Flora here is pure Arizonayoull see prickly pear cactus, ridiculously spiny cholla cactus, saguaros with arms reaching up to the sky and tall yucca plants. Dragging chains spark and in the dry conditions of Arizona, this can easily spark a fire. The trail starts flat the first mile and then has steep incline. Bring snacks. Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. We know our state well and we love it. To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. I imagine theyre most full during monsoon season, but its brutally hot then. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-left-outer { Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. Mount Kimball. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. Vistas, waterfalls, lots of varied terrain. Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. right: 360px; The desert is far more full of life than many people expect! This is a 5.9 mile out-and-back hike with 1300 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete. This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. 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 945 Sq Ft. 816 S Langley Ave Unit 204, Tucson, AZ 85710. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norn, (2) Always Let Someone Know Where You Are Hiking, Romero Pools Trail: A Hiking Guide from an Arizona Local, Two Classic Short Hikes in Tucson, AZ: Tanque Verde and Tumamoc Hill, Two Challenging Grand Canyon South Rim Day Hikes. (LogOut/ 6.8 total Rocky but very doable. There will be a time to travel soon enough. He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11. Most people stop too soon. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. Thus, for your sake and the sake of the local community, go prepared. I hope you can make it out! Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. I love Catalina State Park! Beyond the wash, the pathwayremainswide,flat and easyfor the next mile, as it heads into the canyon. Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. This moderate trail out of Catalina State Park will give you sweeping views of Oro Valley and cool pools you can dip your toes in at the end. But otherwise great trail! There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. Daylight and weather are also key- do not hike during monsoons and avoid hiking this trail at night. 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. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. It really is! Bring a map of where you are going. It's roughly 80 feet in length. The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. Make sure to check in when you return to your car! This looks wonderful! If you are in Tucson, take the 77 north to the state park. The next couple miles are steep and the rocky trail climbs to the Romero Pools. jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. If you're coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour. The exposed geology makes Tucson trekking timeless. 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. Starting from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area you'll want to follow signs for the Bear Canyon Trail. .main-inner .column-right-outer { The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . Share this trail: Previous Next. . Did not even stop at pools, as the rest uwas so much better. On the Trail How long is Romero Pools hike? Then, I used Tucson hiking as training for places like Havasu Falls or Angels Landing. There is just a trickle. The Romero Pools Trail is not appropriate for people that are not prepared via supplies and physical ability. Fire rules are meant to help prevent fires, so please respect them. Most people stop as soon as they get to the water. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. Wearing hiking shoes. I visited a friend in Tucson, Arizona for about a month in 2005 and didnt get much hiking in, and Ive been kicking myself ever since. All content is for entertainment purposes only. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-right-outer { When we took this hike, it was after a few days of healthy rains, so the wash crossing was more interesting than usual. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. Some of these were native and others, like buffelgrass, were introduced from other parts of the world. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. Another Tucson-area hike, Romero Pools is a 5.5-mile adventure through Catalina State Park. Glimpses of a tenacious mountain stream, persistently carving its way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. And then eventually, eventually, youll hear running water. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. Lemmon) and West Fork Sabino Trail (to Sabino Canyon). All photos and maps may be freely used for non-commercial purposes when accompanied with a caption giving credit to gjhikes.com. There's also a shuttle that will take you to the top and back for a small fee. Just like becoming one with the heat, we became one with the desert landscape. width: 800px; Up and up you will travel, until you find the trail arching down into one of those narrow, mountain valleys. Hiking info for Romero Pools via Romero Canyon, located in Catalina State Park, Arizona. Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. The pools are full and water is running. However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. The pools were just amazing and felt like a hidden paradise. Only attempt this trail if you know that you can do so safely, and turn around immediately if the hike becomes dangerous for any reason, at any time. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). You will also find cliffs of . Thanks for sharing your tips! It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required)
Once you get past the flat part of the trail and go up the Romero pools trail its definitely a uphill hike with a rocky trail, you will be climbing a little bit! Oh shoot! I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. From anywhere south of Tucson, head into town and then jump on the 77 north. #layout { The pools are a system of puddles and streams, ranging from relatively still to flowing waterfalls that feed deep swimming holes surrounded by smooth rock. Numerous small falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe canyon, every one of them worth exploring. Don't miss Hutch's Pools along West Fork Trail at 3.4 miles after Romero Pass. Beautiful, but rocky trail, lots of water at the pools. August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. We had to ford the stream at the start of the hike. People underestimate how diverse and living the desert is. For instance, if you develop blisters and/or hot spots, you can use your supplies to prevent further damage to your feet and continue moving. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. (say the g as an h>sah-wah-roh). A hike in from Merrill Canyon to Romero pools in Catalina State Park. Crossed it by taking off our shoes (not waterproof). Catalina State Park: Return visit after many yeard - See 809 traveler reviews, 543 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. } Any car can access this trail-headeasily. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Fueled by breakfast burritos from El Gero Canelo, Rob and I headed out on a beautiful 70-degree morning for Catalina State Park. And of course, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts worse. star rate star rate star rate star rate star rate (0). Leave a comment (up top, to the left) and let me know! Login and be the first to review! Beautiful weather and the water was running. Do not enter any private driveways please! It's true it's hard but it's a beautiful challenge. Maps, directions, and reviews. Change). Other than that it was a great hike. Your email address will not be published. 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. Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. Let them know when you are leaving, when you expect to get home, and that you will check in when you are done. What are your favorite Tucson hikes? Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. We ran out of water on a hot day, so make sure to bring lots. Once you reach the water, you discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings. Most of the mountain-dwelling animals just cant cross the empty deserts so they have been isolated for the last 10,000 years since the shallow Arizona seas subsided. They need their host plant when they are young, which they eventually kill as they grow. CF Canyon Loop Trail 6. Kicking off fromthe trailhead, the Romero Hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland wash a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that flows seasonally. 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. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. We hiked out wilderness of rocks to marshall gulch. 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