Bring water and snacks. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. 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. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which. Tucson, AZ. However footing is key as youre climbing up quite a few rock formations. Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. 4 hrs This rocky trail follows yet another of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into the Catalinas. (LogOut/ Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. Some of these were native and others, like buffelgrass, were introduced from other parts of the world. 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 Bring snacks. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. And chill for awhile. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. I loved it! This article covers the 15. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. Romero Pools. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. 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. 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 Otherwise, you will find yourself chugging up the switchbacks in mid day sun. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. 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. I know I did the first 2 times I went here. AZ is one of the most biodiverse states in the US! Busy area even on Wednesday. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. It also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating. _width: 930px; The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. right: 360px; During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! 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. The last portion of the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. I love Catalina State Park! 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. margin-right: -360px; invasive plants), is a dangerous cycle. When we took this hike, it was after a few days of healthy rains, so the wash crossing was more interesting than usual. There is just a trickle. Brown Mountain 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. 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. 945 Sq Ft. 816 S Langley Ave Unit 204, Tucson, AZ 85710. Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. Don't worry about how busy it seems - most of the people you see are probably only going as far as the dam or picnic areas. padding-left: 0; Catalina state park is very popular. We ran out of water on a hot day, so make sure to bring lots. Find TrailDEX Filter . Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. Other than that it was a great hike. width: 360px; . Every view is amazing on this trail, and for any hiker, local or visiting, this should be on your bucketlist. People frequently have to get rescued from this canyon. There are few hikes in the country with this level of biodiversity that also offer a glimpse of the pernicious and hidden Sonoran landscape. Cheers! I love finding water in these remote areas. Romero Pools Here is the track recorded by my Garmin GPS-III: Trail is initially sandy and flat Looking to the left, seems quite verdant for southern Arizona Climbing a little, looking back down towards the entrance Trail gets a bit rocky towards the top of the first ridge Higher still, peeking back through a gap Looking up towards the second ridge Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at therefreshing oasisof pools and cascades that await, less than 3-milesin. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. Beautiful, but rocky trail, lots of water at the pools. 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. As an added bonus, the Pools themselves are a unique sight in the desert. I wish Id know about the Romero Pools Trail back then! You then drive to the trailhead parking lot. From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible. They are fully grown at 200, reaching a height of 45 with roots growing more than 60 around in all directions. This means that there were many areas of open space between plants. For the non-geologists reading Gneiss ( /nas/) is a common distributed type of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from pre-existing formations that were originally either igneous or sedimentary rock. 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. Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. First 1.1 miles is easy walking, smooth well-traveled trail to the Montrose pools. adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; But otherwise great trail! Before you go, please check outthe latest CDC recommendations for travelers. But one of the trails that I did explore (and have since revisited) is 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. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! At a Glance General Information Directions: Drive 18 miles north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89) to Catalina State Park. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). 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. --> Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. Gave 5 stars based on memory of post rain or snowmelt falls. 3.3 mi Distance 1 hrs 59 min Time terrain 187 ft Elev Gain Overview This is a easy loop trail in 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. Wearing hiking shoes. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. 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. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. April 2018 is a dry year. An experienced Tucson hiker would dance along these crags, trying to maintain their gait and avoid touching the menacing foliage around themselves. Fire rules are meant to help prevent fires, so please respect them. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. min-width: 0; Some water and a water crossing at the beginning. This is challenging hike. It can be very breezy and cold at times. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee of $7/vehicle. Crossed it by taking off our shoes (not waterproof). Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. Great hike to Romero Pools today. 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). Your email address will not be published. Lemmon. ML Marshall Gulch Loop 16.ML Meadow Trail 17. The trail is lined with p At the main parking lot of Sabino Canyon, there are a few different trams you can take to nearby trailheads. Most people stop too soon. The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. . SC Blackett's Ridge Trail 19. At this point, the trail narrows and begins its ascent up the ridge. 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. Wasson Peak. Petrified Forest National Part and North Eastern AZ, Granite Mountain (McDowell Sonoran Preserve), Box Canyon (Christopher Creek- *Technical), San Tan Regional Park - San Tan trail loops, Petrified Forest National Park and North Eastern AZ. Thanks to his dad and the Boy Scouts, he was able to spend a lot of time hiking at an early age. .main-inner .column-left-outer { We also put in points of interest to get you around Catalina State Park. } 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! Continue for 13 miles then turn right atCatalina State Park. It really is! Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. It has a slippery chute worn into the sandstone. 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. CF Ventana Canyon 12. Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. Most people stop as soon as they get to the water. It was highly resilient and cattle seemed to prefer it as forage. width: 0; Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. Even though it had rained pretty heavily a few days before we got there, the Romero Pools were pretty low. star rate star rate star rate star rate star rate (0). The trail heads down one boulder strewn slope and up another before beginning its final descent to Romero Pools. No matter what your level of physical fitness is, you are sure to break a sweat on this climb. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. If you are in Tucson, take the 77 north to the state park. Romero Pools sits at about 4000, which is just the start of the pinon oak forest. Well maintained trail. As expected, the return trip was much easier and much faster. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. To enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. 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. The pools were great! You'll peak out after climbing 1000 feet. Saguaros are about 70 years old when they reach the height of a tall man and start blooming. I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. And then eventually, eventually, youll hear running water. We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. Daylight and weather are also key- do not hike during monsoons and avoid hiking this trail at night. min-width: 930px; The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, hat/glasses as there is very little shade on this moderately strenuous trail. Help hold major polluting companies accountable for their impacts so that they will innovate on solutions. Great hike. 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. So kick-off your shoes. After 0.3 miles, Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77. To request permission for use email us at lisa@azutopia.com. Want to hike Tucsons best trails? Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. The first plant we noticed was the famous Saguaro cactus. Let them know when you are leaving, when you expect to get home, and that you will check in when you are done. This part might be a little difficult for beginners, but still worth it once you get to the pools. Here exposed points of bedrock (Gneiss) poke through the alluvium. 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. We had to ford the stream at the start of the hike. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. They need the saguaros just like the saguaro needs them to distribute their fruit. We had lunch at some pools and had spectacular views along the way. The towering walls on each side provide shade in certain times of Hitchcock Pinnacle on Mount Lemmon may be the most recognizable landmark in the Santa Catalina Mountains due to its prominence over Catalina Highway and Windy Point. And more people using the land, especially people who arent responsible, increase incidences of human-caused fire. Visitors entering on foot or bicycle are $3. 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. If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. Grub: none of that M&M-filled stuff. Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers width: 800px; Catalina State Park Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools --> It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. In fact, at the time that buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in those days, it was considered a wonder plant. Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. Creek crossing in 1st 50 yards. This is after about an hour long drive up a 25 mile paved, winding road. Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. width: 360px; Everyone needs to be aware of this huge impact, how to help mitigation the impacts of these natural disasters, and what it means for us here on the West Coast. Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. adventures and follow local regulations. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Stay right here. The water was deep enough to cut off the trail right at the start. .main-inner .column-right-outer { 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. 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ. Beautiful views, though very busy. Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. The golden hue comes from the roots of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the stream. (LogOut/ Bring lots of water and be careful on the rocks in the pools, as they are quite slippery! jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. Department of Medical Imaging 1501 N. Campbell | P.O. // sah-wah-roh). I enjoyed it and am glad I made it to the pools. Bear Mountain, Sedona. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. It is not a dangerous flow. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. The exposed geology makes Tucson trekking timeless. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. There are lots of spots to sit and watch the more adventurous flip and jump into the water. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. #layout { This isnt an easy trail. This means at the very start (and end) you will have to wade through about 30 yards of water. It also takes the perfect combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout in the first place. One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. 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. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-center-outer { Read my Best Hikes in Tucson article or check out our individual Tucson Hiking Guides. padding-right: 360px; Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. What we have on our hands, with buffelgrass and other exotic plant species that are spreading rapidly and hurting our native species (e.g. After a while, I realized that I just liked watching the diversity of life and land. Up from the wash is an alluvial plain of slowly shifting soil eroding from the mountains above. Back when I was in undergrad, I thoroughly messed up, and didnt enjoy the AMAZING hiking opportunities that abound in the Tucson area. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. 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. 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). You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. 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. Beautiful canyon. Drive0.71miles on Oracle Road to the entrance toCatalina State Park. Looks so gorgeous! HAZ uses cookies . The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. You might as well explore a little. left: 0; min-width: 930px; Beautiful weather and the water was running. Catalina State Park: Return visit after many yeard - See 809 traveler reviews, 543 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. The hiking trail is an easy one and is quite scenic complete with pretty yellow wildflowers. In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. CF Linda Vista Loop 8. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. min-width: 0; Always a gorgeous hike! Up and up you will travel, until you find the trail arching down into one of those narrow, mountain valleys. The Nala shoes are great for cold, wet weather but also perform well on the trail. The trail starts flat the first mile and then has steep incline. Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. This is a challenging day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis. Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone.