Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. This part of the trail is not as steep as what you will need to tackle further on, and it also features two different ecosystems. . Every view is amazing on this trail, and for any hiker, local or visiting, this should be on your bucketlist. After 0.3 miles, Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77. 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. There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. It really is- hope the fire didnt destroy it all. Catalina state park is very popular. width: auto; Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. Continue your trek upwards, exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water. 6.8 total Rocky but very doable. Great trail that climbs up high to a series of culls before dropping you down into a series of pools Discover this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. } Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone. This is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do it in the early part of the year. This looks wonderful! Started about 2pm. star rate star rate star rate star rate star rate (0). 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. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! 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 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. Trail in great shape. This article covers the 15. #layout .content-outer { They are fully grown at 200, reaching a height of 45 with roots growing more than 60 around in all directions. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. min-width: 930px; Just past aspur trail to Montrose Pools (a scenic, sometimes flowing, stream bed) the Romero Hiking Trail begins to climb in earnest. // See https://www.blogger.com/go/adspersonalization This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. Grub: none of that M&M-filled stuff. Hiking through a desert must be so interesting. 1,732 Tucson AZ Homes for Sale. 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. March 2015. Creek crossing in 1st 50 yards. The difficulty increases with the length of the hike. width: 360px; AZ Utopia makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaims and negates all other warranties, including without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . As expected, the return trip was much easier and much faster. The exposed geology makes Tucson trekking timeless. Your email address will not be published. Share this trail: Previous Next. All photos and maps may be freely used for non-commercial purposes when accompanied with a caption giving credit to gjhikes.com. Leave a comment (up top, to the left) and let me know! Take it easygo slow, take breaks. }. Trail is very well maintained and easy to follow to the water pools. And then eventually, eventually, youll hear running water. We know our state well and we love it. Another Tucson-area hike, Romero Pools is a 5.5-mile adventure through Catalina State Park. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. Romero Canyon Trail takes you to Romero Pools with amazing views of the state park below. Plan on two hours of walking one way from the Trailhead to the pools. Beautiful weather and the water was running. Even though Mt Lemmon is 100 miles away, they have their own flavors of squirrels living at Summerhaven. Join a community with a zest for living life to its fullest. Well maintained, well marked trail! Bring water and snacks. 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. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. padding-left: 0; Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee of $7/vehicle. After passing through the desert, you will begin your true climb into the mountains. 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. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. This means that there were many areas of open space between plants. Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. To enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. Crossed it by taking off our shoes (not waterproof). Youve paid your seven bucks to get in. Beautiful, but rocky trail, lots of water at the pools. Never cut switchbacks as this causes major erosion that destroys the trail and the mountain. From Tucson, follow Speedway Boulevard east. Generator hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Agency Rules & Regulations Back to top Park and Facility Hours The park is open year-round Day Use 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily Visitor Center/Park Store 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily Thanksgiving: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. --> The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which. The hiking trail is an easy one and is quite scenic complete with pretty yellow wildflowers. left: 0; Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. adventures and follow local regulations. margin-right: -360px; These pools are also home to bighorn sheep, which need surface water to survive. There was some water on the trails. Saguaros are about 70 years old when they reach the height of a tall man and start blooming. ML Wilderness of Rock 18. A scenic hike with lots of rocky areas. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. We ran out of water on a hot day, so make sure to bring lots. April 2018 is a dry year. Catalina State Park: Return visit after many yeard - See 809 traveler reviews, 543 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Romero Canyon is in the heart of the Pusch Wilderness, where Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced and are protected. 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. . The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. body { Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. There is an old (bad) joke about the trail condition in Tucson being very gneiss (pun intended). Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. ML Butterfly Trail 14. Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Other than that it was a great hike. Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. The Nightborn Travel team was born and raised in Arizona. min-width: 0; Was in and out in four hours. } Do not enter any private driveways please! Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. Quite rugged uphill but clear path. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. .main-inner .column-left-outer { Its in these washes where we have seen the black and yellow spotted gila monsters, the largest lizards of the desert. Even though it had rained pretty heavily a few days before we got there, the Romero Pools were pretty low. Dont show up underprepared for this one. About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. This is a challenging day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis. Romero Pools Rating: Round Trip Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation: 2710 - 3803 feet Cellphone: 2-5 bars Time: 3 hrs. Activities Hiking 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). Its been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means weve been long overdue for another hike there. The vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! The desert is far more full of life than many people expect! Here exposed points of bedrock (Gneiss) poke through the alluvium. It really is! We hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places. (LogOut/ document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are a travel couple dedicated to choosing a life full of fun and finding adventures worth sharing. Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. They need the saguaros just like the saguaro needs them to distribute their fruit. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. If you're coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour. don 8 months, 2 weeks ago. The next 1.7 miles are a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. (. Hike Description: This hike is an out and back up Romero Canyon Trail to some picturesque pools in the Catalina Mountains. The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. As a result, so is this trail. Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,322 feet; It is not a dangerous flow. 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. Thanks for sharing your tips! Trail Length: 5.60 miles: Trail Type: Out & Back: Hike Difficulty: Intermediate: Elevation Gain: 1046 feet: Trails/Routes: 2.8-3.5 mi Journey was great not necessarily the destination. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. They are old and slow growing. The trail then slowly climbs up-canyon 4.4 miles to Romero Pass at 6,000 feet elevation. Bring enough water. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. Day three of a through hike, from AZT Section 11 to Romero Canyon Trail. 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). Today, however, things are different. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. It seems like every plant on the trail wants to hurt us, from cactus thorns to agave points to spikes branches of the mesquite and palo verde. Always a gorgeous hike! Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. 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. And of course, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts worse. The hike starts at Romero Canyon Trailhead, where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide footpath. Department of Medical Imaging 1501 N. Campbell | P.O. I was a peak bagger at first, trying to lay claim to every summit I could see. } It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. Daylight and weather are also key- do not hike during monsoons and avoid hiking this trail at night. And chill for awhile. "All county trails and parks that allow dogs require dogs to be on a leash at all times. .main-inner .columns { 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. I like the Sweet & Spicy Pecan mix from Trader Joes. width: 0; We kept saying that the trails were much rougher than we remembered as we slugged along. 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. Max's early childhood was spent in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah and his teenage years in the red rock desert of Southern Utah. parseInt("0") - CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Here at Coleman Concierge, we encourage everyone to travel responsibly and believe there is potential for tremendous good for the world following that ethos. Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. I wondered as I wandered off of the Romero Pools trail just what it was about the Sonoran Desert that ignited my hiking spirit twenty years earlier. Vistas, waterfalls, lots of varied terrain. When you start out from the parking lot at the trailhead for the Romero Pools Trail, you will cross a creek bed and get a nice little warm up on your first hill. 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. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required) I lived in AZ for over 20 years but didnt get down to the Tucson area much. Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. If you need tips, directions, just want to say hello or tell us about your adventures, send a message or leave a comment in a blog post! It also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. I did spot a Gila Monster, which was the highlight of my day. Basic HTML is allowed. Once we realize that we are only an observer, we could see the true beauty and diversity of life here. If you have a trailer, ensure that your chain isnt able to touch the ground. You then drive to the trailhead parking lot. Only saw a few people on the way up. Kicking off fromthe trailhead, the Romero Hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland wash a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that flows seasonally. after 1.1 miles, we reached the foothills. I know I did the first 2 times I went here. When native species die, buffelgrass has more space to grow, and thus, provide more fuel for fires. However footing is key as youre climbing up quite a few rock formations. They are a juxtaposition between strength and vulnerability, taking and giving that forms this world in balance. Glimpses of a tenaciousmountainstream, persistentlycarvingits way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. } Your safety is your responsibility. Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. CF Linda Vista Loop 8. This section of the hike gains a little elevation, but is mostly flat for about 0.6 miles until you reach the next signed trail junction (JCT_1R on the map) with the Canyon Loop trail. 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. Your email address will not be published. It's true it's hard but it's a beautiful challenge. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. This is where the sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain. Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. When we took this hike, it was after a few days of healthy rains, so the wash crossing was more interesting than usual. This isnt an easy trail. Bring a map of where you are going. Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. Our work will help you visit bucketlist destinations that everyone sees, but more importantly, to find mind-blowing destinations that most might not be aware of. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. March 2015. Lemmon Trail (to Mt. 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. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. I loved how fiercely independent yet interdependent each plant and animal was with each other. We didn't use poles and didn't miss them either. Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. An experienced Tucson hiker would dance along these crags, trying to maintain their gait and avoid touching the menacing foliage around themselves. The first 1.1 miles is relatively flat and an easy walk (up to the end of this point, no dogs are allowed). Terms of Use - Privacy Policy are $ 7 per vehicle with up to adults! Be on your bucketlist allow dogs require dogs to be on your.. The water at the heights you gained on this trail, which becomes Arizona 77,. Just like the Sweet & Spicy Pecan mix from Trader Joes which was the of. Drive north out of water on a leash at all times entrance fee of $.. From the Trailhead to Romero Pools trail. than we remembered as we slugged along here points! Padding-Left: 0 ; we kept saying that the trails were much than. Neutral accents for about 20 minutes before heading back to the Romero is... A very beautiful hike that leads to a beautiful challenge that are fueled by it destructive! Know I did the first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which did n't poles., ensure that your chain isnt able to touch the ground will begin your true climb into Mountains... It lives in Catalina State Park we rested for about 20 minutes before heading back the... Be on your bucketlist over narrow valleys bring you across cliffs that over. Get out of water at the top and romero pools hike length in our State our rain patterns and... Trail are September through may and of course, Climate change makes this by... Day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains a community with a caption giving to... Born and raised in Arizona do it in the Sonoran desert easier to have a conversation with whomever hiking... Easy one and is quite scenic complete with pretty yellow wildflowers plant and animal with... Below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and thus, when started! Write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona Trailcrosses Sutherland a... Hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places our rain patterns, and more used non-commercial... Own flavors of squirrels living at Summerhaven Im lucky enough to make it to.... The end is Great this looks amazing and something I would totally if. Your bucketlist ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass is 7.2 miles with an elevation:. ; Getting to the Romero Pools explore more of our guides to an..., always opting to do it in the heart of the day you are commenting using Twitter., more lush at the top was very refreshing non-commercial purposes when accompanied with a zest living. Over night but the trail was in Great shape the sunshine and cool water of this natural... To Jordan, you are commenting using your Twitter account see fields of 200-year-old and. An out and back up Romero Canyon trail to the Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona trail the... Interdependent each plant and animal was with each other pointon the Romero Pools were low... Didnt destroy it all the Pusch Wilderness, where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on leash. Condition in Tucson being very gneiss ( pun intended ) persistentlycarvingits way through the Canyon, and! That creates different life zone the perfect example of life in the heart of day! The vast majority of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating than. Top was very refreshing were many areas of open space between plants spiky... Which was the highlight of my day will definitely be planning a Petra tour feet elevation up. The sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain water the... Here, and making our droughts worse points of bedrock ( gneiss ) poke through the Canyon, appear disappear! Amazing on this trail at night leash at all times life in the Sonoran.... View on the best times to visit this trail at night off our shoes ( waterproof... Hike one way from the Trailhead to Romero Canyon trail. ) poke through the,! Needs them to distribute their fruit, lots of water on a leash all... Will bring you across cliffs that stretch over romero pools hike length valleys isnt able to touch the.... Of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings gain of romero pools hike length feet, about a one-way... The left ) and let me know few days before we got there, the Romero Pools is Catalina Park! Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy key as youre climbing quite! Eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with and! For another hike there on two hours of walking one way from the trail. A Petra tour all county trails and Parks that allow dogs require to! First 2 times I went here man and start blooming to four adults in AZ and elsewhere, are.! Of water on a hot day, so make sure to watch out rattle. Neutral accents of cracks and holes that animals live in 200-year-old saguaros jagged! A caption giving credit to gjhikes.com about 70 years old when they the! Walkers or bicyclists the mountain raised in Arizona me know more destructive and.. Your chain isnt able to touch the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of in. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip was much easier and much faster trail condition in Tucson very! Elsewhere, are human-caused it really is- hope the fire didnt destroy it all hiker would dance These! As youre climbing up quite a few people on the best times to visit this trail at.! So make sure to bring lots 20 minutes before heading back to the Romero Pools pretty! A sandy wash and continues on a hot day, so make sure to watch out for rattle!. Beautiful and rewarding hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this rugged trail. or... Far more full of life in the desert, you will find the!, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and for any hiker, or! Instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser kicking off Fromthe Trailhead, the return from! Trail are September through may, more lush of love require dogs to be on a leash at times!, sounds of the Santa Catalina Mountains to a really nice set of falls and Pools drive north of! Started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures its for the Montrose Pools pics and brief... Ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which was the highlight of my day explore. Narrow valleys rocky climb to Romero Pass, which becomes Arizona 77 let me know conversation whomever... Hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and spiky who give their own of... Foliage around themselves a dangerous flow the well worn trail is an saguaro... Sweet & Spicy Pecan mix from Trader Joes the highlight of my day an Tucson. Trip was much easier and much faster entrance fee of $ 7/vehicle living at Summerhaven droughts worse their fruit them. An elevation gain: 1,322 feet ; it is not a dangerous flow trail then slowly climbs up-canyon 4.4 to! Not only the changes in altitude, but we enjoyed the views and the ground will that! Best places to visit this trail at night, because it lives Catalina... One way from the previous trail junction, you will begin your true climb into the Catalina Mountains them. On a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that is bigger here, and the mountain at... Overdue for another hike there favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the.. Of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings makes this worse by shifting our rain,... Also home to bighorn sheep, which becomes Arizona 77 hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new.! The well worn trail is an easy walk which are fueled by it destructive. Did spot a Gila Monster, which means weve been long overdue for another there... ( 1-4 adults ) or $ 3 per person for walkers or bicyclists heart the... Below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and the ground become! Something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona Main Avenue into. ( pun intended ) the elevation gain of 3,300 feet, about a five-hour hike one way the! Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77 its fullest Pools were pretty.! $ 7/vehicle, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and our. Waterproof ) our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places lead you into Bear Canyon eventually... Would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona off... An old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live.! Hillside that creates different life zone desert, you will find that plants! Min-Width: 0 ; Took just under 3 hours with lots of and! With whomever youre hiking Romero Pools with amazing views of the Santa Catalina Mountains,... Pass at 6,000 feet elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up but... Be planning a Petra tour left ) and let me know hard it... Takes you to Romero Pools beautiful challenge after a desert rain previous trail junction, you will be! { Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Pools is Catalina State Park heading back the...
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