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A scenic singletrack leading through meadow areas, along hillsides, and up and down canyons.


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Map Key

1.7

Miles

2.8

KM

Point to Point

8,115' 2,473 m

High

7,897' 2,407 m

Low

400' 122 m

Up

323' 99 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views

Description

Mint Springs is another trail that connects to Marshall Saddle and its multitude of trail options. There is parking at the trailhead off of Carter Canyon Road. Carter Canyon itself is a good climb if you're hiking up that road after looping from Aspen Draw Trail perhaps.

The trailhead is on the left (south) side of the parking area and is reasonably well signed. Beyond the parking area straight up Carter Canyon is private property. The beginning of the trail climbs up the hillside briefly before predominantly running along the side of the hill. Here the trail is angled downhill in parts, making it not as flat a surface as most trails.

The first third of the trail runs through the trees and can get pretty overgrown during the wetter summer months. The middle third section descends into what seems a meadow area with ferns all around. This is an area hit by the Aspen Fire, and the ferns pop up heavily in the monsoon months with all the sun exposure. The final third of the trail continues up and down through some small canyon areas before the final modest climb up to Marshall Saddle.

This trail is probably one of the least utilized from Marshall Saddle so is somewhat a hidden gem. It's not long but can be a good access point to Marshall Saddle or done as part of a loop with several of the other trails in the area. All-in-all a fun route that's more rolling than most of the area trails.

Contacts

Shared By:

Stephen Woodall

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 5 votes

#14

in Mt. Lemmon

#23865

Overall
  3.4 from 5 votes
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Trail Rankings

#14

in Mt. Lemmon

#813

in Arizona

#23,865

Overall
7 Views Last Month
2,145 Since Aug 29, 2016
Intermediate

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Photos

Trail junction at Marshall Saddle
Mar 28, 2018 near Oracle, AZ
Trailhead right by the little parking area. Yep, there's a trail in there...
Sep 3, 2019 near Oracle, AZ
Just after the trailhead.
Sep 3, 2019 near Oracle, AZ
field of thick ferns along mint spring trail, mt lemmon
Jul 7, 2018 near Oracle, AZ

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Check-Ins

Apr 17, 2022
MtnDanAz
Alternative to crowded Marshal Gulch
Mar 19, 2022
Eric Jackson
The northernmost 0.5 mile of the Mint Spring trail still has patches of snow and mud, and one major washout. Poles are a big help. 3.8mi — 2h 40m
Aug 10, 2019
Corey Wacker
1.5mi
Jun 16, 2019
Scout Dog
1.7mi — 0h 50m
Jun 16, 2019
DD Demers
Aug 18, 2018
Rob Stansfield
Cloudy and 60% humidity! 1.7mi
Jul 7, 2018
Jennifer Stoddard
Aug 13, 2017
Kim Labriola
3.4mi