Park at the end of the road and walk a short way up the small stream to find colorful maples. Watch for aspen color on the surrounding slopes. Next, drive south out of Summerhaven about a mile to Marshall Gulch. Hike a similar distance up the nearby Aspen Trail, and you'll enter one of the finest aspen groves in the Catalinas. If you're not leafed out, return through Summerhaven and take the signed 1.4-mile road to Mount Lemmon Ski Valley.
Aspens flourish on some of the slopes and around the Ski Valley parking lot.
For yet more color, continue on a winding, narrow road 1.7 miles beyond Ski Valley to the top of Mount Lemmon. Near a parking lot at the end of the road, you're likely to find golden aspen leaves fluttering in the mountaintop breeze. 2001 AzStarNet , Arizona Daily Star and its wire services and suppliers and may not be republished without permission. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of Arizona Daily Star or AzStarNet is prohibited.