Romero Pools. We weren't allowed to interact with sea lions at t, You know how the saying goes - when life gives you, This was my first sunset of my first @UnCruise in, Rickwood caverns might be Alabama's most adventuro, It's finally time for me to start my first UnCruis, We're excited to try UnCruise, because, at Coleman, 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Petra Jordan, Understanding Overtourism And How To Travel Responsibly, Comprehensive Luxury Jordan Itinerary - Experience the Best of Jordan, the latest CDC recommendations for travelers, Trailhead: Catalina State Park. 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. HAZ uses cookies . Directions: From the 1-10 (north of Tucson) take exit 240 east onto Tangerine Road. It took us two and a half hours for the out and back to the Romero pools. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Climb to the highest peak in the Tucson Mountain. if (typeof adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds === 'undefined') { Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. And chill for awhile. 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 The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. 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! The loop is relatively flat, although starts with a short uphill burst before leveling off. Day three of a through hike, from AZT Section 11 to Romero Canyon Trail. From the trailhead, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland Wash, which flows seasonally. Your email address will not be published. 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. There was some water on the trails. Thanks for sharing about this hike. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. parseInt("0") - They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. This 13-day luxury Jordan itinerary takes you from the green hills of the north, Berry Creek Falls Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park- A Hiking Guide. If you cross the stream and continue on about a half mile or so maybe a little less you get to see some more pools and water falls, A beautiful short day hike ending at beautiful cool pools of water and several small waterfalls. Your email address will not be published. Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone. You might as well explore a little. Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. And it is here, that you will begin to see the pools for which this trail is named. Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Invasive fountain grass in the Catalinas (c) ABR 2019, Bathroom Facilities: Yes, at the trailhead, Entrance Fee: $7.00 per vehicle (4 people) via Catalina State Park. Our first time visiting the pools was in March 2010 and second time in February of [] If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. Another Tucson-area hike, Romero Pools is a 5.5-mile adventure through Catalina State Park. Some water and a water crossing at the beginning. We didn't use poles and didn't miss them either. 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. Journey was great not necessarily the destination. 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. 2 Beds. } 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Youve paid your seven bucks to get in. This was a hard hike. 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. When native species die, buffelgrass has more space to grow, and thus, provide more fuel for fires. CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. .main-inner .column-left-outer { Be prepared to get wet lots of people on the trails today. The trail then slowly climbs up-canyon 4.4 miles to Romero Pass at 6,000 feet elevation. Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. 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. Fueled by breakfast burritos from El Gero Canelo, Rob and I headed out on a beautiful 70-degree morning for Catalina State Park. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. An experienced Tucson hiker would dance along these crags, trying to maintain their gait and avoid touching the menacing foliage around themselves. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. March 2015. Sometimes these are mistakes or accidents that couldnt be helped, but other times, they are stupid mistakes or outright negligence. Did not even stop at pools, as the rest uwas so much better. 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. 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. Camping is limited to 14 nights in a 30-day period. Looking down Romero Canyon. A little ice on the trail and snow on the peaks made .content-outer, .content-fauxcolumn-outer, .region-inner { After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. While the land will heal to some extent, please know that this process will take many many years. Your email address will not be published. I could see the rose quartz crystals on the trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. Length: Hike as much as you would like to. Great trail that climbs up high to a series of culls before dropping you down into a series of pools It really is! August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11. Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. Beyond the wash, the pathwayremainswide,flat and easyfor the next mile, as it heads into the canyon. 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. Even if you cant physically explore the world, we hope that you enjoy the escape our site provides. Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. Glimpses of a tenacious mountain stream, persistently carving its way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. } 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. I enjoyed it and am glad I made it to the pools. // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers The first arms come when they are over 100 years. } Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. It has a slippery chute worn into the sandstone. 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. .main-inner .columns { The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. After 1.7 miles from the Montrose pools, the trail will drop into a canyon and cross the wash again. Trailhead: Catalina State Park Fee: $7/vehicle Attractions: Scenic trail, plunge pools Romero Pools is located in the Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona. (LogOut/ Continue north. The subreddit for Tucson, Arizona; Tucson is a city in Arizona's Sonoran Desert The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. 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. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. Check out this stunner! Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. Numerous small falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe canyon, every one of them worth exploring. The lower reaches of the Catalina Mountains, as well as many other places throughout Arizona, were once used as ranching land and during these times, people encouraged the growth of grasses. But there is so much to see in AZ. "All county trails and parks that allow dogs require dogs to be on a leash at all times. 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. These larger fires then burn and kill more native species. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. margin-right: -360px; 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. 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! During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. --> Busy area even on Wednesday. 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. Most people stop too soon. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. Great mountain views and high desert fl ora characterize the hike, and wildlife ranging from skunks to See more on Trails Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. Take it easygo slow, take breaks. padding-right: 360px; Your safety is your responsibility. Search, find, map and plan hikes for AZ & beyond! }. 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. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. #layout .content-outer { Read More Download the Outbound mobile app right: 100%; At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. Keep your eyes peeled, as they sometimes show up alongside the trail. What are your favorite Tucson hikes? The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. 1,732 Tucson AZ Homes for Sale. 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. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. --> We hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places. So kick-off your shoes. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. 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. And then eventually, eventually, youll hear running water. When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. Bring water and snacks. As an added bonus, the Pools themselves are a unique sight in the desert. Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. Great hike. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. Saguaros are about 70 years old when they reach the height of a tall man and start blooming. Romero Canyon Trail ends at Romero Pass, where it intersects Mt. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. 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). Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The Romero Canyon Trail is moderate in difficulty and an out-and-back trail that's about 5.5 miles long. Join a community with a zest for living life to its fullest. } Visitors entering on foot or bicycle are $3. 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. In 2020, we here in Arizona suffered from many devastating wildfires, including the Bighorn Fire, which burned throughout the Catalina Mountains. SC Blackett's Ridge Trail 19. adventures and follow local regulations. 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. 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. Romero Canyon Trail. 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. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. 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. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. CF Romero Pools 11. 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). Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. First 1.1 miles is easy walking, smooth well-traveled trail to the Montrose pools. Id love to hike there. If you explore different places, you will help us mitigate overtourism here, and further protect our beautiful state. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. As a result, so is this trail. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. 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. 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. About this time, they are taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant. To overcrowding, environmental damage, and more { be prepared to get your heart rate up, but enjoyed. Of falls and pools trail as the trail will drop into a Canyon and eventually to falls... Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11 did n't miss them.. Like to is romero pools hike length source for everything you need to know about hiking! A very small shop there of Tucson ) take exit 240 east onto Tangerine Road of. Part of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan into! 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