Location

  • Marshall Gulch Trailhead to American Flag Ranch Trailhead

Length

  • 17.8 miles

Southern Trailhead: Marshall Gulch Trailhead

Access

Take Catalina Highway into the Santa Catalina Mountains. Near the top of the mountain range, bear left to the community of Summerhaven. Continue 1.5 miles south to the end of the road at the Marshall Gulch Trailhead. The trailhead is on the west side of the parking area.

Resources

Northern Trailhead: American Flag Ranch Trailhead

  • GPS Coordinates: 32.58090° N, 110.72039° W
  • NOTE: This trailhead is not visible from Mt. Lemmon Road. There is a sign directing you to the trailhead, which is a dead end.

Access

From Oracle, turn south at the eastern intersection of AZ 77 and East American Avenue, drive 1.5 miles on American Avenue, and then turn right onto Mount Lemmon Road. Continue 4.0 miles to American Flag Ranch Road, and turn right (west) to reach the trailheads on both sides of the road, including parking areas near the historic American Flag Ranch. The trail on the left (east) side of the road is the start of Passage 13; Passage 12 arrives from the west (right).

Trail Route Description

Passage 12 includes a short road walk and resupply opportunity in the mountaintop community of Summerhaven, followed by a long descent down Red Ridge and Oracle Ridge to the historic American Flag Ranch. 

This section begins in Summerhaven, travels down Red Ridge, and drops into ranching country. The trail rolls across loose, rocky terrain, and although the trail descends more than 3,000 feet, prepare for a few short, steep climbs along the way. Temperatures increase as the trail lowers in elevation and there is little shade and water on this exposed ridgeline. But, as the trail descends the north side of the Santa Catalinas it features expansive views in all directions, making it just as beautiful as it is challenging. 

The AZT passes by two historical sites: High Jinx Ranch, which was once owned by Buffalo Bill Cody and is currently open to visitors, and American Flag Ranch, which is known for being the oldest standing territorial post office building in the state.

Difficulty

  • Moderate to Difficult

Season(s)

All year. Snow can be present at higher elevations after winter storms (current weather forecast)

Water

Water is available in Summerhaven and at High Jinks Ranch.  Check the online Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.

Notes/Warnings

  • All natural sources of water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
  • Signing consists of flexible fiberglass signposts with the Arizona Trail decal.

For more information

Current Passage Info

Popular Tucson-Area Trailhead, Picnic Area Closing For Major Overhaul

June 23, 2026
Patch (June 23, 2026) by Vianella Burns One of the most popular recreation sites on Mount Lemmon is about to undergo its biggest transformation in years, and that means a temporary closure for hikers and picnickers this summer. The Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead near Summerhaven will close from Monday, July 6, through July 26, as crews begin tree remediation work for public safety. The closure kicks off a larger reconstruction project expected to wrap up by December, officials said. Marshall Gulch draws roughly 160,000 visitors a year, making it one of the busiest sites in the Coronado National Forest. It serves as the main access point for three popular trails: Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Sunset Trail #90 and Aspen Trail #93. Once the initial tree work is complete, the site will reopen with a pedestrian path that allows trail access, though picnic areas and restrooms will remain closed for the duration of the project. A Bigger Overhaul Is Coming The closure is the first phase of the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead Improvement Project, a broader effort to restore natural conditions along Sabino Creek and Marshall Gulch while modernizing the site's infrastructure. The current one-way, dead-end parking...
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Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead Closes for Major Renovation

June 22, 2026
Starting Monday, July 6 through July 26, 2026, the Coronado National Forest's Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead, near the city of Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon, will be closed as part of a maintenance and reconstruction project. The temporary closure is in place for public safety while tree remediation work occurs as part of the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead Improvement Project Once initial work is complete, the site will open with a “pedestrian path” that will allow access to the trails. The project is expected to be completed by December 2026. Picnic and restroom facilities will be closed throughout the duration of the project. The Marshall Gulch Picnic Area and Trailhead is one of the most popular recreation sites on the Coronado National Forest, welcoming approximately 160,000 visitors annually, and serves as the primary trailhead to the popular Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Sunset Trail #90, and Aspen Trail #93. The purpose of the project is to restore areas along Sabino Creek and Marshall Gulch to more natural conditions, to improve vehicle circulation and parking within the recreation site and improve recreation infrastructure. To reduce the current congestion issues, the project includes the replacement of the one-way, dead-end parking...
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Temporary Detour Near Summerhaven

Temporary Detour Near Summerhaven

March 11, 2026
The Coronado National Forest, Pima County, and Arizona Trail Association have announced a temporary detour of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) near the community of Summerhaven due to a construction project at the Marshall Gulch Trailhead. This detour will go into effect immediately and will remain in place until August 1, 2026. This impacts AZT Passages 11 (Santa Catalina Mountains), 12 (Red Ridge), and the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bypass. For those hiking northbound: From Marshall Saddle at FarOut NOBO mile 181.6 do NOT follow Marshall Gulch Trail. Instead, follow Mint Spring Trail to E Carter Canyon Rd. Turn right on E Carter Canyon Rd and hike to N Sabino Canyon Pkwy. Turn left on N Sabino Canyon Pkwy and rejoin the AZT in the town of Summerhaven. See map here. For those hiking southbound: From the intersection of N Sabino Canyon Pkwy and E Carter Canyon Rd in Summerhaven at FarOut SOBO mile 613.6, do NOT continue on N Sabino Canyon Pkwy. Instead turn right on E Carter Canyon Rd and follow to the Mint Spring Trail. Turn left on Mint Spring Trail and follow until rejoining with the AZT at Marshall Saddle and the Wilderness of Rocks Trail....
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Coronado National Forest Releases Santa Catalina Trail Plan

Coronado National Forest Releases Santa Catalina Trail Plan

June 23, 2023
After 18 months of hard work, our partners at the Coronado National Forest have released the first comprehensive trail plan for the Santa Catalina Ranger District, which includes the northern slope of the Rincon Mountains, Mount Lemmon, Summerhaven and Oracle Ridge.  According to Adam Milnor, Recreation, Heritage and Lands Staff Officer for the Forest, the plan includes projects to "diversify trail opportunities, improve sustainability, create new trail connections and boost trailhead access" on the district. A number of the proposed projects will impact Passages 9-12 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, addressing long standing issues with this well-loved portion of the Trail. These aspirations aren't just dreams, either. Thanks to the recent flow of federal funding from sources such as the Great American Outdoors Act, or GAOA, many of these projects may become reality starting as soon as this winter. The ATA joined the Southern Arizona outdoor recreation community and other trail organizations such as the National Forest Foundation, Tucson Off Road Cyclists and Activists, Santa Catalina Volunteer Patrol, Pima County, Friends of the Santa Catalina Trails and others to help Forest Service staff shape the plan - and we will continue to be involved in it's implementation. ATA volunteers...
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