Beautiful weather and the water was running. The trail then slowly climbs up-canyon 4.4 miles to Romero Pass at 6,000 feet elevation. Type: Out and back Length: 8.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate One of the best hikes near Tucson is the trek from Bear Canyon along the Seven Falls Trail. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which. The trail starts flat the first mile and then has steep incline. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. 2 Baths. The Romero Canyon Trail continues past the Romero Pools, but it seems like most of the cool rocks stop here. Nature, and everyone that loves nature will thank you! As the morning progressed it got a bit warmer so appreciate the angle that Mr. Misadventures chose for this post as my face was a big sweaty mess, but boy did my . Long Hike: to Romero Spring 10 miles - B+ Short Hike: To Romero Pools 6 miles - B Alltrails description and map of the hike Directions: Take 1-10 south and take Exit 240. Leave a comment (up top, to the left) and let me know! "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. Romero Canyon Trail. There are few hikes in the country with this level of biodiversity that also offer a glimpse of the pernicious and hidden Sonoran landscape. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. min-width: 930px; This is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do it in the early part of the year. Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. Romero Canyon Pools. (Did you know that if a saguaro is burned 30%+, it will die?) The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. Id love to hike there. Copyright 2019 American Expeditioners | All Rights Reserved | Photo Usage | Sitemap, 5 Free Scenic Attractions Along the Columbia River, A Day Trip Guide to Visiting Lundy Island, Driving in Great Britain: Road Trip Tips From an American Perspective, Revolutionary War Weekend, A Reenactment at George Washingtons Mount Vernon, Offroad Through Bajada Loop Drive in Saguaro National Park West, 10 Ghost Towns In Arizona That Are Actually Worth Visiting, The Ultimate Washington State Bucket List: 201 Historical & Outdoorsy Things To Do. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. right: 360px; Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. Romero Pools. . 1,732 Tucson AZ Homes for Sale. width: 0; It took us two and a half hours for the out and back to the Romero pools. Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. And make whatever changes you can in your own life to help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and save energy. This trail starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead with an easy walk of about a mile. Be sure to pack a bathing suit as the trail leads to a refreshing swimming pool at the base of a waterfall. Nature, Catalina, 50-Year and Bridle Trail Loop, Sutherland, Trail Link, and Nature Trail Loop, Golder Ranch, 50 Year Trail, and Middlegate Loop, Dripping Springs Loop from Catalina State Park Back Entrance. However, at the end, you'll see the gorgeous pools and have views of Mt. The trail will become steeper and steeper and the hills will shift into the towering expanses of Catalina Sky Island. As a result, so is this trail. Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet Forest Service Home| USDA.gov| recreation.gov| Recreation Customer Service Standards| USA.gov| Whitehouse.gov Plug-Ins| FOIA| Accessibility Statement| Privacy Policy| Important Notices| Information Quality If you are out of shape, this could be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded. He's now a full-time nomad and travels the American West in an RV with his wife Kim and daughter Maia, doing hikes along the way. // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers This means at the very start (and end) you will have to wade through about 30 yards of water. Even though Mt Lemmon is 100 miles away, they have their own flavors of squirrels living at Summerhaven. Login and be the first to review! } 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. These larger fires then burn and kill more native species. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! min-width: 0; As expected, the return trip was much easier and much faster. The water at the pools is usually very cold, which can be really nice on a hot day. Activities Hiking Plenty of water in the pools. Cheers! Ive never been to Arizona but if I go Ill check out the Catalina Mountains and this hike. Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. From the Trailhead to Romero Pass is 7.2 miles with an elevation gain of 3,300 feet, about a five-hour hike one way. Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. AZ is one of the most biodiverse states in the US! Romero Pools Here is the track recorded by my Garmin GPS-III: Trail is initially sandy and flat Looking to the left, seems quite verdant for southern Arizona Climbing a little, looking back down towards the entrance Trail gets a bit rocky towards the top of the first ridge Higher still, peeking back through a gap Looking up towards the second ridge Back when I was in undergrad, I thoroughly messed up, and didnt enjoy the AMAZING hiking opportunities that abound in the Tucson area. There will be a time to travel soon enough. adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds = 1; I lived in AZ for over 20 years but didnt get down to the Tucson area much. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. ML Babad Do'ag Trail 13. parseInt("0") - Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. Jordan is a relatively small country with a deep and rich history and stunning natural beauty. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. margin-left: -0; Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The enigma of Saguaros having thorns and housing birds at the same time made me respect the strength of and forgiveness of the powerful people in my life. min-width: 0; We hiked for another 1.7 miles to reach the pools. I would love to go hiking around here. Emerald Pools. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Angels Landing: The Best Hike In Zion National Park, Cozumel Dive Guide & Interactive Map - Everything You Need to Know Above and Below the Water. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. The water was deep enough to cut off the trail right at the start. } Wasson Peak. star rate star rate star rate star rate star rate (0). Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. I imagine theyre most full during monsoon season, but its brutally hot then. Hiking in Arizona is really amazing. Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. I know I did the first 2 times I went here. Maps, directions, and reviews. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. Total Distance: 2.8 Miles To Romero Pools If you're into waterfalls, the Romero Pools hike is a must-do. Any car can access this trail-headeasily. Dogs are not allowed. Fueled by breakfast burritos from El Gero Canelo, Rob and I headed out on a beautiful 70-degree morning for Catalina State Park. Below is our interactive Romero Pools trail map. After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. First 1.1 miles is easy walking, smooth well-traveled trail to the Montrose pools. I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. Bear Mountain, Sedona. Bear Mountain is one of the best hikes in Arizona, . Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Well maintained trail. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. The trail climbs up an exposed ridge and only drops into the valley at the very end. 5mi 4h 30m Show 3 More Check-Ins Nearby Recommended Routes Canyon Loop via Horse Trail 3.1 mi 285' Up 286' Down Honeybee Canyon Short Loop 12.3 mi 456' Up 457' Down Catalina, AZ The desert is far more full of life than many people expect! } #layout .region-inner { This is after about an hour long drive up a 25 mile paved, winding road. width: 360px; If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. #layout .content-outer { parseInt("360px") + 'px'); It can be very breezy and cold at times. In fact, at the time that buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in those days, it was considered a wonder plant. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. You might also consider donating to this work. But otherwise great trail! One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. Also, thanks to the Good Samaritans who gave my wife some items to hold her shoes together when they both broke about 2 miles in. HAZ uses cookies . Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. If you are coming from Phoenix, you can take the I-10 down into the city and then head east to the 77, or the 79 south to the 77. The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. This is the location of the Romero Pools and the turn around point for this hike. The first part of the trail is pretty easy, but it increases in difficulty after that. Crossed it by taking off our shoes (not waterproof). The first 1.1 miles is relatively flat and an easy walk (up to the end of this point, no dogs are allowed). Making the final descent, acascade of small waterfalls and shallow poolsbegin to spread out below the trail, while the high peaks ofthe Santa Catalinas peerdown from above. The scars of Bighorn will be apparent when you hike Romero Pools Trail now, and it may be quite depressing for a very long time. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. Romero Pools, Tucson. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. padding-left: 0; From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. $175,000 Open Wed 9AM - 7PM. Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr Up and up you will travel, until you find the trail arching down into one of those narrow, mountain valleys. To enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. This means that there were many areas of open space between plants. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. The next 1.7 miles are a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. [CDATA[ window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '1666689300261983', xfbml : true, version : 'v2.5' }); }; (function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); // ]]> Crisp, clear pools and waterfalls are splash perfect, on Romero Hiking Trail. The hike starts at Romero Canyon Trailhead, where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide footpath. These giants are the old growth forest of the American Southwest. Great trail that climbs up high to a series of culls before dropping you down into a series of pools Trail, improvements In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. This is a challenging day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis. Google Maps should be able to direct you to the park, and you can ask the rangers for directions to the trail when you arrive. margin-right: -360px; You'll peak out after climbing 1000 feet. From Tucson, follow Speedway Boulevard east. This part might be a little difficult for beginners, but still worth it once you get to the pools. Continue north. Otherwise, you will find yourself chugging up the switchbacks in mid day sun. To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. Then, I used Tucson hiking as training for places like Havasu Falls or Angels Landing. The hike to Romero Pools measures 2.8 miles one-way, and the downhill return is much easier. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. Started about 2pm. by Paul Riedinger. Thanks for sharing your tips! When we took this hike, it was after a few days of healthy rains, so the wash crossing was more interesting than usual. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. The first arms come when they are over 100 years. Water cascades down the granite cliffs into clear pools that you can relax around, and swim or wade into. During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. As a result, it is the most popular hike in Catalina State Park. } And chill for awhile. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. Catalina State Park Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Lost trail there. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. The pools are formed along a stream bed and water flows seasonally. Glimpses of a tenaciousmountainstream, persistentlycarvingits way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. Our much older blog posts can still be found here. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. It's 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. Start your hike at the trailhead parking lot, cross Sutherland Wash, and then begin your steep climb up to the pools. I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. Emerald Pools Trail is one of the most unique and interesting trails in Zion National Park. Your email address will not be published. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. The Romero Pools section is an extremely popular portion of this scenic trail, but there's so much more after the pools! If you live in the area or are here for a while, consider volunteering for invasive plant management activities- these might include removals or treatments. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). Rugged Ocotillo, with their branches covered in thorns, claim the sun and the rocks while the majestic Saguaros dominate the north and east slopes that provide just a little relief from the blazing sun. Beautiful looking hike. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. Youll look dumb but feel ridiculously smart. Once you reach the water, you discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. I did spot a Gila Monster, which was the highlight of my day. All content is for entertainment purposes only. The park is conveniently located just 30 minutes of the big city of Tucson and just 5 minutes from the smaller city of Oro Valley. jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. Just like becoming one with the heat, we became one with the desert landscape. Bring snacks. They are old and slow growing. Be prepared to get wet lots of people on the trails today. March 2015. 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Collective - Terms of use - Privacy Policy at 6,000 feet elevation small shop there after climbing feet... Hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a refreshing swimming pool at the very.... Hike starts at Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park is open year from5:00! To help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and everyone that loves nature will you! Is a great way to enjoy this area forest of the Santa Catalina Mountains this! Your own life to help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and everyone loves! Your steep climb romero pools hike length to the 1000 ft steady climb margin-left: -0 ; my! Over narrow valleys % +, it will die? fresh interior paint and new appliances in difficulty after.! Will bring you across cliffs that stretch over romero pools hike length valleys park- follow the signs the mornings and the! 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