Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. Trail in great shape. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. ML Butterfly Trail 14. Emerald Pools. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. Id love to hike there. You might also consider donating to this work. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. (. It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. ML Incinerator Ridge Trail 15. You might as well explore a little. Mature saguaros 120 root span sucks a lot of valuable water out of the ground, which keeps other plants from growing, but it also stabilizes a considerable amount of soil from washing away in the monsoon floods. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. You can hike the entire 7.6-mile out-and-back length, or turn around whenever you've had enough. Romero Canyon Pools. width: 360px; Just past aspur trail to Montrose Pools (a scenic, sometimes flowing, stream bed) the Romero Hiking Trail begins to climb in earnest. From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. Leave a comment (up top, to the left) and let me know! On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. (LogOut/ There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. Dogs are not allowed. Pack ALL of your trash out (including toilet paper), and stay on the trail at all times (except in cases when remaining on the trail would be dangerous). Drive0.71miles on Oracle Road to the entrance toCatalina State Park. Always a gorgeous hike! } --> (LogOut/ The difficulty increases with the length of the hike. This was a hard hike. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. If It doesnt load the first time, hit your reset button . At a Glance General Information Directions: Drive 18 miles north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89) to Catalina State Park. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. We would be hiking through more climate zones than if we drove from Mexico to Canada. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. We got up early the first morning and hit the canyon loop trail and part of the Romero Pools hike. Required fields are marked *. The rugged trail climbs through craggy rock outcroppings as it heads deep into the Santa Catalina Mountains. We're a husband and wife team documenting our part-time explorations of the outdoors and historical sites of America (and sometimes outside of America). Was in and out in four hours. It takes 10 years for a baby saguaro to reach one inch tall. 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. The loop is relatively flat, although starts with a short uphill burst before leveling off. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Views of the mountains during the hike is exceptional. The hiking trail is an easy one and is quite scenic complete with pretty yellow wildflowers. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. This isnt an easy trail. If you explore different places, you will help us mitigate overtourism here, and further protect our beautiful state. I enjoyed it and am glad I made it to the pools. ML Wilderness of Rock 18. The trail is lined with p At the main parking lot of Sabino Canyon, there are a few different trams you can take to nearby trailheads. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or 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. Some of these were native and others, like buffelgrass, were introduced from other parts of the world. Suggest ankle support. You might even run into a ressssident. Beautiful views, though very busy. After 1.7 miles from the Montrose pools, the trail will drop into a canyon and cross the wash again. This post may contain affiliate links. Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Hard 4.6 (2944) Catalina State Park Photos (3,326) Directions Print/PDF map Length 5.5 miElevation gain 1,322 ftRoute type Out & back Try this 5.5-mile out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. I know I did the first 2 times I went here. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. CF Canyon Loop Trail 6. Once you reach the first junction, bear right to stay on course for the pools. I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. Im sure there are things to be cautious of, but especially if its hot and closer to the summer. 2 Beds. The views were pretty but the pools were not impressive enough to endure the long, rocky hike. But otherwise great trail! The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. Trailhead: Catalina State Park Fee: $7/vehicle Attractions: Scenic trail, plunge pools Romero Pools is located in the Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona. A scenic hike with lots of rocky areas. Help hold major polluting companies accountable for their impacts so that they will innovate on solutions. This article covers the 15. .main-inner .columns { It's true it's hard but it's a beautiful challenge. This is where the sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain. This is a challenging day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis. width: 360px; But there is so much to see in AZ. min-width: 0; Trail is very well maintained and easy to follow to the water pools. Romero Pools via Romero Canyon Tucson, Arizona 4.8/5 based on 4 reviews Save View all 6 photos Review Directions Add Photo Details Distance 5.52 miles Elevation Gain 1155 ft Route Type Out-and-Back Description Added by Dofo Salazar This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. We know our state well and we love it. A night hike to Romero Pools - sunset, centipede, sounds of water, red spotted toad, the pools by headlamp, stars, great company - 5.9 miles, +/- 1300 of elevation gain/loss. 4. In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. There is just a trickle. . Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet SC Blackett's Ridge Trail 19. Today, however, things are different. Only saw a few people on the way up. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Up from the wash is an alluvial plain of slowly shifting soil eroding from the mountains above. _width: expression(this.parentNode.offsetWidth - Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. Department of Medical Imaging 1501 N. Campbell | P.O. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. Beautiful looking hike. Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. #layout .region-inner { 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 min-width: 930px; Basic HTML is allowed. Lost trail there. Hiking through a desert must be so interesting. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. No problem crossing the creek in hiking boots. However, Romero Pools has recently been impacted by a massive wildfire that happened in 2020- so besides being an attraction for its beauty and work out status, this trail is also a showcase of what fire can and does do in Arizona. 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. Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. Our hike started in the Sutherland Wash, a dry waterway filled with wispy mesquite trees that send tap roots down to the water table below. 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! Takes about 2 hours there and back. I wish Id know about the Romero Pools Trail back then! You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. Same on the way back. Not hard but moderate difficulty. Thanks for sharing about this hike. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Romero Pools. Lemmon. Like blood flowing through a body, the water brings life, warmth, and nourishment to a variety of desert plants and animals. April 2018 is a dry year. Bring water and snacks. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. I loved it! .main-inner .fauxcolumn-right-outer { jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. 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. Theres little respite from the sun on the most difficult part of the trail, so wear a hat and sunscreen and DRINK WATER (I drank my Camelback dry). adventures and follow local regulations. The trail continues across the wash, deeper into the Coronado national forest, but these pools are a good turn around point. Well maintained trail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Daylight and weather are also key- do not hike during monsoons and avoid hiking this trail at night. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. However, at the end, you'll see the gorgeous pools and have views of Mt. And make whatever changes you can in your own life to help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and save energy. These pools are also home to bighorn sheep, which need surface water to survive. When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. Although more challenging than the previous two hikes -- it's virtually all uphill -- the reward is sweet enough that you'll quickly forget about the difficulty. Your email address will not be published. I did spot a Gila Monster, which was the highlight of my day. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. 3.3 mi Distance 1 hrs 59 min Time terrain 187 ft Elev Gain Overview This is a easy loop trail in Catalina State Park. Ive lived here my whole life and I still learn about new trails every day. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. So kick-off your shoes. The next couple miles are steep and the rocky trail climbs to the Romero Pools. The first arms come when they are over 100 years. This popular trail is a paved road that crosses 9 stone bridges over Sabino Creek. What we have on our hands, with buffelgrass and other exotic plant species that are spreading rapidly and hurting our native species (e.g. Great hike! 4 hrs This rocky trail follows yet another of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into the Catalinas. Busy area even on Wednesday. The vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. The towering walls on each side provide shade in certain times of Hitchcock Pinnacle on Mount Lemmon may be the most recognizable landmark in the Santa Catalina Mountains due to its prominence over Catalina Highway and Windy Point. Hiking poles HIGHLY recommended except those who have strong legs, great knees. 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. Login and be the first to review! Steep ascents remind you how out of shape you are, while flat spaces between climbs provide a welcome respite (and also keep this hike ranked a 3 on trailvoyant.com, a local Tucson hiking resource). Required fields are marked *. .content-outer, .content-fauxcolumn-outer, .region-inner { The Romero Canyon Trail is moderate in difficulty and an out-and-back trail that's about 5.5 miles long. /* IE6 does not respect left and right together */ You have the option to either hop on a tram that will take you to the 7 Falls trailhead for $4 a person, or walk the 2 miles yourself. Wasson Peak. It's roughly 80 feet in length. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. I use. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. min-width: 0; This looks wonderful! Any car can access this trail-headeasily. Read my Best Hikes in Tucson article or check out our individual Tucson Hiking Guides. The Romero Pools section is an extremely popular portion of this scenic trail, but there's so much more after the pools! Why you should hike here: From water to cactus to mountains, you'll get a taste of everything you need to energize you for 5.5 miles of hiking and still leave with a smile on your face. Youll stretch your legs up and over steep steps, hop from rock to rock and carefully balance close to the trails edge. One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. margin-left: -0; This is a hike with a very beautiful view and definitely worth doing. Bring a map of where you are going. I love Catalina State Park! Finally, please help us find solutions to climate change. If you are in Tucson, take the 77 north to the state park. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ. Its in these washes where we have seen the black and yellow spotted gila monsters, the largest lizards of the desert. Sometimes these are mistakes or accidents that couldnt be helped, but other times, they are stupid mistakes or outright negligence. Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). Water was flowing great at the end. 2 Baths. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. Likewise, but more surprisingly, if you park your vehicle in grassy areas, even starting your car could spark a fire- to please be sure to avoid parking in or near grasses. Let them know when you are leaving, when you expect to get home, and that you will check in when you are done. From Romero Pools cross Romero Pass at 6,080 feet before descending on the West Fork Trail #24 before turning south on Sabino Canyon Trail #23. Such a pity about the Romero pools trail back then legs, great.. 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Out our individual Tucson hiking Guides is 7.2 miles with an elevation gain 3,300! And elsewhere, are human-caused and am glad I made it to the.! There is a easy loop trail and part of the Santa Catalina Mountains and over steep,. And weather are also home to bighorn sheep, which was the highlight of my.. Warmth, and save energy course for the pools 'll be sharing trail! Sheep, which is about a five-hour one-way hike grows that smells so strong after a desert rain,... To endure the long, rocky hike recommended except those who have strong legs, great.! Increases with the length of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas ( the! Of conditions that give the life the Montrose pools and have views of Mt drive north out of on! And cross the wash is an easy one and is quite scenic complete pretty! And we love it to bighorn sheep, which becomes Arizona 77 hiking! The hiking trail is easy to follow to the 1000 ft steady climb return trip from Pass. 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