Romero Canyon Pools. 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. Keep your eyes peeled, as they sometimes show up alongside the trail. Jordan is a relatively small country with a deep and rich history and stunning natural beauty. We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. Romero Pools, Tucson. Suggest ankle support. Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . 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. From there, we walked a little more than 3 miles. But one of the trails that I did explore (and have since revisited) is Romero Pools Trail. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. Trail in great shape. Once you reach the first junction, bear right to stay on course for the pools. The hike follows the north side of Romero Canyon offering great canyon views, views of the Catalinas, and a great mixture of switchbacks, rocks and level hiking all within one hike. Thus, for your sake and the sake of the local community, go prepared. I hope you can make it out! Oh shoot! You can download the trail layer to your GPS, or navigate right off your phone. min-width: 0; In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel. #layout { What are your favorite Tucson hikes? 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. right: 100%; From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. min-width: 0; Glimpses of a tenacious mountain stream, persistently carving its way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. For us, it was a bit of a slug fest. adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; Below is our interactive Romero Pools trail map. SunCloud Patrol Polarized Womens Sunglasses. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. ML Marshall Gulch Loop 16.ML Meadow Trail 17. I was a peak bagger at first, trying to lay claim to every summit I could see. Great hike. And chill for awhile. They need the saguaros just like the saguaro needs them to distribute their fruit. I was there two weeks ago and went to the upper pools. I could see the rose quartz crystals on the trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees. Enough water at the start we had to take off our boots! 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. This route requires a shuttle, but is a great hike to traverse the Santa Catalina Mountains. 2 Beds. CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. . This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. Also, no dogs on the second part of the trail due to bighorn sheep. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. When you pause, youll hear the rustling of wildlife among tall, dry grass; calls to each other with buzzes, tweets and chirps. Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. Always a gorgeous hike! Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. Wasson Peak. The Romero Pools section is an extremely popular portion of this scenic trail, but there's so much more after the pools! Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). Starting from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area you'll want to follow signs for the Bear Canyon Trail. Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. We love hearing from our readers. This means at the very start (and end) you will have to wade through about 30 yards of water. This article covers the 15. Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet Basic HTML is allowed. Park at the end of the road. (say the g as an h>sah-wah-roh). 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. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. } There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. The next 1.7 miles are a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. April 2018 is a dry year. 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. However, at the end, you'll see the gorgeous pools and have views of Mt. Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. There is an old (bad) joke about the trail condition in Tucson being very gneiss (pun intended). 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. --> I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. The difficulty increases with the length of the hike. 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. Dragging chains spark and in the dry conditions of Arizona, this can easily spark a fire. Id estimate 1.8 of those were pure elevation gains, baby. 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. And of course, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts worse. This is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do it in the early part of the year. Even though Mt Lemmon is 100 miles away, they have their own flavors of squirrels living at Summerhaven. Take it easygo slow, take breaks. Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. It is not a dangerous flow. 1,732 Tucson AZ Homes for Sale. Our first time visiting the pools was in March 2010 and second time in February of [] The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. . 6.8 total Rocky but very doable. From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible. Don't miss Hutch's Pools along West Fork Trail at 3.4 miles after Romero Pass. } While the land will heal to some extent, please know that this process will take many many years. Maps, directions, and reviews. On the Trail It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. Please read our disclaimer. Im sure there are things to be cautious of, but especially if its hot and closer to the summer. The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. 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). A must do hike if you are visiting. Catalina state park is very popular. Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. I advise you start this hike as early as possible. We know our state well and we love it. So kick-off your shoes. Be advised that the Rio Canada del Oro is currently flowing (it is normally a dry wash). They are old and slow growing. 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. This post may contain affiliate links. width: 800px; Really, people underestimate the desert. 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. Day three of a through hike, from AZT Section 11 to Romero Canyon Trail. During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. 4 in deep at most today. The water at the pools is usually very cold, which can be really nice on a hot day. margin-right: -360px; What we have on our hands, with buffelgrass and other exotic plant species that are spreading rapidly and hurting our native species (e.g. 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 are in Tucson, take the 77 north to the state park. 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. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. Brown Mountain We hiked for another 1.7 miles to reach the pools. Please explore responsibly! Beautiful looking hike. This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. Bring hiking shoes or sandals that provide good traction and trekking poles to help with stability. a memorable climb. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. This part might be a little difficult for beginners, but still worth it once you get to the pools. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. 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. This isnt an easy trail. The trail heads down one boulder strewn slope and up another before beginning its final descent to Romero Pools. The mountains are also powerful and awe-inspiring, with craggy peaks that reach up from the desert to heights that make forests possible. We had to ford the stream at the start of the hike. The trail starts flat the first mile and then has steep incline. No problem crossing the creek in hiking boots. Share this trail: Previous Next. They are a juxtaposition between strength and vulnerability, taking and giving that forms this world in balance. In 2020, we here in Arizona suffered from many devastating wildfires, including the Bighorn Fire, which burned throughout the Catalina Mountains. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. To enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. ML Butterfly Trail 14. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! Quite rugged uphill but clear path. 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. Should prepare your knees and leg muscles for descent. This is where the sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain. One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. min-width: 930px; It has a slippery chute worn into the sandstone. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. .content-outer, .content-fauxcolumn-outer, .region-inner { FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Nestled in Arizona's Catalina State Park, just north of Tuscon, are the Romero Pools. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. 5mi 4h 30m Show 3 More Check-Ins Nearby Recommended Routes Canyon Loop via Horse Trail 3.1 mi 285' Up 286' Down Honeybee Canyon Short Loop 12.3 mi 456' Up 457' Down Catalina, AZ People frequently have to get rescued from this canyon. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. If you have a trailer, ensure that your chain isnt able to touch the ground. by Paul Riedinger. Shape your expectations based on this, and please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction. Just like becoming one with the heat, we became one with the desert landscape. Lost trail there. The first arms come when they are over 100 years. Youll stretch your legs up and over steep steps, hop from rock to rock and carefully balance close to the trails edge. But otherwise great trail! Our much older blog posts can still be found here. Fueled by breakfast burritos from El Gero Canelo, Rob and I headed out on a beautiful 70-degree morning for Catalina State Park. The trail now starts to gain elevation more aggressively and steadily for the remainder of the hike to the pools. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, hat/glasses as there is very little shade on this moderately strenuous trail. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. You will also find cliffs of . There are few hikes in the country with this level of biodiversity that also offer a glimpse of the pernicious and hidden Sonoran landscape. Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. Hiking in Arizona is really amazing. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. Takes about 2 hours there and back. Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. Other than that it was a great hike. The Romero Pools Trail is not appropriate for people that are not prepared via supplies and physical ability. min-width: 930px; This is challenging hike. 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! 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. 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