The Romero Pools Trail is a day hike, not a short romp, and you will be traveling into wilderness areas, where rescues arent easy, safe, or cheap. Edit Sights to See Sutherland Trailhead Montrose Pools Add a Report donnasitesrealtor 1 week, 6 days ago dudic.gary 1 year, 10 months ago Each mountain, like Mt Lemmon, is a sky island that is an isolated biosphere from other sky islands hundreds of miles away. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. Great mountain views and high desert fl ora characterize the hike, and wildlife ranging from skunks to See more on Trails 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. Youll look dumb but feel ridiculously smart. Hike Description: This hike is an out and back up Romero Canyon Trail to some picturesque pools in the Catalina Mountains. Stay right here. Nestled in Arizona's Catalina State Park, just north of Tuscon, are the Romero Pools. width: 360px; Bring enough water. For example, Mt Graham red squirrels only live on Mt Graham and were thought to be extinct until a new family was discovered fifty years ago. We hiked for another 1.7 miles to reach the pools. 4. 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 And make whatever changes you can in your own life to help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and save energy. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. Want to hike Tucsons best trails? This is why there are no dogs allowed past the first mile of the trail. This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. Was a little cold to get started. The water was deep enough to cut off the trail right at the start. It is not a dangerous flow. Emerald Pools Trail is one of the most unique and interesting trails in Zion National Park. 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. Nature, and everyone that loves nature will thank you! The trail now starts to gain elevation more aggressively and steadily for the remainder of the hike to the pools. #layout { 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. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. parseInt("360px") + 'px'); Login and be the first to review! I imagine theyre most full during monsoon season, but its brutally hot then. This fire destroyed many of the landscapes that we locals have loved and enjoyed for decades, and this means that our familiar trails are no longer familiar. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. Well maintained trail. I loved it! Bear Mountain is one of the best hikes in Arizona, . Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. At a Glance General Information Directions: Drive 18 miles north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89) to Catalina State Park. However footing is key as youre climbing up quite a few rock formations. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. These giants are the old growth forest of the American Southwest. right: 360px; don 8 months, 2 weeks ago. We know our state well and we love it. There's also a shuttle that will take you to the top and back for a small fee. Continue for 13 miles then turn right atCatalina State Park. Dont show up underprepared for this one. Plenty of water in the pools. 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. At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. 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. Felt more like a medium trail. In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. invasive plants), is a dangerous cycle. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. Your safety is your responsibility. Hike Length: 3.2 Miles roundtrip to the furthest pool; Trail Difficulty: 1st pool is easy | 2nd and 3rd pool are difficult Trailhead Location: At Zion Lodge (Stop 5) Lower Emerald Falls. This is where the sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain. parseInt("0") - Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. This 13-day luxury Jordan itinerary takes you from the green hills of the north, Berry Creek Falls Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park- A Hiking Guide. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. People frequently have to get rescued from this canyon. Once we realize that we are only an observer, we could see the true beauty and diversity of life here. For us, it was a bit of a slug fest. Don't worry about how busy it seems - most of the people you see are probably only going as far as the dam or picnic areas. Catalina state park is very popular. Wasson Peak. #layout .region-inner { Another Tucson-area hike, Romero Pools is a 5.5-mile adventure through Catalina State Park. 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 You then drive to the trailhead parking lot. The hiking trail is an easy one and is quite scenic complete with pretty yellow wildflowers. (LogOut/ It's one of the few Tucson hikes with water year-round; and there are plenty of trees that provide greenery in spring/summer and pretty foliage through the fall (and most of the winter). Hi! There is just a trickle. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. We also put in points of interest to get you around Catalina State Park. Be prepared to get wet lots of people on the trails today. Stunning trail and the cool pools were a gift. Trailhead: Catalina State Park Fee: $7/vehicle Attractions: Scenic trail, plunge pools Romero Pools is located in the Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona. About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Hard 4.6 (2919) Catalina State Park Photos (3,289) Directions Print/PDF map Length 8.9 kmElevation gain 403 mRoute type Out & Back Explore this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. This trail starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead with an easy walk of about a mile. Trail in great shape. } It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. We hiked out wilderness of rocks to marshall gulch. The trail then slowly climbs up-canyon 4.4 miles to Romero Pass at 6,000 feet elevation. I use. body { In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. In 2020, we here in Arizona suffered from many devastating wildfires, including the Bighorn Fire, which burned throughout the Catalina Mountains. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. It has a slippery chute worn into the sandstone. } --> Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. Discover this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. Romero Pools offers hikers the chance to cool off on a hot day with a refreshing swim in a gorgeous canyon. 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). (LogOut/ Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. 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. Please explore responsibly! Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. We paid $7 for a day pass (check the calendar to time your visit with an event and get the most bang for your buck) and followed the road to the trail head. Water was flowing great at the end. 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. Beautiful canyon. And then eventually, eventually, youll hear running water. Keep your eyes peeled, as they sometimes show up alongside the trail. From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ. They need their host plant when they are young, which they eventually kill as they grow. Starting from Catalina State Park, you wind your way up the rocky slopes of the Catalina Mountains for about 3-miles until you reach Romero Pools. While the land will heal to some extent, please know that this process will take many many years. Romero Canyon is in the heart of the Pusch Wilderness, where Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced and are protected. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. (. But there is so much to see in AZ. Mount Kimball. Your email address will not be published. From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible. Looking down Romero Canyon. After 1.7 miles from the Montrose pools, the trail will drop into a canyon and cross the wash again. Beyond the wash, the pathwayremainswide,flat and easyfor the next mile, as it heads into the canyon. 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. Continue your trek upwards, exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water. Learn more about overtourism and tips for sustainable travel here! The route is rugged and at water crossings, the rocks are slippery. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. 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. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. The Pinnacle itself features several trad, sport, and top rope routes including a series of anchors and chains at the top. 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. 2 Beds. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. Trail then starts to climb and get more challenging. The creek itself is pretty dry most of the year, but after a rain it's a wonderful place to cool off and escape from the merciless desert heat. All content is for entertainment purposes only. ML Marshall Gulch Loop 16.ML Meadow Trail 17. Find TrailDEX Filter . Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. 6.8 total Rocky but very doable. This is a very popular area for hiking, horse riding, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 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. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee of $7/vehicle. I wish Id know about the Romero Pools Trail back then! Don't expect much solitude here. Lemmon Trail (to Mt. You might as well explore a little. width: 0; Romero Canyon Trail. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. Started about 2pm. An experienced Tucson hiker would dance along these crags, trying to maintain their gait and avoid touching the menacing foliage around themselves. The pools are formed along a stream bed and water flows seasonally. 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 . CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. Great hike! You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. 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. This is typical sonoran desert hiking as you'll see plenty of your favorite cacti. From anywhere south of Tucson, head into town and then jump on the 77 north. 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