Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. The pools were just amazing and felt like a hidden paradise. 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. Below is our interactive Romero Pools trail map. Shape your expectations based on this, and please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. .main-inner .columns { I know I did the first 2 times I went here. 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. Water was flowing great at the end. .main-inner .column-right-outer { From Romero Pools cross Romero Pass at 6,080 feet before descending on the West Fork Trail #24 before turning south on Sabino Canyon Trail #23. Its anything but nice to walk on because its often rough and jagged. 91 votes, 17 comments. Dogs are not allowed. 1,732 Tucson AZ Homes for Sale. And of course, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts worse. margin-right: -360px; This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. (Did you know that if a saguaro is burned 30%+, it will die?) 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. Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . Felt more like a medium trail. They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. .main-inner .column-left-outer { They need their host plant when they are young, which they eventually kill as they grow. Sometimes these are mistakes or accidents that couldnt be helped, but other times, they are stupid mistakes or outright negligence. So kick-off your shoes. About this time, they are taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant. I love finding water in these remote areas. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. Other than that it was a great hike. 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. Help hold major polluting companies accountable for their impacts so that they will innovate on solutions. 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. 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. Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! (. The hike takes about 3 hours round trip and it is recommended to bring at least 1 quart of water per person. The park is conveniently located just 30 minutes of the big city of Tucson and just 5 minutes from the smaller city of Oro Valley. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. Creek crossing in 1st 50 yards. 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. It really is! right: 100%; 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). The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). The difficulty increases with the length of the hike. The enigma of Saguaros having thorns and housing birds at the same time made me respect the strength of and forgiveness of the powerful people in my life. Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. Its 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. . Id estimate 1.8 of those were pure elevation gains, baby. Park at the end of the road. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. I like the Sweet & Spicy Pecan mix from Trader Joes. August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. Even though it had rained pretty heavily a few days before we got there, the Romero Pools were pretty low. Hi! I visited a friend in Tucson, Arizona for about a month in 2005 and didnt get much hiking in, and Ive been kicking myself ever since. } Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. 72K subscribers in the Tucson community. Its in these washes where we have seen the black and yellow spotted gila monsters, the largest lizards of the desert. Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. As a result, so is this trail. Hiking info for Romero Pools via Romero Canyon, located in Catalina State Park, Arizona. We could have taken the Romero Trail all the way to the top of Mt Lemmon (it goes). No problem crossing the creek in hiking boots. *Note: Always check for trail closures and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day of. A handkerchief: use it to soak up sweat, pour some water over it and tie it around your neck to cool you down, tie it around an unfortunate injury as a bandagethe possibilities are endless. There will be a time to travel soon enough. Romero Canyon Trail. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. min-width: 0; Here they can send their tap roots down to harvest the water below. 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. Plenty of water in the pools. CF Finger Rock Trail 7. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. At this point, the trail narrows and begins its ascent up the ridge. To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. Camping is limited to 14 nights in a 30-day period. From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. You then drive to the trailhead parking lot. Lots of water everywhere including parts of the trail which makes some parts slippery. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. #layout .region-inner { Thanks for sharing your tips! However footing is key as youre climbing up quite a few rock formations. People underestimate how diverse and living the desert is. After passing through the desert, you will begin your true climb into the mountains. --> Bring a map of where you are going. This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. Fueled by breakfast burritos from El Gero Canelo, Rob and I headed out on a beautiful 70-degree morning for Catalina State Park. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Beautiful hike. Most people stop as soon as they get to the water. A must do hike if you are visiting. The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. 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. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Ive lived here my whole life and I still learn about new trails every day. 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. Beautiful, but rocky trail, lots of water at the pools. Great hike! Takes about 2 hours there and back. Enough water at the start we had to take off our boots! 4. Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. SunCloud Patrol Polarized Womens Sunglasses. This is why there are no dogs allowed past the first mile of the trail. Romero Pools. When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. It has a slippery chute worn into the sandstone. Never cut switchbacks as this causes major erosion that destroys the trail and the mountain. You will also find cliffs of . 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). The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. width: 360px; What are your favorite Tucson hikes? Stunning trail and the cool pools were a gift. Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Crossed it by taking off our shoes (not waterproof). There is an old (bad) joke about the trail condition in Tucson being very gneiss (pun intended). The views were pretty but the pools were not impressive enough to endure the long, rocky hike. SC Blackett's Ridge Trail 19. CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. Water cascades down the granite cliffs into clear pools that you can relax around, and swim or wade into. Romero Canyon Pools. place Pima County, Arizona . Quite rugged uphill but clear path. The exposed geology makes Tucson trekking timeless. 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. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. The subreddit for Tucson, Arizona; Tucson is a city in Arizona's Sonoran Desert Don't miss Hutch's Pools along West Fork Trail at 3.4 miles after Romero Pass. ML Marshall Gulch Loop 16.ML Meadow Trail 17. Take a dip. Is Tucson Mountain Park dog friendly? The trail climbs up an exposed ridge and only drops into the valley at the very end. Find TrailDEX Filter . The next 1.7 miles are a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. } Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The Pinnacle itself features several trad, sport, and top rope routes including a series of anchors and chains at the top. How long is Romero Pools hike? Thats why the water is there to jump in just in case. Catalina State Park: Return visit after many yeard - See 809 traveler reviews, 543 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. (LogOut/ (LogOut/ 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. CF Ventana Canyon 12. 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). This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. The trail now starts to gain elevation more aggressively and steadily for the remainder of the hike to the pools. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts.! Taking in enough water at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Parks most popular trail get cold the., that is Pusch ridge will take your breath awayif you have any left. Hrs 59 min Time terrain 187 ft Elev gain Overview this is a tried and true Tucson classic ridge! X27 ; re needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to.. And please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction least 1 quart of water per person it... 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