Summer escape
Mt. Lemmon hiking conditions
People drive up the Santa Catalinas for cooler air. Here is how the forecast on the Mt. Lemmon trails compares with Sabino Canyon down in the valley. Check conditions before you go.
Down in the valley: Sabino Canyon
Lower heat exposure before 10am, skip from 1pm (97F forecast at 3pm). Sunset about 6:01pm. Forecast updated 4:07am.
Mountain trails
- Aspen Trail: No rating. Closed to hikers today.
- Marshall Gulch: No rating. Closed to hikers today.
- Butterfly Trail: Lower heat exposure through 5pm (71F forecast at 4pm). Sunset about 6pm. Forecast updated 4:07am.
Mountain vs. valley, hour by hour
The number in parentheses is how much cooler (minus) or warmer (plus) each trail is than Sabino Canyon that hour.
| Time | Sabino | Aspen Trail | Marshall Gulch | Butterfly Trail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8am | 78F | 60F (-18F) | 60F (-18F) | 60F (-18F) |
| 9am | 84F | 63F (-21F) | 63F (-21F) | 63F (-21F) |
| 10am | 87F | 65F (-22F) | 65F (-22F) | 66F (-21F) |
| 11am | 90F | 67F (-23F) | 67F (-23F) | 68F (-22F) |
| 12pm | 93F | 69F (-24F) | 69F (-24F) | 69F (-24F) |
| 1pm | 95F | 69F (-26F) | 69F (-26F) | 70F (-25F) |
| 2pm | 96F | 69F (-27F) | 69F (-27F) | 70F (-26F) |
| 3pm | 97F | 69F (-28F) | 69F (-28F) | 71F (-26F) |
| 4pm | 96F | 69F (-27F) | 69F (-27F) | 71F (-25F) |
| 5pm | 94F | 68F (-26F) | 68F (-26F) | 70F (-24F) |
| 6pm | 91F | 66F (-25F) | 66F (-25F) | 68F (-23F) |
| 7pm | 86F | 63F (-23F) | 63F (-23F) | 66F (-20F) |
| 8pm | 84F | 61F (-23F) | 61F (-23F) | 63F (-21F) |
Aspen Trail and Marshall Gulch both start at the Marshall Gulch trailhead, at the end of the road past Summerhaven. Butterfly starts at the Bigelow trailhead. A construction order closes Marshall Gulch and Aspen to hikers Monday through Thursday. The area is open to hikers on federal holidays, even Monday through Thursday. Check those trail pages before you drive up.
Winter note from the Forest Service Aspen page: chains or 4-wheel drive may be required because of snow, and the last part of the road into Marshall Gulch Picnic Area may be closed. Aspen Trail #93.