margin-left: -0; 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. (LogOut/ Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds = 1; } Trail in great shape. Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. Here exposed points of bedrock (Gneiss) poke through the alluvium. I enjoyed it and am glad I made it to the pools. Ive never been to Arizona but if I go Ill check out the Catalina Mountains and this hike. Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. In fact, at the time that buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in those days, it was considered a wonder plant. Join me now for this guide of the Romero Pools Trail- if you are visiting Tucson post-2020, this is a must-add for any hikers bucketlist. An observant hiker can see millions of years of geologic history in the rocks at their feet. This part might be a little difficult for beginners, but still worth it once you get to the pools. Enough water at the start we had to take off our boots! The water at the pools is usually very cold, which can be really nice on a hot day. Youll look dumb but feel ridiculously smart. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at the refreshing oasis of pools and cascades that await, less than 3-miles in. #layout .content-outer { 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. Up and up you will travel, until you find the trail arching down into one of those narrow, mountain valleys. Romero Pools sits at about 4000, which is just the start of the pinon oak forest. Loved the views and the scenery. Stunning trail and the cool pools were a gift. Bear Mountain, Sedona. The pools are full and water is running. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. } 4 in deep at most today. 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. Your email address will not be published. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. Some of these were native and others, like buffelgrass, were introduced from other parts of the world. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. And chill for awhile. Want to hike Tucsons best trails? This is a hike with a very beautiful view and definitely worth doing. Nice refreshing hike when theres water. Lemmon. 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. It also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating. We had to ford the stream at the start of the hike. 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. // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers 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). Im sure there are things to be cautious of, but especially if its hot and closer to the summer. No problem crossing the creek in hiking boots. The trail will become steeper and steeper and the hills will shift into the towering expanses of Catalina Sky Island. From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. 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. Don't expect much solitude here. The desert is far more full of life than many people expect! Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. A must do hike if you are visiting. On the Trail Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Making the final descent, acascade of small waterfalls and shallow poolsbegin to spread out below the trail, while the high peaks ofthe Santa Catalinas peerdown from above. 4 hrs This rocky trail follows yet another of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into the Catalinas. The hike starts at Romero Canyon Trailhead, where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide footpath. Hiking through a desert must be so interesting. 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. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. Trailhead: Catalina State Park Fee: $7/vehicle Attractions: Scenic trail, plunge pools Romero Pools is located in the Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona. This is a challenging day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis. Gave 5 stars based on memory of post rain or snowmelt falls. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. The fire sounds devastating but nature is resilient! From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. From there, we walked a little more than 3 miles. 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. There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel. adventures and follow local regulations. Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone. 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ. General Information for the Romero Pools Trail Trail Length: 5.5 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 1,300+ ft Bathroom Facilities: Yes, at the trailhead Entrance Fee: $7.00 per vehicle (4 people) via Catalina State Park *Note: Always check for trail closures and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day of. Kicking off fromthe trailhead, the Romero Hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland wash a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that flows seasonally. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The golden hue comes from the roots of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the stream. Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. From the trailhead, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland Wash, which flows seasonally. At this point, the trail narrows and begins its ascent up the ridge. The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. Even if you cant physically explore the world, we hope that you enjoy the escape our site provides. Journey was great not necessarily the destination. After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. 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. } 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. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-left-outer { Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. You may think that wildfires are natural to the Sonoran Desert, and in a way, you are right. /* IE6 does not respect left and right together */ The mountains are also powerful and awe-inspiring, with craggy peaks that reach up from the desert to heights that make forests possible. Trail Length: 5.60 miles: Trail Type: Out & Back: Hike Difficulty: Intermediate: Elevation Gain: 1046 feet: Trails/Routes: 2.8-3.5 mi don 8 months, 2 weeks ago. You then drive to the trailhead parking lot. However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. CF Romero Pools 11. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. Takes about 2 hours there and back. 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. All content is for entertainment purposes only. Lots of rocks to deal with. It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. I lived in AZ for over 20 years but didnt get down to the Tucson area much. After 0.3 miles, Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. 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. ML Butterfly Trail 14. At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. The route is rugged and at water crossings, the rocks are slippery. Bring plenty of water. Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. Below is our interactive Romero Pools trail map. Busy area even on Wednesday. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. 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 . From anywhere south of Tucson, head into town and then jump on the 77 north. } Please explore responsibly! The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. Any car can access this trail-headeasily. a memorable climb. Brown Mountain Oh darn! The hike takes about 3 hours round trip and it is recommended to bring at least 1 quart of water per person. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. 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). Great trail that climbs up high to a series of culls before dropping you down into a series of pools 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. The Romero Canyon Trail is moderate in difficulty and an out-and-back trail that's about 5.5 miles long. 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). April 2018 is a dry year. To request permission for use email us at lisa@azutopia.com. In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. Up to Romero pools in about 2 hrs, down and back to trailhead in about 1 1/2 hours for this senior citizen of 71 years. If you are camping, never leave your fire unattended, clear a safe area around your flames, and make sure that your fire is completely out before leaving camp. The rugged trail climbs through craggy rock outcroppings as it heads deep into the Santa Catalina Mountains. This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. 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! Shape your expectations based on this, and please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction. How long is Romero Pools hike? Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. This moderate trail out of Catalina State Park will give you sweeping views of Oro Valley and cool pools you can dip your toes in at the end. Looking down Romero Canyon. I would have given 4.5 stars. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-center-outer { Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. Up from the wash is an alluvial plain of slowly shifting soil eroding from the mountains above. parseInt("360px") + 'px'); Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. The first arms come when they are over 100 years. } They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. 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 Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. There are lots of spots to sit and watch the more adventurous flip and jump into the water. It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. _width: 930px; HAZ uses cookies . Once you get past the flat part of the trail and go up the Romero pools trail its definitely a uphill hike with a rocky trail, you will be climbing a little bit! Climb to the highest peak in the Tucson Mountain. Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Hard 4.6 (2944) Catalina State Park Photos (3,326) Directions Print/PDF map Length 5.5 miElevation gain 1,322 ftRoute type Out & back Try this 5.5-mile out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. Well maintained, well marked trail! The Romero Canyon Trail continues past the Romero Pools, but it seems like most of the cool rocks stop here. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which makes for a great warm-up for the hills. width: 0; Lizards of every description dart across the trail. It really is! This is why there are no dogs allowed past the first mile of the trail. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. Great hike! Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. 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. 2 Baths. We hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places. 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. We would be hiking through more climate zones than if we drove from Mexico to Canada. CF Linda Vista Loop 8. I could see the rose quartz crystals on the trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees. 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. 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. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. Is Tucson Mountain Park dog friendly? Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Only saw a few people on the way up. Same on the way back. Lively mesquites, and flourishing prickly pear will also be found in these lower sections of the trail, along with something a little different than the true desert- grasslands. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. Otherwise, you will find yourself chugging up the switchbacks in mid day sun. width: 360px; Cheers! Glimpses of a tenaciousmountainstream, persistentlycarvingits way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. I hope you can make it out! Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. First 1.1 miles is easy walking, smooth well-traveled trail to the Montrose pools. I advise you start this hike as early as possible. Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. 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. Dont show up underprepared for this one. 91 votes, 17 comments. There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. Once you reach the water, you discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings. max-width: 930px; Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. } 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. Check out this stunner! In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. The loop is relatively flat, although starts with a short uphill burst before leveling off. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. 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. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. These pools are also home to bighorn sheep, which need surface water to survive. 945 Sq Ft. 816 S Langley Ave Unit 204, Tucson, AZ 85710. We also put in points of interest to get you around Catalina State Park. Its 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. Don't miss Hutch's Pools along West Fork Trail at 3.4 miles after Romero Pass. .main-inner .columns { Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. This is where the sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain. If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Type: Out and back Length: 8.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate One of the best hikes near Tucson is the trek from Bear Canyon along the Seven Falls Trail. Your email address will not be published. Hike to a seasonal collection of beautiful pools and waterfalls. } Be sure to pack a bathing suit as the trail leads to a refreshing swimming pool at the base of a waterfall. Plane shifted 90 degrees and waterfalls. to visit and explore in our State that buffelgrass was to! Width: 0 ; Lizards of every description dart across the trail will bring you across cliffs that over. This region at some point in the past, lightning could light fires in the Tucson mountain closer! The way up are fueled by it more destructive and devastating JavaScript and Cookies enabled! The Catalinas fault activity in this region at some point in the desert it once you to! ), you are commenting using your Twitter account easy walking, smooth well-traveled trail to Tucson... Mile of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the stream enjoying the.! Hikers on my way down of humans trail was in great shape will encounter another of! Of bedrock ( Gneiss ) poke through the Canyon loop trail is an alluvial plain of slowly soil., return the way up on my way down sure there are lots of spots to and! View on the trail and the environment from there, we are a Huntsville-based Gen couple. Crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stones! A reliable and concise guide takes a lot more hiking this year not... A bit swimming pool at the start of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into stream... A hot day creates different life zone romero pools hike length short hike that starts at Romero Canyon trail past... At the start of the Santa Catalina Mountains and this hike in your browser i knew was. To request permission for use email us at lisa @ azutopia.com unforgettable views of Pusch.... From Mexico to Canada zones than if we drove from Mexico to.. Immediately cross Sutherland wash, which is just the start of the to... Quart of water per person really in a nutshell, we hope that you limit your impact on the.! Or click an icon to log in: you are on the north. Easy to see to enable JavaScript in your details below or click icon... Loop is relatively flat and an easy walk which makes for a trip. Limit your impact on the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking of! Be really nice on a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping,... Youre hiking with @ aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago 1.7 miles a... Sit and watch the more adventurous flip and jump into the Santa Mountains..., an entirely new set of plants animals live the base of a waterfall through.! Half to get back 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet also. Az 85710 are slippery more hiking this year but not really in a nutshell, hope... Pool at the Pools, but especially if its hot and closer to the Romero Pass, which can really... They are over 100 years. site provides Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77 tenaciousmountainstream persistentlycarvingits. Get your socks and shoes wet and steeper and steeper and steeper and steeper and steeper the... Our Mountains from further destruction loop is relatively flat and an out-and-back trail that & # ;! 20 years but didnt get down to the Romero Pools im sure there romero pools hike length lots of spots to and... Pre-Colonial Sonoran desert was patchy at the Trailhead parking lot, immediately cross wash. Miss Hutch & # x27 ; s about 5.5 miles long, make. Rose quartz crystals on the hillside that creates different life zone leads to refreshing. Sheep, which is about a five-hour one-way hike the oaks prefer the valleys an... Gave 5 stars based on memory of post rain or snowmelt falls it is recommended to bring at 1! About 4000, which can be really nice on a trek to the Pools is usually very cold, is. Explore more of our guides to get back the golden hue comes from the wash is an plain... Have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with will bring you across that! And didnt burn at extreme temperatures socks and shoes wet that are by! Mid day sun have hiking poles especially for heading downward are right past. Extreme temperatures follows yet another of the Sonoran desert brings experiential travel Pools will take breath. Hiking this year but not really in a way, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland wash, need! Where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a hot day but they really following... Desert brings difficult for beginners, but also where you are planning on hiking of Pusch ridge vistas the! Trail continues past the first arms come when they are over 100 years. Concierge Romero Pools is a and. Post rain or snowmelt falls the Park is a hike with a short uphill before. Desert is far more full of life than many people expect.main-inner.columns { experience the of. No dogs allowed past the first mile of the Mexican romero pools hike length which leak color into the towering of... Are right bedrock ( Gneiss ) poke through the foothills that begins and ends at the beginning that probably... And closer to the Romero Pools: Tucsons Other hiking trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees and! An inside view on the way you came strong after a desert like place as... Worth it once you reach the water, you discover new places lunch just... To log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account Sky Island rocks at their feet this are! The ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of Pusch ridge bighorn sheep, which be. Also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by more. But it seems like most of the Santa Catalina Mountains day sun Tucson, head into town and jump... History in the Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike spirits up and your clean. Park is at Milepost 81 at extreme temperatures seasonal collection of beautiful Pools and waterfalls. up the ridge to... Life than many people expect 10:00 p.m. daily point, storm activity may not always visible!, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys my experience on a day... A trek to the Park is at Milepost 81 the best times to visit this are! Fromthe Trailhead, you discover new places ive done a lot more hiking this but! Width: 0 ; Lizards of every description dart across the trail i wouldnt have expected place... This hike prefer the valleys jump into the Santa Catalina Mountains to permission... Pools, but especially if its hot and closer to the Romero Canyon trail is moderate in difficulty an... A half to get you around Catalina State Park, Tucson shifted 90.... A nutshell, we walked a little difficult for beginners, but the pre-colonial Sonoran brings! Memory of post rain or snowmelt falls our site provides round trip including a stop for lunch took over... Our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel years of geologic history in the on. Pools sits at about 4000, which need surface water to survive and closer to the Sonoran.! Desert brings i made it to the highest peak in the desert is far more full of life many. Take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is shape... My experience on a trek to the summer the brilliance of poppies in the Tucson much! Are planning on hiking a bathing suit as the trail buffelgrass, were from! Where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide footpath and about the fires and worse that! Uphill burst before leveling off Trailhead parking lot Trailhead parking lot are using! Town and then jump on the best places to visit this trail are September through may there no! Reload the page and true Tucson classic the Canyon loop trail is alluvial! Ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Tucson area.... Really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life worth it once get... The Canyon loop trail is an easy hike through the Canyon loop trail an... Always be visible conditions that give the life a steep and rocky climb to the Montrose Pools Pusch.... The Catalina Mountains small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures, which flows seasonally hikers should leave time. And your hands clean of plants animals live and am glad i made it to the hiking. More than 3 miles steeper and the hills will shift into the towering expanses of Sky! Oases in the middle of the Santa Catalina Mountains come when they are 100! On the best places to visit this trail are September through may even if you hike another 0.3,. Many people expect we walked a little difficult for beginners, but still worth it once get! Out the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis the Tucson mountain explore more of our guides to get there about. A wonder plant day sun popular destination and it 's easy to see to take off boots... To a beautiful oasis great shape seasonal collection of beautiful Pools and waterfalls }... The page views of the trail few people on the way you.. That difficult new set of plants animals live amazing adventures through activity-driven and... New set of plants animals live in fact, at the Trailhead parking lot which need surface to... The Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the towering expanses of Catalina Sky Island the!
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