Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,322 feet; We had to ford the stream at the start of the hike. Crossed 1st Romero pool on rocks. 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). And it is here, that you will begin to see the pools for which this trail is named. The Romero Canyon Trail is moderate in difficulty and an out-and-back trail that's about 5.5 miles long. However, at the end, you'll see the gorgeous pools and have views of Mt. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. Hi! After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. I use. 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. (say the g as an h>sah-wah-roh). About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Great hike. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. Before you go, please check outthe latest CDC recommendations for travelers. 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 From the Trailhead to Romero Pass is 7.2 miles with an elevation gain of 3,300 feet, about a five-hour hike one way. First 1.1 miles is easy walking, smooth well-traveled trail to the Montrose pools. Both should only be done with organizations that know how to safely carry out these activities. Also, follow all fire rules while camping and ensure that you know what land managers are allowing at any time. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! This was a hard hike. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. Join a community with a zest for living life to its fullest. 72K subscribers in the Tucson community. There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. There was some water on the trails. Want to hike Tucsons best trails? 5mi 4h 30m Show 3 More Check-Ins Nearby Recommended Routes Canyon Loop via Horse Trail 3.1 mi 285' Up 286' Down Honeybee Canyon Short Loop 12.3 mi 456' Up 457' Down Catalina, AZ .main-inner .columns { There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. Take it easygo slow, take breaks. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. So kick-off your shoes. /* IE6 does not respect left and right together */ The hike starts at Romero Canyon Trailhead, where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide footpath. The route is rugged and at water crossings, the rocks are slippery. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. I loved how fiercely independent yet interdependent each plant and animal was with each other. CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! And of course, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts worse. Views were beautiful as you got farther into the mountains. The Romero Pools Trail is not appropriate for people that are not prepared via supplies and physical ability. Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. The trail will become steeper and steeper and the hills will shift into the towering expanses of Catalina Sky Island. Cheers! Romero Canyon Trail takes you to Romero Pools with amazing views of the state park below. The pools are full and water is running. 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. Join me now for this guide of the Romero Pools Trail- if you are visiting Tucson post-2020, this is a must-add for any hikers bucketlist. We had lunch at some pools and had spectacular views along the way. 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). Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Loved the views and the scenery. We could have taken the Romero Trail all the way to the top of Mt Lemmon (it goes). Im sure there are things to be cautious of, but especially if its hot and closer to the summer. The pools were just amazing and felt like a hidden paradise. All copy and images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia. Romero Pools. Take a dip. Was in and out in four hours. . Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. 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. This article covers the 15. _width: 930px; We ran out of water on a hot day, so make sure to bring lots. The first arms come when they are over 100 years. 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. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. Thats why the water is there to jump in just in case. 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. 4 in deep at most today. I lived in AZ for over 20 years but didnt get down to the Tucson area much. Your safety is your responsibility. jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. The Romero Pools section is an extremely popular portion of this scenic trail, but there's so much more after the pools! Busy area even on Wednesday. They need the saguaros just like the saguaro needs them to distribute their fruit. Hike Description: This hike is an out and back up Romero Canyon Trail to some picturesque pools in the Catalina Mountains. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. Total Distance: 2.8 Miles To Romero Pools If you're into waterfalls, the Romero Pools hike is a must-do. 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. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . 91 votes, 17 comments. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). Catalina State Park: Return visit after many yeard - See 809 traveler reviews, 543 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. The last portion of the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases. 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. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. We hiked for another 1.7 miles to reach the pools. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at the refreshing oasis of pools and cascades that await, less than 3-miles in. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Beautiful, but rocky trail, lots of water at the pools. Park at the end of the road. The views were pretty but the pools were not impressive enough to endure the long, rocky hike. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. 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. This is challenging hike. Any car can access this trail-headeasily. ML Marshall Gulch Loop 16.ML Meadow Trail 17. The desert isnt for the meek. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Hike to a seasonal collection of beautiful pools and waterfalls. Bring a map of where you are going. 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. This is a challenging day hiking up into the Catalina Mountains to a beautiful oasis. 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