A friendly chipmunk, which we spotted far from that guy <, 9 Unexpected Things You Should Pack for a Long Vacation Arizona Travels, Head lamp: good for dusk and dawn hikes. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. Read my Best Hikes in Tucson article or check out our individual Tucson Hiking Guides. During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. #layout .region-inner { After 0.3 miles, turn left on Main Avenue. 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. Nestled in Arizona's Catalina State Park, just north of Tuscon, are the Romero Pools. I would have given 4.5 stars. (LogOut/ I love Catalina State Park! invasive plants), is a dangerous cycle. We would be hiking through more climate zones than if we drove from Mexico to Canada. The first arms come when they are over 100 years. Both should only be done with organizations that know how to safely carry out these activities. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. I use. Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-right-outer { Mount Kimball. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, hat/glasses as there is very little shade on this moderately strenuous trail. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Your email address will not be published. Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. azutopia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Its 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. Romero Canyon is in the heart of the Pusch Wilderness, where Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced and are protected. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. The views were pretty but the pools were not impressive enough to endure the long, rocky hike. Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back. Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. The Romero Pools Trail is not appropriate for people that are not prepared via supplies and physical ability. Most people stop too soon. I love finding water in these remote areas. Once you reach the water, you discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings. The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. Don't miss Hutch's Pools along West Fork Trail at 3.4 miles after Romero Pass. Climb to the highest peak in the Tucson Mountain. As expected, the return trip was much easier and much faster. The hike to Romero Pools measures 2.8 miles one-way, and the downhill return is much easier. Total Distance: 2.8 Miles To Romero Pools If you're into waterfalls, the Romero Pools hike is a must-do. He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11. left: 0; On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The fire sounds devastating but nature is resilient! Department of Medical Imaging 1501 N. Campbell | P.O. This is why there are no dogs allowed past the first mile of the trail. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. Was in and out in four hours. Today, however, things are different. Continue north. The Nala shoes are great for cold, wet weather but also perform well on the trail. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; .main-inner .column-left-outer { Also, no dogs on the second part of the trail due to bighorn sheep. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. I would love to go hiking around here. Take a dip. It was highly resilient and cattle seemed to prefer it as forage. Lizards of every description dart across the trail. Great trail that climbs up high to a series of culls before dropping you down into a series of pools Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the 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). Dogs are not allowed. Views of the mountains during the hike is exceptional. Water was flowing great at the end. 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. The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. 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). First 1.1 miles is easy walking, smooth well-traveled trail to the Montrose pools. Hiking info for Romero Pools via Romero Canyon, located in Catalina State Park, Arizona. Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. The mountains are also powerful and awe-inspiring, with craggy peaks that reach up from the desert to heights that make forests possible. 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. We got up early the first morning and hit the canyon loop trail and part of the Romero Pools hike. Did not even stop at pools, as the rest uwas so much better. } After a while, I realized that I just liked watching the diversity of life and land. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. Lots of rocks to deal with. Really, people underestimate the desert. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). This means at the very start (and end) you will have to wade through about 30 yards of water. 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. They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. If you look closely, you can even see a few red barked Manzanita extending their range down from the mid altitude mountains where they thrive. As the trailzig-zags upcraggy Romero Canyon, between larger-than-life boulder-scapes, a 180 turn reveals increasingly radicalviews ofMarana, stretching all the way to the horizon. A scenic hike with lots of rocky areas. Just past aspur trail to Montrose Pools (a scenic, sometimes flowing, stream bed) the Romero Hiking Trail begins to climb in earnest. 945 Sq Ft. 816 S Langley Ave Unit 204, Tucson, AZ 85710. Romero Pools is a full sun hike, even though we ended up in a riparian area. On the Trail If you are out of shape, this could be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. Any car can access this trail-headeasily. There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. This is challenging hike. The trail starts flat the first mile and then has steep incline. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet Avoid Dehydration Return to top Supervisor's Office 300 W. Congress St. Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 388-8300 Contact Us Recreation.gov askUSDA Report Fraud on USDA Contracts Accessibility Statement WhiteHouse.gov Policies and Links Visit OIG Privacy Policy document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Vote for leaders that are committed to making positive changes that help us successfully transition our economy away from dirty energy. 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. Wearing hiking shoes. Jordan is a relatively small country with a deep and rich history and stunning natural beauty. 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. Bring lots of water and be careful on the rocks in the pools, as they are quite slippery! Stunning trail and the cool pools were a gift. Thus, for your sake and the sake of the local community, go prepared. by Paul Riedinger. But one of the trails that I did explore (and have since revisited) is Romero Pools Trail. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Ive never been to Arizona but if I go Ill check out the Catalina Mountains and this hike. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. Its in these washes where we have seen the black and yellow spotted gila monsters, the largest lizards of the desert. Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. Oh shoot! Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. Hi! 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. /* IE6 does not respect left and right together */ I imagine theyre most full during monsoon season, but its brutally hot then. Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. Share this trail: Previous Next. Below is our interactive Romero Pools trail map. You will also find cliffs of . 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. Activities Hiking There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. If you have a trailer, ensure that your chain isnt able to touch the ground. We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. To request permission for use email us at lisa@azutopia.com. 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 . Otherwise, you will find yourself chugging up the switchbacks in mid day sun. Beautiful weather and the water was running. Find TrailDEX Filter . The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. We hiked for another 1.7 miles to reach the pools. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app CF Canyon Loop Trail 6. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which makes for a great warm-up for the hills. after 1.1 miles, we reached the foothills. Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . Here exposed points of bedrock (Gneiss) poke through the alluvium. 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). Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. padding-right: 360px; Bear Mountain, Sedona. Continue your trek upwards, exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water. CF Romero Pools 11. At this point, the trail narrows and begins its ascent up the ridge. Sometimes these are mistakes or accidents that couldnt be helped, but other times, they are stupid mistakes or outright negligence. There is just a trickle. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. (LogOut/ A little ice on the trail and snow on the peaks made All copy and images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia. 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. Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. Required fields are marked *. The Romero Pools are situated about 3 miles from the trailhead and are beautiful. This is the location of the Romero Pools and the turn around point for this hike. Stay right here. Wasson Peak. There is always something going on (bird tours, music nights) and many trails to travel. adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds = 1; Continue for 13 miles then turn right atCatalina State Park. Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. 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. However footing is key as youre climbing up quite a few rock formations. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at the refreshing oasis of pools and cascades that await, less than 3-miles in. After 0.3 miles, Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. Here they can send their tap roots down to harvest the water below. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. --> 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. Trail is very well maintained and easy to follow to the water pools. Basic HTML is allowed. You might also consider donating to this work. And of course, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts worse. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. This is a challenging day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis. Making sure there were cold beers in our fridge to celebrate with when we got home. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. We had lunch at some pools and had spectacular views along the way. How long is Romero Pools hike? From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. The Romero Canyon Trail continues past the Romero Pools, but it seems like most of the cool rocks stop here. . } Then, I used Tucson hiking as training for places like Havasu Falls or Angels Landing. When native species die, buffelgrass has more space to grow, and thus, provide more fuel for fires. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I was a peak bagger at first, trying to lay claim to every summit I could see. Vistas, waterfalls, lots of varied terrain. 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. I loved it! Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone. D riving along busy Oracle Road, with its plethora of housing developments and shopping malls, one does not expect the grand and wild beauty that awaits just inside the entrance to Catalina State Park. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. This post may contain affiliate links. There are few hikes in the country with this level of biodiversity that also offer a glimpse of the pernicious and hidden Sonoran landscape. Felt more like a medium trail. 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. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. Not hard but moderate difficulty. 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 Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. Everyone needs to be aware of this huge impact, how to help mitigation the impacts of these natural disasters, and what it means for us here on the West Coast. You can hike the entire 7.6-mile out-and-back length, or turn around whenever you've had enough. What are your favorite Tucson hikes? } 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. Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! That being said go for it - its beautiful and worth it. right: 100%; Catalina State Park: Return visit after many yeard - See 809 traveler reviews, 543 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. The nature there is beautiful! From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. We passed an ancient mortar stone where the Indians would grind mesquite pods into flour. The Nightborn Travel team was born and raised in Arizona. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . Quick Facts parseInt("360px") + 'px'); (LogOut/ The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. 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. CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. This trail starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead with an easy walk of about a mile. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! There's also a shuttle that will take you to the top and back for a small fee. Smartest decision we made? Thanks for sharing about this hike. Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! 2 Baths. Catalina state park is very popular. Cheers! Grub: none of that M&M-filled stuff. Your email address will not be published. Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,322 feet; I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. Either a Diamondback or a King Snakedidnt want to get too close! Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. I was there two weeks ago and went to the upper pools. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. We know our state well and we love it. First, as you traverse the hills on your way towards the mountains, you will notice some of the charismatic plants that everyone envisions of when they think about the Sonoran Desert- like the saguaro. 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. 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. . Trail, improvements Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. Id estimate 1.8 of those were pure elevation gains, baby. People underestimate how diverse and living the desert is. Romero Canyon Trail. This is a hike with a very beautiful view and definitely worth doing. In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. Hiking poles HIGHLY recommended except those who have strong legs, great knees. Trail Length: 5.60 miles: Trail Type: Out & Back: Hike Difficulty: Intermediate: Elevation Gain: 1046 feet: Trails/Routes: 2.8-3.5 mi The difficulty increases with the length of the hike. padding-left: 0; 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. Medium Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. It's roughly 80 feet in length. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. Change). This was a hard hike. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. _width: expression(this.parentNode.offsetWidth - The rugged trail climbs through craggy rock outcroppings as it heads deep into the Santa Catalina Mountains. The first plant we noticed was the famous Saguaro cactus. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. Views were beautiful as you got farther into the mountains. 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). Learn more about overtourism and tips for sustainable travel here! A must do hike if you are visiting. } These giants are the old growth forest of the American Southwest. margin-right: -360px; Loved the views and the scenery. And more people using the land, especially people who arent responsible, increase incidences of human-caused fire. Journey was great not necessarily the destination. It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. When you pause, youll hear the rustling of wildlife among tall, dry grass; calls to each other with buzzes, tweets and chirps. Romero Pools sits at about 4000, which is just the start of the pinon oak forest. width: 0; The trail heads down one boulder strewn slope and up another before beginning its final descent to Romero Pools. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Your email address will not be published. Emerald Pools. Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. And it is here, that you will begin to see the pools for which this trail is named. } Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. //