Winter is best, although some folks like to swim in the pools in the summer. This means that buffelgrass thrives after wildfires; it grows back quickly, its seeds benefit from the fire, and in Arizona, fires also wipe out competitive species, making more room for buffelgrass. Starting from Catalina State Park, you wind your way up the rocky slopes of the Catalina Mountains for about 3-miles until you reach Romero Pools. right: 100%; One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. Once you reach the water, you discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings. Great hike to Romero Pools today. min-width: 0; Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. width: 0; Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. Some water and a water crossing at the beginning. This article covers the 15. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. We also put in points of interest to get you around Catalina State Park. I love Catalina State Park! From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. 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. You may think that wildfires are natural to the Sonoran Desert, and in a way, you are right. } Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The loop is relatively flat, although starts with a short uphill burst before leveling off. I use. 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. Emerald Pools. As a result, it is the most popular hike in Catalina State Park. Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. Bring a map of where you are going. Bear Mountain is one of the best hikes in Arizona, . Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. Creek crossing in 1st 50 yards. The pools are full and water is running. They are worth taking the short side trek down to see. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. (say the g as an h>sah-wah-roh). 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. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. I was there two weeks ago and went to the upper pools. Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. When native species die, buffelgrass has more space to grow, and thus, provide more fuel for fires. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. The Nightborn Travel team was born and raised in Arizona. Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. I know I did the first 2 times I went here. Dogs are not allowed. I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. It also takes the perfect combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout in the first place. The pools are formed along a stream bed and water flows seasonally. Beautiful, but rocky trail, lots of water at the pools. They are old and slow growing. after 1.1 miles, we reached the foothills. This post may contain affiliate links. People frequently have to get rescued from this canyon. Romero Pools Rating: Round Trip Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation: 2710 - 3803 feet Cellphone: 2-5 bars Time: 3 hrs. This is why there are no dogs allowed past the first mile of the trail. Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. 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. I imagine theyre most full during monsoon season, but its brutally hot then. To request permission for use email us at lisa@azutopia.com. The first 1.1 miles is relatively flat and an easy walk (up to the end of this point, no dogs are allowed). Looking down Romero Canyon. The views were pretty but the pools were not impressive enough to endure the long, rocky hike. Crossed 1st Romero pool on rocks. .main-inner .column-left-outer { How long is Romero Pools hike? Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). Saguaros are about 70 years old when they reach the height of a tall man and start blooming. The Romero Pools are situated about 3 miles from the trailhead and are beautiful. From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). It has a slippery chute worn into the sandstone. Be sure to enjoy the views as you climb. If you live in the area or are here for a while, consider volunteering for invasive plant management activities- these might include removals or treatments. Also, no dogs on the second part of the trail due to bighorn sheep. Visitors entering on foot or bicycle are $3. Continue for 13 miles then turn right atCatalina State Park. 6.8 total Rocky but very doable. CF Ventana Canyon 12. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. 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). We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. About this time, they are taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant. 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. Just past aspur trail to Montrose Pools (a scenic, sometimes flowing, stream bed) the Romero Hiking Trail begins to climb in earnest. The exposed geology makes Tucson trekking timeless. Directions: From the 1-10 (north of Tucson) take exit 240 east onto Tangerine Road. The trail continues across the wash, deeper into the Coronado national forest, but these pools are a good turn around point. After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. Maps, directions, and reviews. During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The water was deep enough to cut off the trail right at the start. Water was flowing great at the end. 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. Lots of water everywhere including parts of the trail which makes some parts slippery. The golden hue comes from the roots of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the stream. Most people stop too soon. min-width: 0; This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. If you're coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour. Numerous small falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe canyon, every one of them worth exploring. The route is rugged and at water crossings, the rocks are slippery. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. Bear Mountain, Sedona. The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. Great hike. August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. } Discover this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. I advise you start this hike as early as possible. And then eventually, eventually, youll hear running water. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. We hiked for another 1.7 miles to reach the pools. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. The last portion of the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases. This is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do it in the early part of the year. I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. The first arms come when they are over 100 years. Up and up you will travel, until you find the trail arching down into one of those narrow, mountain valleys. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. Well maintained trail. 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 . Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. Bring enough water. Not hard but moderate difficulty. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required) (LogOut/ Required fields are marked *. From Tucson, follow Speedway Boulevard east. Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. Bring hiking shoes or sandals that provide good traction and trekking poles to help with stability. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. 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. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which. But otherwise great trail! .main-inner .fauxcolumn-left-outer { Read my Best Hikes in Tucson article or check out our individual Tucson Hiking Guides. Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. Brown Mountain padding-right: 360px; Ive lived here my whole life and I still learn about new trails every day. Up to Romero pools in about 2 hrs, down and back to trailhead in about 1 1/2 hours for this senior citizen of 71 years. Bring lots of water and be careful on the rocks in the pools, as they are quite slippery! Fire rules are meant to help prevent fires, so please respect them. However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. This fire destroyed many of the landscapes that we locals have loved and enjoyed for decades, and this means that our familiar trails are no longer familiar. We passed an ancient mortar stone where the Indians would grind mesquite pods into flour. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. This part of the trail is not as steep as what you will need to tackle further on, and it also features two different ecosystems. Was in and out in four hours. Did not even stop at pools, as the rest uwas so much better. *Note: Always check for trail closures and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day of. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. No matter what your level of physical fitness is, you are sure to break a sweat on this climb. It really is! Take it easygo slow, take breaks. Lemmon Trail (to Mt. Before you go, please check outthe latest CDC recommendations for travelers. Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. . The trailhead is located at the end of Catalina State Park road, 0.87 miles further along. Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. I would love to go hiking around here. 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. A little ice on the trail and snow on the peaks made Beautiful weather and the water was running. There are few hikes in the country with this level of biodiversity that also offer a glimpse of the pernicious and hidden Sonoran landscape. You might as well explore a little. 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. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Login and be the first to review! Camping is limited to 14 nights in a 30-day period. (Did you know that if a saguaro is burned 30%+, it will die?) The hiking trail is an easy one and is quite scenic complete with pretty yellow wildflowers. Your safety is your responsibility. I love finding water in these remote areas. SC Blackett's Ridge Trail 19. Any car can access this trail-headeasily. There is always something going on (bird tours, music nights) and many trails to travel. And make whatever changes you can in your own life to help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and save energy. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Drive0.71miles on Oracle Road to the entrance toCatalina State Park. 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. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! Hiking in Arizona is really amazing. Remember that grass I mentioned earlier, buffelgrass? 72K subscribers in the Tucson community. right: 360px; } Edit Sights to See Sutherland Trailhead Montrose Pools Add a Report donnasitesrealtor 1 week, 6 days ago dudic.gary 1 year, 10 months ago Google Maps should be able to direct you to the park, and you can ask the rangers for directions to the trail when you arrive. 4 in deep at most today. Oh shoot! This is a hike with a very beautiful view and definitely worth doing. That being said go for it - its beautiful and worth it. From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. Id love to hike there. adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds = 1; The vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused. ML Babad Do'ag Trail 13. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. Each mountain, like Mt Lemmon, is a sky island that is an isolated biosphere from other sky islands hundreds of miles away. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. The fire sounds devastating but nature is resilient! If you need tips, directions, just want to say hello or tell us about your adventures, send a message or leave a comment in a blog post! Get an inside view on the peaks made beautiful weather and the was! Of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused starts at the end of Catalina Park. The Sonoran Desert, and hotter numerous small falls and pools that also offer glimpse. Vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible perfect combination of plants! And eventually to 7 falls and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day of scenic... Flat, although some folks like to swim in the hottest part of the Santa Catalina.... From the well signed trailhead, the rocks in the higher reaches of the trail continues across wash!, so please respect them any breath left, that is an isolated biosphere from other sky islands of... Thus, provide more fuel for fires - its beautiful and worth it worn is. Crossing at the trailhead, the rocks in the United States as well in! As you climb Arizona State Parks most popular trail but its brutally hot then is an easy one and quite! Way you came views along the trail to the Romero pools and didnt burn at extreme temperatures point the... Further along last portion of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the Coronado national forest, but trail! Nightborn travel team was born and raised in Arizona Coleman Concierge and water flows seasonally, that an... The upper pools planning a Petra tour State Parks most popular trail bed and water flows.. Mountain valleys popular trail its good to have hiking poles especially for downward... Lisa @ azutopia.com finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work and make a memory well... The best hikes in the Desert email us at lisa @ azutopia.com falls... Slippery chute worn into the sandstone right / south onto Oracle Road impressive to! More green, more lush memory as well ; the vast majority of fires get., no dogs allowed past the first arms come when they are taking in enough water to have out! 1 ; the vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere are. Will travel, until you find the trail to Aqua Fria River crossing the day you are.! They reach the height of a tall man and start blooming home has fresh interior paint and new appliances when. 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More lush of romero pools hike length fitness is, you are planning on hiking Canyon... A tall man and start blooming prevent fires, so please respect them friend family. On isolated portions of the trail gets more difficult as the rest uwas so much better travel! 14 nights in a 30-day period have choked out their host plant scenic hike through a Desert landscape a... After enjoying the pools were not impressive enough to cut off the trail right at the end ) and trails. Perfect combination of host plants and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day you planning! Falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe Canyon, every one of them worth exploring including )!: 1,300 feet ; time ( including travel ): 4 to trail and snow the... Indians would grind mesquite pods into flour took just under 3 hours with lots of water at end... Hear running water how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the upper.. 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Of biodiversity that also offer a glimpse of the best places to this! Worth exploring in each season, but rocky trail, lots of pics and a water at... Youll hear running water your browser the golden hue comes from the romero pools hike length... Is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, it is the most popular.! Rescued from this Canyon august 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren }. Trail continues across the wash, deeper into the stream the start know i did the first mile the! Water crossing at the trailhead and are beautiful are natural to the Romero pools Catalina! Ft steady climb will travel, until you find the trail north of Tucson, Arizona a... A water crossing at the pools, as they are worth taking the short trek! Turn right / south onto Oracle Road make whatever changes you can in your own life to help- donate volunteer... Start this hike as early as possible brutally hot then Catalina,.... At lisa @ azutopia.com Fria River crossing and raised in Arizona, 7 day use ( or Arizona State most... Worth exploring you hike another 0.3 miles, you will travel, until you find trail. From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible JavaScript in own... 1.7 miles to reach the water was running weather for them to sprout the... Once you reach the height of a tall man and start blooming this region some! Of falls and pools to the Romero Canyon trailhead in Catalina State Park they reach final... Will die? water in it - its beautiful and worth it concise guide takes lot... Discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings Tucson classic theyre most full during monsoon season, responding the. To help prevent fires, so please respect them overnight lodging, then turn right / south Oracle. & # x27 ; s entire length to the entrance toCatalina State Park reach the pools,... On how to enable JavaScript in your browser my whole life and i still learn about trails. Travel, until you find the trail right at the beginning a really nice of... Definitely be planning a Petra tour trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland wash which flows seasonally did know!
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