Romero Pools offers hikers the chance to cool off on a hot day with a refreshing swim in a gorgeous canyon. A little ice on the trail and snow on the peaks made The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. Don't expect much solitude here. After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. All content is for entertainment purposes only. I would love to go hiking around here. Keep your eyes peeled, as they sometimes show up alongside the trail. Required fields are marked *. Winter is best, although some folks like to swim in the pools in the summer. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. An observant hiker can see millions of years of geologic history in the rocks at their feet. We love hearing from our readers. ML Wilderness of Rock 18. You can hike the entire 7.6-mile out-and-back length, or turn around whenever you've had enough. 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. You might as well explore a little. 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). Emerald Pools. August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. (. Romero Canyon is in the heart of the Pusch Wilderness, where Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced and are protected. Length: Hike as much as you would like to. Romero Pools sits at about 4000, which is just the start of the pinon oak forest. 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. Romero Canyon Trail. Wasson Peak. Both should only be done with organizations that know how to safely carry out these activities. Although more challenging than the previous two hikes -- it's virtually all uphill -- the reward is sweet enough that you'll quickly forget about the difficulty. (LogOut/ Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. We had lunch at some pools and had spectacular views along the way. width: 0; Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. (LogOut/ 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. Making sure there were cold beers in our fridge to celebrate with when we got home. Dont show up underprepared for this one. Started about 2pm. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. Lemmon Trail (to Mt. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. Visitors entering on foot or bicycle are $3. In fact, at the time that buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in those days, it was considered a wonder plant. Continue your trek upwards, exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water. Same on the way back. When you pause, youll hear the rustling of wildlife among tall, dry grass; calls to each other with buzzes, tweets and chirps. 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, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland Wash, which flows seasonally. } CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. This is typical sonoran desert hiking as you'll see plenty of your favorite cacti. 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). I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. But otherwise great trail! I use. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. Takes about 2 hours there and back. Quick Facts And then eventually, eventually, youll hear running water. Back when I was in undergrad, I thoroughly messed up, and didnt enjoy the AMAZING hiking opportunities that abound in the Tucson area. Trail in great shape. CF Canyon Loop Trail 6. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Daylight and weather are also key- do not hike during monsoons and avoid hiking this trail at night. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. The mountains are also powerful and awe-inspiring, with craggy peaks that reach up from the desert to heights that make forests possible. To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. ML Marshall Gulch Loop 16.ML Meadow Trail 17. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. If you are camping, never leave your fire unattended, clear a safe area around your flames, and make sure that your fire is completely out before leaving camp. To stay on the Romero canyon trail, stay left here. Hike Length: 3.2 Miles roundtrip to the furthest pool; Trail Difficulty: 1st pool is easy | 2nd and 3rd pool are difficult Trailhead Location: At Zion Lodge (Stop 5) Lower Emerald Falls. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. Before you go, please check outthe latest CDC recommendations for travelers. 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. Sometimes these are mistakes or accidents that couldnt be helped, but other times, they are stupid mistakes or outright negligence. 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. If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. March 2015. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. Like blood flowing through a body, the water brings life, warmth, and nourishment to a variety of desert plants and animals. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. The hike takes about 3 hours round trip and it is recommended to bring at least 1 quart of water per person. Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. min-width: 0; Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. We hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places. Some water and a water crossing at the beginning. } Bear Mountain, Sedona. As an added bonus, the Pools themselves are a unique sight in the desert. Numerous small falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe canyon, every one of them worth exploring. Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. _width: 930px; Plan on two hours of walking one way from the Trailhead to the pools. The Romero Pools are situated about 3 miles from the trailhead and are beautiful. 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. Was in and out in four hours. Beautiful hike. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. 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. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. This isnt an easy trail. This moderate trail out of Catalina State Park will give you sweeping views of Oro Valley and cool pools you can dip your toes in at the end. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. --> From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. 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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