Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. Fire rules are meant to help prevent fires, so please respect them. width: 800px; The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. 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. Views were beautiful as you got farther into the mountains. 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. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. What are your favorite Tucson hikes? // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers They are a juxtaposition between strength and vulnerability, taking and giving that forms this world in balance. Youll look dumb but feel ridiculously smart. Nature, and everyone that loves nature will thank you! Continue your trek upwards, exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water. This is typical sonoran desert hiking as you'll see plenty of your favorite cacti. People frequently have to get rescued from this canyon. On the Trail Saguaros are about 70 years old when they reach the height of a tall man and start blooming. If you are out of shape, this could be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded. We love hearing from our readers. by Paul Riedinger. Is Tucson Mountain Park dog friendly? Id love to hike there. Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. Some water and a water crossing at the beginning. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. invasive plants), is a dangerous cycle. Ive lived here my whole life and I still learn about new trails every day. margin-right: -360px; It's true it's hard but it's a beautiful challenge. At this point, the trail narrows and begins its ascent up the ridge. Camping is limited to 14 nights in a 30-day period. Beyond the wash, the pathwayremainswide,flat and easyfor the next mile, as it heads into the canyon. 4 hrs This rocky trail follows yet another of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into the Catalinas. 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. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at the refreshing oasis of pools and cascades that await, less than 3-miles in. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. It takes 10 years for a baby saguaro to reach one inch tall. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at therefreshing oasisof pools and cascades that await, less than 3-milesin. Journey was great not necessarily the destination. I was there two weeks ago and went to the upper pools. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this 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. (LogOut/ Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. Romero Canyon Pools. Please read our disclaimer. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. 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. Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. First aid supplies can be helpful in dire situations or in the case of an accident, however, they come in handy quite often even on hikes that go basically without a hitch. Quick Facts Bring lots of water and be careful on the rocks in the pools, as they are quite slippery! Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the trail. You might even run into a ressssident. We would be hiking through more climate zones than if we drove from Mexico to Canada. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. } adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; It's roughly 80 feet in length. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! No matter what your level of physical fitness is, you are sure to break a sweat on this climb. a memorable climb. Hiking info for Romero Pools via Romero Canyon, located in Catalina State Park, Arizona. However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. This is challenging hike. Take a dip. Looks so gorgeous! 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. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or I love Catalina State Park! Beautiful views, though very busy. Id estimate 1.8 of those were pure elevation gains, baby. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. This route requires a shuttle, but is a great hike to traverse the Santa Catalina Mountains. I lived in AZ for over 20 years but didnt get down to the Tucson area much. The mountains are also powerful and awe-inspiring, with craggy peaks that reach up from the desert to heights that make forests possible. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. There is a fee to enter the park: $7/veh. What we have on our hands, with buffelgrass and other exotic plant species that are spreading rapidly and hurting our native species (e.g. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. I hope you can make it out! But one of the trails that I did explore (and have since revisited) is Romero Pools Trail. Was in and out in four hours. As an added bonus, the Pools themselves are a unique sight in the desert. Don't expect much solitude here. Suggest ankle support. The first part of the trail is pretty easy, but it increases in difficulty after that. Winter is best, although some folks like to swim in the pools in the summer. 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. After a while, I realized that I just liked watching the diversity of life and land. 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. Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone. An experienced Tucson hiker would dance along these crags, trying to maintain their gait and avoid touching the menacing foliage around themselves. Great hike. Creek crossing in 1st 50 yards. You'll peak out after climbing 1000 feet. From the trailhead, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland Wash, which flows seasonally. If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. 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. Bear Mountain, Sedona. April 2018 is a dry year. Catalina State Park Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools I love finding water in these remote areas. The hike starts at Romero Canyon Trailhead, where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide footpath. 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. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. --> The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. // the wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists fire-adapted! 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