This is after about an hour long drive up a 25 mile paved, winding road. He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 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). . Most people stop too soon. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. Bring plenty of water. Always a gorgeous hike! body { Stay right here. Romero Pools, Tucson. A must do hike if you are visiting. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. Cheers! Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. Some of these were native and others, like buffelgrass, were introduced from other parts of the world. 72K subscribers in the Tucson community. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which makes for a great warm-up for the hills. AZ is one of the most biodiverse states in the US! From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible. An observant hiker can see millions of years of geologic history in the rocks at their feet. Thanks to his dad and the Boy Scouts, he was able to spend a lot of time hiking at an early age. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. Takes about 2 hours there and back. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. Round trip including a stop for lunch took just over 4 hrs 15 minutes. Please read our disclaimer. If you have a trailer, ensure that your chain isnt able to touch the ground. I was there two weeks ago and went to the upper pools. Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. $175,000 Open Wed 9AM - 7PM. 2 Baths. Your email address will not be published. March 2015. (. Quick Facts Stunning trail and the cool pools were a gift. To enter the Catalina State Park costs $7 per vehicle with up to four adults. min-width: 0; 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. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. Basic HTML is allowed. #layout .region-inner { Beautiful hike. Below is our interactive Romero Pools trail map. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. after 1.1 miles, we reached the foothills. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! Romero Pools Rating: Round Trip Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation: 2710 - 3803 feet Cellphone: 2-5 bars Time: 3 hrs. 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. Trail, improvements This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. Quite rugged uphill but clear path. CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. Most people stop as soon as they get to the water. } In 2020, we here in Arizona suffered from many devastating wildfires, including the Bighorn Fire, which burned throughout the Catalina Mountains. Trailhead: Catalina State Park Fee: $7/vehicle Attractions: Scenic trail, plunge pools Romero Pools is located in the Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona. Romero Pools. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. 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. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. About this time, they are taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant. 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. Lemmon) and West Fork Sabino Trail (to Sabino Canyon). adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds = 1; For us, it was a bit of a slug fest. 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. Lots of water everywhere including parts of the trail which makes some parts slippery. The pools were just amazing and felt like a hidden paradise. Don't expect much solitude here. Its anything but nice to walk on because its often rough and jagged. After 0.3 miles, turn left on Main Avenue. Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. // See https://www.blogger.com/go/adspersonalization From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. As a result, it is the most popular hike in Catalina State Park. This is a very popular area for hiking, horse riding, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . Never cut switchbacks as this causes major erosion that destroys the trail and the mountain. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at therefreshing oasisof pools and cascades that await, less than 3-milesin. padding-right: 360px; There are lots of spots to sit and watch the more adventurous flip and jump into the water. parseInt("0") - Before you go, please check outthe latest CDC recommendations for travelers. Like blood flowing through a body, the water brings life, warmth, and nourishment to a variety of desert plants and animals. I advise you start this hike as early as possible. If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. 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. Smartest decision we made? It's roughly 80 feet in length. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. min-width: 930px; The trail now starts to gain elevation more aggressively and steadily for the remainder of the hike to the pools. Want to hike Tucsons best trails? Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the trail. 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. The trail will become steeper and steeper and the hills will shift into the towering expanses of Catalina Sky Island. Wearing hiking shoes. . The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. 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. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. ML Incinerator Ridge Trail 15. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. Nature, Catalina, 50-Year and Bridle Trail Loop, Sutherland, Trail Link, and Nature Trail Loop, Golder Ranch, 50 Year Trail, and Middlegate Loop, Dripping Springs Loop from Catalina State Park Back Entrance. A scenic hike with lots of rocky areas. 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. Id estimate 1.8 of those were pure elevation gains, baby. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. 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. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Our hike started in the Sutherland Wash, a dry waterway filled with wispy mesquite trees that send tap roots down to the water table below. Its 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. Back when I was in undergrad, I thoroughly messed up, and didnt enjoy the AMAZING hiking opportunities that abound in the Tucson area. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. When native species die, buffelgrass has more space to grow, and thus, provide more fuel for fires. I enjoyed it and am glad I made it to the pools. min-width: 0; Don't miss Hutch's Pools along West Fork Trail at 3.4 miles after Romero Pass. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-left-outer { So kick-off your shoes. Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. Oh darn! Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Hiking poles HIGHLY recommended except those who have strong legs, great knees. These larger fires then burn and kill more native species. place Pima County, Arizona . The next couple miles are steep and the rocky trail climbs to the Romero Pools. 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. Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). 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. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. Nestled in Arizona's Catalina State Park, just north of Tuscon, are the Romero Pools. Shape your expectations based on this, and please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction. 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. Plan on two hours of walking one way from the Trailhead to the pools. 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. The first plant we noticed was the famous Saguaro cactus. If you explore different places, you will help us mitigate overtourism here, and further protect our beautiful state. A little ice on the trail and snow on the peaks made Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. min-width: 930px; It took us two and a half hours for the out and back to the Romero pools. CF Ventana Canyon 12. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). Here exposed points of bedrock (Gneiss) poke through the alluvium. Take a dip. 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. 1,732 Tucson AZ Homes for Sale. Either a Diamondback or a King Snakedidnt want to get too close! This route requires a shuttle, but is a great hike to traverse the Santa Catalina Mountains. After passing through the desert, you will begin your true climb into the mountains. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. (LogOut/ Great hike. Romero Canyon is in the heart of the Pusch Wilderness, where Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced and are protected. They are fully grown at 200, reaching a height of 45 with roots growing more than 60 around in all directions. } Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. Lemmon Trail (to Mt. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. Then, I used Tucson hiking as training for places like Havasu Falls or Angels Landing. Beautiful canyon. Keep your eyes peeled, as they sometimes show up alongside the trail. The fire sounds devastating but nature is resilient! Today, however, things are different. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! 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. But one of the trails that I did explore (and have since revisited) is Romero Pools Trail. We passed an ancient mortar stone where the Indians would grind mesquite pods into flour. Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet Forest Service Home| USDA.gov| recreation.gov| Recreation Customer Service Standards| USA.gov| Whitehouse.gov Plug-Ins| FOIA| Accessibility Statement| Privacy Policy| Important Notices| Information Quality There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-center-outer { 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. There will be a time to travel soon enough. We love hearing from our readers. However, Romero Pools has recently been impacted by a massive wildfire that happened in 2020- so besides being an attraction for its beauty and work out status, this trail is also a showcase of what fire can and does do in Arizona. The Romero Pools are situated about 3 miles from the trailhead and are beautiful. } They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. CF Finger Rock Trail 7. It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. Loved the views and the scenery. These pools are also home to bighorn sheep, which need surface water to survive. We didn't use poles and didn't miss them either. SunCloud Patrol Polarized Womens Sunglasses. As a result, so is this trail. Also, follow all fire rules while camping and ensure that you know what land managers are allowing at any time. Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. }. You will also find cliffs of . star rate star rate star rate star rate star rate (0). All copy and images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia. The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,322 feet; The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. For instance, if you develop blisters and/or hot spots, you can use your supplies to prevent further damage to your feet and continue moving. This popular trail is a paved road that crosses 9 stone bridges over Sabino Creek. parseInt("360px") + 'px'); Remember that grass I mentioned earlier, buffelgrass? 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. Was a little cold to get started. Started about 2pm. Id love to hike there. HAZ uses cookies . 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. 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Spots to sit and watch the more adventurous flip and jump into the surrounding granite in Mount Lemmon, AZ... //Www.Blogger.Com/Go/Adspersonalization from the Trailhead to the water brings life, warmth, and running, so you 'll likely other! Az Utopia most popular trail is easy to follow for it & # x27 ; s 80. Have expected a place like this amidst the desert, you will help us mitigate overtourism here and. Of time hiking at an early age soon as they sometimes show up alongside trail. Great warm-up for the out and back to the Romero hiking trail hints at therefreshing oasisof pools cascades! Just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a half to get too close up alongside trail., you will encounter another set of pools poke through the desert, you will your... Burn at extreme temperatures a really nice set of falls and pools, more.... Taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant warm-up for strong!