Mt Lemmon - Marshall Aspen Loop - Optional camping Saturday night

Estimated distance/elevation: 3.6 miles, 850 feet elevation gain. Rating: C/Intermediate (for elevation gain between 500' and 1500').

We will hike the Marshall/Aspen Loop at a slowish pace; estimated time including breaks between 2.5 to 3 hours. Please be aware that the higher elevation will make a difference. Four miles on Mt. Lemmon will feel tougher than the same distance and elevation gain starting from the valley. This is a beginner-friendly hike, but this means beginning hiker; it may be too much for someone who is just starting exercise after a period of non-activity.

Optional camping! Please send a private message with your contact information if interested in joining an unofficial hastily planned camp-out the night before. (Joanne and I are planning to camp on the mountain Saturday night, but haven’t finalized a location or anything else.)

Hike start time is 11:00 a.m. You should meet outside of Le Buzz by 9:30 a.m. to organize car-pools; 75 min. is a conservative estimate of driving from Le Buzz to the trailhead. Note that I will NOT be there, so I hope someone will step up to get everyone on track and on the road by 9:45. Be prepared to park a ways from the trailhead, depending on how busy it is. If you don’t want to car-pool from LeBuzz, please consider parking in Summerhaven and joining a car-pool from there to the trailhead so we do not monopolize the trailhead parking.

If you attend the hike only, please plan on leaving Le Buzz no later than 9:4 a.m. and being gone for 5-6 hours: 2.5 to 3 hours hiking time, plus about an hour to 75 minutes of driving each way. Try not to make time sensitive plans too soon after the hike. Some of us may want to meet for lunch in Summerhaven after the hike; please discuss your intentions with your car-pool driver/passengers before leaving.

Please bring: 2+ liters of water, sun protection, a light jacket/sweatshirt (temperature should be in the low to mid 60's) your Coronado pass or money for parking ($5/day per vehicle or $20/annual; gas money for your car-pool driver). NO DOGS PLEASE.

Hope to see you there - as always, please hike at your own risk.