took my time. At the bottom of the canyon, Trail #90 turns north. On the opposite side of the canyon, atop a bare rock wall, is the Trail #93 view point.
It took me a minute to find the start of Trail #93. From Trail #90, make a sharp turn back to your left. Trail #93 begins climbing, passing through shady pines. The second Sabino Canyon view point is at 1.4 miles. A group of other retired guys were taking a break there.
Trail #93 pitches up, gaining 600 ft. in just under a mile. The post-fire foliage is dense, gradually petering out. I was glad I had applied SPF 90 back at the trailhead. At 2.2 miles, Trail #93 reaches a stand of still surviving pine trees.
If you head up (right), you will gain the Marshall Peak ridgeline in fifty relatively brushless feet. Then work your way (left) across the burn area. That way any brush you negotiate is on a less severe incline (12.7%).
Instead, I stuck to the GPS track I was following. Trail #93 works the 8130 ft. contour for the next 0.8 miles. At 2.5 miles, there is a clear view southwest to Tucson.
At 2.8 miles, Trail #93 reached the point I was expecting to take to the summit. I was hoping for, but not expecting, a trail. And there was none. Not even a crushed vegetation use-path through the copious, deadfall strewn, brush. I looked up the 26.7% grade, saw dark clouds gathering above the summit, and decided “no thanks”. 
At 3.0 miles, there is an obstacle-free draw (11.8% grade) up to the ridgeline that pairs with the easier approach a half mile back. I’ll take that route in the future. From that draw, Trail #93 descends to Marshall Saddle at 3.7 miles.
Riparian, and undamaged by fire, Trail #3 descends 500 ft. in 1.3 miles, back to Marshall Gulch Trailhead. As popular as it is, I was surprised there was no one else on it. However, I did bump into one hiker on Trail #90, which was much easier heading up.
After I finished my hike, my wife & I chatted at the picnic table. She said that most of the people who headed down Butterfly Trail #16 were only gone a brief while. The exception was a couple who rolled up arguing, then disappeared into the stanky pit toilet, continuing to fight. (And apparently not ... uh ... "make up".)
Rumble Video: https://rumble.com/v6wgalk-hiking-marsh ... tains.html
Vimeo Video: https://vimeo.com/1102985344 |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
Besides the photos, also spotted yellow columbine, aromatic false pennyroyal, western evening primrose, spreading fleabane, mullein, alpine false springparsley, and pygmy bluet. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Stayed at highest campground. Could actually hang outside.
Trail was easy to follow. Although it is steep. Reached radio ridge and took a break. Nearby trail is a bit difficult to locate.
after the junction with the aspen trail, we headed up the ridge to take in some great views. I was astounded by the sheer volume of multicolored wild flowers. I was not expecting to see so many this late in the season, so it was a real treat! 
Spring is full but no appreciable flow. Water looks clean and easy to collect. 
As I approached radio ridge it sounded like there were jet planes overhead; turns out it was the wind blowing through the towers.I was actually thankful for the wind, which was mostly pushing me uphill and kept temperatures reasonable. The views on the final ascent are pretty neat. 
