Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
south to glimpse traffic on the I-10 freeway, almost 2 miles away, and farther south to
views of the Santa Rita Mountains and the Whetstone Mountains to the southeast.
The trail reaches the cable line and turns sharply left (west), reaching Marsh Sta-
tion Road after 0.2 mile. At the road you can return the way you came, 2.7 miles
out-and-back, or continue left to the parking lot for a 1.8-mile loop. The AZT crosses
the road and continues under the eastbound railroad bridge high on the right side of
Cienega Creek. Our trail back to the parking lot necessitates crossing the Marsh Sta-
tion Road bridge, which does not have a pedestrian walkway. Traffic is sparse, and
with care you should be able to cross without a problem.
The far end of the bridge crosses over the westbound railway tracks. Immediately
past the road bridge, on the right side, is a brightly colored sign for the Cienega Creek
Natural Preserve and a small parking area for AZT users. This is also an excellent ob-
servation point for train aficionados. Opposite the sign, on the left side of the road, a
short dirt road leads down to the railway tracks and a trail follows the cable line to the
south-southeast. Hike along this trail a few minutes to return to the Gabe Zimmerman
Trailhead.
Directions
Drive east on I-10 to Exit 281/AZ 83, roughly 20 miles east of Tucson. Immediately
after leaving the freeway, turn left over the freeway and follow a sign for Frontage
Road to Marsh Station Road. Turn right, then right again, onto Marsh Station Road,
and drive 3 miles to the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead parking area, on your right.
