// See https://www.blogger.com/go/adspersonalization Even though it had rained pretty heavily a few days before we got there, the Romero Pools were pretty low. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). The water at the pools is usually very cold, which can be really nice on a hot day. 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 nature there is beautiful! Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . This is a 5.9 mile out-and-back hike with 1300 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete. 72K subscribers in the Tucson community. Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. Hiking poles HIGHLY recommended except those who have strong legs, great knees. From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. 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. Its been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means weve been long overdue for another hike there. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. This isnt an easy trail. "All county trails and parks that allow dogs require dogs to be on a leash at all times. Thanks for sharing your tips! And more people using the land, especially people who arent responsible, increase incidences of human-caused fire. Another Tucson-area hike, Romero Pools is a 5.5-mile adventure through Catalina State Park. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which makes for a great warm-up for the hills. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. Well maintained, well marked trail! jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. Length: Hike as much as you would like to. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. Take it easygo slow, take breaks. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app Trail then starts to climb and get more challenging. The first part of the trail is pretty easy, but it increases in difficulty after that. Kicking off fromthe trailhead, the Romero Hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland wash a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that flows seasonally. Bring enough water. Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. } . CF Canyon Loop Trail 6. Once we realize that we are only an observer, we could see the true beauty and diversity of life here. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! The trail continues across the wash, deeper into the Coronado national forest, but these pools are a good turn around point. Only saw a few people on the way up. Views of the mountains during the hike is exceptional. 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. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. Department of Medical Imaging 1501 N. Campbell | P.O. Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. This popular trail is a paved road that crosses 9 stone bridges over Sabino Creek. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. Your email address will not be published. At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or width: 800px; 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. In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. The trail now starts to gain elevation more aggressively and steadily for the remainder of the hike to the pools. We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. Hike Description: This hike is an out and back up Romero Canyon Trail to some picturesque pools in the Catalina Mountains. Creek crossing in 1st 50 yards. Dont show up underprepared for this one. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. This is typical sonoran desert hiking as you'll see plenty of your favorite cacti. The vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused. 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. But there is so much to see in AZ. 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. Romero Pools, Tucson. ML Butterfly Trail 14. However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. It's true it's hard but it's a beautiful challenge. Fueled by breakfast burritos from El Gero Canelo, Rob and I headed out on a beautiful 70-degree morning for Catalina State Park. I hope you can make it out! The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. The first 1.1 miles is relatively flat and an easy walk (up to the end of this point, no dogs are allowed). Busy area even on Wednesday. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; The next 1.7 miles are a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. The golden hue comes from the roots of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the stream. Wearing hiking shoes. Generator hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Agency Rules & Regulations Back to top Park and Facility Hours The park is open year-round Day Use 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily Visitor Center/Park Store 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily Thanksgiving: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back. We passed an ancient mortar stone where the Indians would grind mesquite pods into flour. Want to hike Tucsons best trails? . The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. Copyright 2019 American Expeditioners | All Rights Reserved | Photo Usage | Sitemap, 5 Free Scenic Attractions Along the Columbia River, A Day Trip Guide to Visiting Lundy Island, Driving in Great Britain: Road Trip Tips From an American Perspective, Revolutionary War Weekend, A Reenactment at George Washingtons Mount Vernon, Offroad Through Bajada Loop Drive in Saguaro National Park West, 10 Ghost Towns In Arizona That Are Actually Worth Visiting, The Ultimate Washington State Bucket List: 201 Historical & Outdoorsy Things To Do. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. What are your favorite Tucson hikes? Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. 945 Sq Ft. 816 S Langley Ave Unit 204, Tucson, AZ 85710. Romero Pools sits at about 4000, which is just the start of the pinon oak forest. 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. Vistas, waterfalls, lots of varied terrain. It can be very breezy and cold at times. Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. Always a gorgeous hike! Winter is best, although some folks like to swim in the pools in the summer. In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. There will be a time to travel soon enough. Today, however, things are different. When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. I know I did the first 2 times I went here. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee of $7/vehicle. Never cut switchbacks as this causes major erosion that destroys the trail and the mountain. *Note: Always check for trail closures and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day of. 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. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. .main-inner .column-left-outer { Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr Lemmon) and West Fork Sabino Trail (to Sabino Canyon). Keep your eyes peeled, as they sometimes show up alongside the trail. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. I would have given 4.5 stars. Make sure to check in when you return to your car! 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). Great mountain views and high desert fl ora characterize the hike, and wildlife ranging from skunks to See more on Trails Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. 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. The trail then slowly climbs up-canyon 4.4 miles to Romero Pass at 6,000 feet elevation. adventures and follow local regulations. August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel. Trail, improvements From Tucson, follow Speedway Boulevard east. Either a Diamondback or a King Snakedidnt want to get too close! 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