2 projects aim to boost Marshall Gulch experience | News

Two major projects — one completed, another under way — are reshaping parking, driving, and walking experiences at Marshall Gulch and along lower Sabino Canyon Park Road below Summerhaven.

Marshall Gulch is one of the most popular recreation sites on the Coronado National Forest, with approximately 160,000 annual visitors seeking cool temperatures, picnic sites, fall colors, hiking on the Marshall Gulch, Sunset and Aspen trails and fun in winter’s snow near the top of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

For years, according to a Pima County press release, “Circling the town looking for legal parking is as much a rite of passage as the drive up the mountain.”

That’s changing.

New lot, on-street parking

The Pima County Transportation Department, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and Coronado National Forest, has completed a new, 75-space parking lot next to Sabino Canyon Park Road above Marshall Gulch.

Contractors have added 21 roadside spaces, resurfaced a half-mile of asphalt roadway, installed a kiosk with information about the Arizona Trail, and put in a 5-foot-wide pathway as part of the Arizona Trail bypass.

Work has been done on the General Hitchcock Highway going up Mount Lemmon, with repainted lane lines, crosswalks, and stop lines, from the base of the mountain to Summerhaven and Ski Valley. 

It’s all intended to enhance access and safety at the recreation sites.

“Not only will these enhancements help reduce congestion, but they will also make it easier and safer for visitors to enjoy one of Pima County’s favorite outdoor destinations,” said Pima County Transportation Department Director Kathryn Skinner. 

The project cost $4.99 million. The Federal Lands Access Program funded 94.3% of the project cost, with Pima County paying the remaining 5.7% — $284,253. Conway Construction Company completed the work.

“As we continue to experience plenty of warm days this summer, now is the perfect time to take a trip up to Mount Lemmon and enjoy the cooler weather,” Skinner said.

Work starts at the trailhead

On the heels of that new installation, the Coronado National Forest has begun long-planned work to improve Marshall Gulch picnic areas, restrooms and trailhead parking.

The company Atlantic Pacific Standard has been awarded a $4.4 million contract for the work. Funds come from the federal Great American Outdoors Act.

Picnic and trailhead facilities were closed for selective tree removal through July 26. Once that work is done, the trailhead is going to be opened via a pedestrian path, according to a U.S. Forest Service release. Nearby restroom and picnic facilities are closed through the project’s duration, into December.

As part of the work, areas along Sabino Creek and in Marshall Gulch are being restored to more natural conditions, the release said. The current 1-way, dead-end parking lot at the trailhead is being replaced with a paved loop road and parking lot, along with construction of two bridges over Sabino Creek designed to withstand 100-year flood events. Two parking spaces are being added, new picnic sites created, and a new vault toilet installed.

During construction, trail users are encouraged to use the newly constructed parking area south of Summerhaven.

The project, approved in 2018 after analysis that dates back to at least 2012, is supported by funding from the Legacy Restoration Fund under the Great American Outdoors Act.

It allows the Forest Service “to address deferred maintenance on these critical facilities as well as improve critical infrastructure essential for the use and enjoyment of national forests and grasslands,” a release said.

For any additional questions, email Mailroom_R3_Coronado@usda.gov. For the most current updates about the Coronado National Forest, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/CoronadoNF.