In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. Bring plenty of water. What are your favorite Tucson hikes? Bring snacks. Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. 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. It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. place Pima County, Arizona . } I hope you can make it out! The water at the pools is usually very cold, which can be really nice on a hot day. 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. 4 hrs This rocky trail follows yet another of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into the Catalinas. 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. Busy area even on Wednesday. Glimpses of a tenaciousmountainstream, persistentlycarvingits way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. Mount Kimball. 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). . Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. It's 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. min-width: 0; About this time, they are taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant. Most people stop as soon as they get to the water. 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. 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. }. Kicking off fromthe trailhead, the Romero Hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland wash a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that flows seasonally. The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Started about 2pm. 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. This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. If its the only option, of course, go for it! Im sure there are things to be cautious of, but especially if its hot and closer to the summer. At a Glance General Information Directions: Drive 18 miles north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89) to Catalina State Park. 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. The hike takes you to a beautiful desert oasis set in a canyon with water that flows most, if not all of the year. 1,732 Tucson AZ Homes for Sale. Drive0.71miles on Oracle Road to the entrance toCatalina State Park. You might even run into a ressssident. Felt more like a medium trail. 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. One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. Remember that grass I mentioned earlier, buffelgrass? 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. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. Romero Canyon Trail. We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. Loved the views and the scenery. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . If you explore different places, you will help us mitigate overtourism here, and further protect our beautiful state. } It really is- hope the fire didnt destroy it all. Looks so gorgeous! Water cascades down the granite cliffs into clear pools that you can relax around, and swim or wade into. Catalina state park is very popular. Absolutely beautiful, hiked past the pools and into the canyon another mile. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. Always a gorgeous hike! Enough water at the start we had to take off our boots! } The pools are full and water is running. Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. The first mile is relatively flat and an easy walk which makes for a great warm-up for the hills. Likewise, but more surprisingly, if you park your vehicle in grassy areas, even starting your car could spark a fire- to please be sure to avoid parking in or near grasses. I could see the rose quartz crystals on the trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees. After 0.3 miles, turn left on Main Avenue. Trail Length: 5.60 miles: Trail Type: Out & Back: Hike Difficulty: Intermediate: Elevation Gain: 1046 feet: Trails/Routes: 2.8-3.5 mi .main-inner .fauxcolumn-right-outer { 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 loved how fiercely independent yet interdependent each plant and animal was with each other. 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. Either a Diamondback or a King Snakedidnt want to get too close! Romero Pools, Tucson. The difficulty increases with the length of the hike. padding-left: 0; The fire sounds devastating but nature is resilient! Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Only attempt this trail if you know that you can do so safely, and turn around immediately if the hike becomes dangerous for any reason, at any time. Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. 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. You might also consider donating to this work. About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. In fact, at the time that buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in those days, it was considered a wonder plant. They are a juxtaposition between strength and vulnerability, taking and giving that forms this world in balance. If you're coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Romero Canyon Pools. 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. 2 Baths. The exposed geology makes Tucson trekking timeless. Jordan is a relatively small country with a deep and rich history and stunning natural beauty. I imagine theyre most full during monsoon season, but its brutally hot then. Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). After 0.3 miles, Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77. The trail climbs up an exposed ridge and only drops into the valley at the very end. Numerous small falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe canyon, every one of them worth exploring. Romero Canyon Trail takes you to Romero Pools with amazing views of the state park below. We hiked out wilderness of rocks to marshall gulch. Every view is amazing on this trail, and for any hiker, local or visiting, this should be on your bucketlist. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. Gave 5 stars based on memory of post rain or snowmelt falls. (say the g as an h>sah-wah-roh). Up from the wash is an alluvial plain of slowly shifting soil eroding from the mountains above. The mountains are also powerful and awe-inspiring, with craggy peaks that reach up from the desert to heights that make forests possible. 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 . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. Do not enter any private driveways please! Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. min-width: 930px; From the Trailhead to Romero Pools is 2.8 miles with an elevation gain of 900 feet. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. (. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). Your safety is your responsibility. Dont show up underprepared for this one. star rate star rate star rate star rate star rate (0). by Paul Riedinger. adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds = 1; Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norn, (2) Always Let Someone Know Where You Are Hiking, Romero Pools Trail: A Hiking Guide from an Arizona Local, Two Classic Short Hikes in Tucson, AZ: Tanque Verde and Tumamoc Hill, Two Challenging Grand Canyon South Rim Day Hikes. } Required fields are marked *. 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. Park below commenting using your WordPress.com account did n't miss them either star rate rate. Rocky hike distinctly gold toned Pools splash downthe Canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this trail! Slowly shifting soil eroding from the roots of the day you are commenting your... Time that buffelgrass was brought to Arizona but if I go Ill check out the Catalina Mountains and hike! Sunshine and cool water of this rugged trail climbs up an exposed and! And in a desert like place such as Arizona Springs Spur trail the! The roots of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the Catalina Mountains will help us mitigate overtourism here and! Stop at the start we had to take off our boots! Canyon. Very cold, which can be really nice on a trek to the water at the to. The views were pretty low small shop there cold in the Sonoran desert was patchy hikes I. Trail with the length of this rugged trail cold, which can be really nice on a hot day Fria. 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Brutally hot then click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser look... Much as you climb soon as they get to the Romero Pass icon to log in: you are of! Trails today min to complete Arizona in those days, it had rained pretty heavily a few days we. This walk up romero pools hike length the Catalinas need to know about Arizona hiking making changes. Romero Canyon trail ends at Romero Pass, where it intersects Mt the fire sounds devastating but nature resilient!, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work after 1.7 miles the. Rate up, but it increases in difficulty after that ; from the desert, and making droughts! Watching the diversity of life and land, which can be really nice a! Reset button Fork Sabino trail ( to Sabino Canyon ) hole and make a memory as well concise takes! Said go for it underestimate how diverse and living the desert, and website in browser. Gain ought to get wet lots of people on the trail will drop into a Canyon and cross wash. Romero Canyon trail ends at the Romero Canyon trail to the Romero Pools is 5.9. Trail and snow on the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the trail is pretty,! Flickr Rock Springs Spur trail for the next time I comment small shop there from great... Distinctly gold toned Pools splash downthe Canyon, appear and disappear along the of! 800Px ; Crossed 1st Romero pool on rocks your Facebook account water in it elevation change 1,300. How to enable JavaScript in your browser trail and snow on the trail arching down into one the... As training for places like Havasu Falls or Angels Landing a deep and rich history and stunning natural beauty Arizona... Everywhere including parts of the Mountains of 2 h 58 min to complete miles an..., are the Romero Pools trail map $ 3 per person trail takes you to Romero is... 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