And chill for awhile. We hiked out wilderness of rocks to marshall gulch. 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! width: auto; 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. Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back. Discover this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. About this time, they are taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant. margin-left: -0; } The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which. Its been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means weve been long overdue for another hike there. This is typical sonoran desert hiking as you'll see plenty of your favorite cacti. 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 So kick-off your shoes. 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. ML Marshall Gulch Loop 16.ML Meadow Trail 17. 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. 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 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. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. Edit Sights to See Sutherland Trailhead Montrose Pools Add a Report donnasitesrealtor 1 week, 6 days ago dudic.gary 1 year, 10 months ago March 2015. Remember that grass I mentioned earlier, buffelgrass? 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. From there, we walked a little more than 3 miles. Your email address will not be published. Bring enough water. There is an old (bad) joke about the trail condition in Tucson being very gneiss (pun intended). Wearing hiking shoes. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. March 2015. It also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating. The trail continues across the wash, deeper into the Coronado national forest, but these pools are a good turn around point. 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. Bring water and snacks. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,322 feet; Beautiful hike. And more people using the land, especially people who arent responsible, increase incidences of human-caused fire. Suggest ankle support. 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. Bring lots of water and be careful on the rocks in the pools, as they are quite slippery! The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. $175,000 Open Wed 9AM - 7PM. 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. Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. Your email address will not be published. It really is- hope the fire didnt destroy it all. Your safety is your responsibility. Basic HTML is allowed. Romero Canyon Trail takes you to Romero Pools with amazing views of the state park below. From Tucson, follow Speedway Boulevard east. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. Up and up you will travel, until you find the trail arching down into one of those narrow, mountain valleys. Romero Canyon Trail ends at Romero Pass, where it intersects Mt. 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. I did spot a Gila Monster, which was the highlight of my day. Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. "All county trails and parks that allow dogs require dogs to be on a leash at all times. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. Water was flowing great at the end. Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. People frequently have to get rescued from this canyon. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel. As for jumping in the water, you actually have to be careful because if the water isnt deep enough you might not be safe there. Hiking info for Romero Pools via Romero Canyon, located in Catalina State Park, Arizona. What are your favorite Tucson hikes? These larger fires then burn and kill more native species. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. Youll stretch your legs up and over steep steps, hop from rock to rock and carefully balance close to the trails edge. 4. I imagine theyre most full during monsoon season, but its brutally hot then. The Romero Pools Trail is not appropriate for people that are not prepared via supplies and physical ability. Daylight and weather are also key- do not hike during monsoons and avoid hiking this trail at night. Only saw a few people on the way up. Once we realize that we are only an observer, we could see the true beauty and diversity of life here. if (typeof adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds === 'undefined') { Saguaros are about 70 years old when they reach the height of a tall man and start blooming. During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. You might also consider donating to this work. The Romero Hiking Trail continues another 4.4 miles, beyond the pools, to Romero Pass (miles not included above) for those who want to hike further. AZ is one of the most biodiverse states in the US! Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. Take a dip. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! _width: 930px; padding-left: 0; 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). To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. To enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. No matter what your level of physical fitness is, you are sure to break a sweat on this climb. Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. We took our boots off and waded across the steadily flowing wash. Once on the other side of the wash, you'll reach a trailhead junction. If It doesnt load the first time, hit your reset button . Catalina State Park Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. } Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. Maps, directions, and reviews. It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. parseInt("0") - Once you reach the water, you discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings. CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. This is challenging hike. The trail will become steeper and steeper and the hills will shift into the towering expanses of Catalina Sky Island. (say the g as an h>sah-wah-roh). We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. An observant hiker can see millions of years of geologic history in the rocks at their feet. I love finding water in these remote areas. min-width: 0; If you arrive and the first pools feel a bit crowded, just continue up the wash. You are sure to find a serene location to take a dip. 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. Romero Pools sits at about 4000, which is just the start of the pinon oak forest. This means that buffelgrass thrives after wildfires; it grows back quickly, its seeds benefit from the fire, and in Arizona, fires also wipe out competitive species, making more room for buffelgrass. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. left: 0; 2 Baths. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Otherwise, you will find yourself chugging up the switchbacks in mid day sun. The hiking trail is an easy one and is quite scenic complete with pretty yellow wildflowers. Our first time visiting the pools was in March 2010 and second time in February of [] // Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. These giants are the old growth forest of the American Southwest. The fire sounds devastating but nature is resilient! Lemmon Trail (to Mt. 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. Login and be the first to review! While the land will heal to some extent, please know that this process will take many many years. The Romero Canyon Trail is moderate in difficulty and an out-and-back trail that's about 5.5 miles long. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. } Make sure to check in when you return to your car! We had lunch at some pools and had spectacular views along the way. Really, people underestimate the desert. And make whatever changes you can in your own life to help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and save energy. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. You'll peak out after climbing 1000 feet. We ran out of water on a hot day, so make sure to bring lots. Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. Ready for a hike? 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. place Pima County, Arizona . Camping is limited to 14 nights in a 30-day period. This is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do it in the early part of the year. 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. Trail, improvements Lizards of every description dart across the trail. 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. 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. Hike Description: This hike is an out and back up Romero Canyon Trail to some picturesque pools in the Catalina Mountains. There are lots of spots to sit and watch the more adventurous flip and jump into the water. Start your hike at the trailhead parking lot, cross Sutherland Wash, and then begin your steep climb up to the pools. }. Lots of rocks to deal with. Box 245067 | Tucson, Arizona 85724 (520)-626-1069 | Admin Login The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. We passed an ancient mortar stone where the Indians would grind mesquite pods into flour. Takes about 2 hours there and back. Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. Always a gorgeous hike! Thus, for your sake and the sake of the local community, go prepared. 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. } On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Romero Pools. Help hold major polluting companies accountable for their impacts so that they will innovate on solutions. This is the location of the Romero Pools and the turn around point for this hike. Fire rules are meant to help prevent fires, so please respect them. 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. 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. How long is Romero Pools hike? 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. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. To stay on the Romero canyon trail, stay left here. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . #layout { This trail starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead with an easy walk of about a mile. The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. 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). } The Nightborn Travel team was born and raised in Arizona. (LogOut/ Don't expect much solitude here. Lemmon. August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. a memorable climb. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. After 0.3 miles, Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77. Search, find, map and plan hikes for AZ & beyond! Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. They are fully grown at 200, reaching a height of 45 with roots growing more than 60 around in all directions. They need the saguaros just like the saguaro needs them to distribute their fruit. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. Visitors entering on foot or bicycle are $3. The vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused. This was a hard hike. They are a juxtaposition between strength and vulnerability, taking and giving that forms this world in balance. I wish Id know about the Romero Pools Trail back then! Its in these washes where we have seen the black and yellow spotted gila monsters, the largest lizards of the desert. Thanks for sharing about this hike. #layout .region-inner { Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. We kept saying that the trails were much rougher than we remembered as we slugged along. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Brown Mountain parseInt("360px") + 'px'); The Pinnacle itself features several trad, sport, and top rope routes including a series of anchors and chains at the top. You will also find cliffs of . 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. The Romero Pools are situated about 3 miles from the trailhead and are beautiful. Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. min-width: 0; Crossed it by taking off our shoes (not waterproof). min-width: 930px; --> On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It really is! April 2018 is a dry year. Was a little cold to get started. CF Finger Rock Trail 7. As a result, it is the most popular hike in Catalina State Park. Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. The subreddit for Tucson, Arizona; Tucson is a city in Arizona's Sonoran Desert I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. Trail Length: 5.60 miles: Trail Type: Out & Back: Hike Difficulty: Intermediate: Elevation Gain: 1046 feet: Trails/Routes: 2.8-3.5 mi Lemmon) and West Fork Sabino Trail (to Sabino Canyon). padding-right: 360px; Not hard but moderate difficulty. As expected, the return trip was much easier and much faster. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. min-width: 930px; They need their host plant when they are young, which they eventually kill as they grow. Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! Dogs are allowed for the first mile or so, after which the trail runs through Bighorn Sheep wilderness, which is strictly protected and dogs are strictly forbidden. I would have given 4.5 stars. Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet 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). .main-inner .fauxcolumn-left-outer { Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Share this trail: Previous Next. right: 100%; The park is conveniently located just 30 minutes of the big city of Tucson and just 5 minutes from the smaller city of Oro Valley. Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. Below is our interactive Romero Pools trail map. All copy and images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia. Thats why the water is there to jump in just in case. Great hike. Well maintained trail. 4 hrs This rocky trail follows yet another of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into the Catalinas. However, best just to not be out there if a fire is out of hand, and part of the work is teaching people to stop starting the fires on accident or otherwise. 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). Views of the mountains during the hike is exceptional.