In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. I would love to go hiking around here. And chill for awhile. Total Distance: 2.8 Miles To Romero Pools If you're into waterfalls, the Romero Pools hike is a must-do. Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. Rugged Ocotillo, with their branches covered in thorns, claim the sun and the rocks while the majestic Saguaros dominate the north and east slopes that provide just a little relief from the blazing sun. Plenty of water in the pools. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-left-outer { Lemmon Trail (to Mt. Trail, improvements 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ. They are old and slow growing. Nice refreshing hike when theres water. This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. Same on the way back. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. I did spot a Gila Monster, which was the highlight of my day. I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. 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). .main-inner .column-left-outer { That being said go for it - its beautiful and worth it. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. 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. Journey was great not necessarily the destination. A must do hike if you are visiting. . 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 The Pinnacle itself features several trad, sport, and top rope routes including a series of anchors and chains at the top. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Hard 4.6 (2919) Catalina State Park Photos (3,289) Directions Print/PDF map Length 8.9 kmElevation gain 403 mRoute type Out & Back Explore this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. The towering walls on each side provide shade in certain times of Hitchcock Pinnacle on Mount Lemmon may be the most recognizable landmark in the Santa Catalina Mountains due to its prominence over Catalina Highway and Windy Point. . Want to hike Tucsons best trails? From the trailhead, you almost immediately crosse Sutherland Wash, which flows seasonally. I wondered as I wandered off of the Romero Pools trail just what it was about the Sonoran Desert that ignited my hiking spirit twenty years earlier. 4 hrs This rocky trail follows yet another of the many gorgeous canyons climbing into the Catalinas. Below, Ive listed the five things I always keep in my Camelback (other than water, duh). Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. The difficulty increases with the length of the hike. CF Pima Canyon Trail 9. padding-left: 0; I knew there was some serious fault activity in this region at some point in the past. 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. All photos and maps may be freely used for non-commercial purposes when accompanied with a caption giving credit to gjhikes.com. I lived in AZ for over 20 years but didnt get down to the Tucson area much. . Lots of rocks to deal with. Lost trail there. This is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do it in the early part of the year. 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. Views of the mountains during the hike is exceptional. 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. While the land will heal to some extent, please know that this process will take many many years. If you hike another 0.3 miles, you will encounter another set of pools. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. Every view is amazing on this trail, and for any hiker, local or visiting, this should be on your bucketlist. Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. The pools were just amazing and felt like a hidden paradise. Lemmon) and West Fork Sabino Trail (to Sabino Canyon). 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. } If you are coming from Phoenix, you can take the I-10 down into the city and then head east to the 77, or the 79 south to the 77. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. Just like becoming one with the heat, we became one with the desert landscape. Continue your trek upwards, exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water. 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). Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. Most people stop too soon. Even though Mt Lemmon is 100 miles away, they have their own flavors of squirrels living at Summerhaven. A hike in from Merrill Canyon to Romero pools in Catalina State Park. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at the refreshing oasis of pools and cascades that await, less than 3-miles in. } Discover this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. I wish Id know about the Romero Pools Trail back then! ML Wilderness of Rock 18. Once at the trailhead, signs will lead you into Bear Canyon and eventually to 7 Falls. Its anything but nice to walk on because its often rough and jagged. Making the final descent, acascade of small waterfalls and shallow poolsbegin to spread out below the trail, while the high peaks ofthe Santa Catalinas peerdown from above. adventures and follow local regulations. Mount Kimball. Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at therefreshing oasisof pools and cascades that await, less than 3-milesin. Shape your expectations based on this, and please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction. This means that there were many areas of open space between plants. Romero Canyon Trail. (LogOut/ Dragging chains spark and in the dry conditions of Arizona, this can easily spark a fire. Required fields are marked *. (LogOut/ The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. It's roughly 80 feet in length. These giants are the old growth forest of the American Southwest. During our hike, it had a ton of water in it! Wearing hiking shoes. As a result, it is the most popular hike in Catalina State Park. Romero Canyon Trail ends at Romero Pass, where it intersects Mt. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. Started about 2pm. This section of the hike gains a little elevation, but is mostly flat for about 0.6 miles until you reach the next signed trail junction (JCT_1R on the map) with the Canyon Loop trail. If you're coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour. min-width: 0; Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. .main-inner .columns { Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr } Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. ML Incinerator Ridge Trail 15. Romero Pools. Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . There will be a time to travel soon enough. We would be hiking through more climate zones than if we drove from Mexico to Canada. Up from the wash is an alluvial plain of slowly shifting soil eroding from the mountains above. There is always something going on (bird tours, music nights) and many trails to travel. (. adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; 2 Beds. Back when I was in undergrad, I thoroughly messed up, and didnt enjoy the AMAZING hiking opportunities that abound in the Tucson area. All copy and images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia. CF Canyon Loop Trail 6. CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. From anywhere south of Tucson, head into town and then jump on the 77 north. Busy area even on Wednesday. Our much older blog posts can still be found here. When we took this hike, it was after a few days of healthy rains, so the wash crossing was more interesting than usual. This is challenging hike. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are a travel couple dedicated to choosing a life full of fun and finding adventures worth sharing. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. 72K subscribers in the Tucson community. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. We love hearing from our readers. Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. SC Blackett's Ridge Trail 19. Bring plenty of water. I like the Sweet & Spicy Pecan mix from Trader Joes. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-center-outer { Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. You can download the trail layer to your GPS, or navigate right off your phone. Kicking off fromthe trailhead, the Romero Hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland wash a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that flows seasonally. 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. So kick-off your shoes. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. We took our boots off and waded across the steadily flowing wash. Once on the other side of the wash, you'll reach a trailhead junction. Hiking through a desert must be so interesting. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. Stunning trail and the cool pools were a gift. } Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. The desert isnt for the meek. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. width: 0; right: 100%; Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. 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. // See https://www.blogger.com/go/adspersonalization Notify me of follow-up comments by email. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. Romero Pools offers hikers the chance to cool off on a hot day with a refreshing swim in a gorgeous canyon. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. Do not enter any private driveways please! This is a hike with a very beautiful view and definitely worth doing. There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. Bring snacks. Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . Check out this stunner! 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. When you reach the final pool, turn around and go back the way you came. (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required) From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. I was there two weeks ago and went to the upper pools. Beautiful canyon. CF Ventana Canyon 12. The hike takes about 3 hours round trip and it is recommended to bring at least 1 quart of water per person. However footing is key as youre climbing up quite a few rock formations. During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Once you reach the first junction, bear right to stay on course for the pools. Beautiful weather and the water was running. However, at the end, you'll see the gorgeous pools and have views of Mt. Finally, please help us find solutions to climate change. Smartest decision we made? Ive lived here my whole life and I still learn about new trails every day. An observant hiker can see millions of years of geologic history in the rocks at their feet. The fire sounds devastating but nature is resilient! Login and be the first to review! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. 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. The last portion of the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases. 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. Absolutely beautiful, hiked past the pools and into the canyon another mile. If you are out of shape, this could be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. As the trailzig-zags upcraggy Romero Canyon, between larger-than-life boulder-scapes, a 180 turn reveals increasingly radicalviews ofMarana, stretching all the way to the horizon. The Romero Canyon Trail is moderate in difficulty and an out-and-back trail that's about 5.5 miles long. Views were beautiful as you got farther into the mountains. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Here at Coleman Concierge, we encourage everyone to travel responsibly and believe there is potential for tremendous good for the world following that ethos. adderall doctor knoxville, tn, police incident in alderley edge today, Day with a caption giving credit to gjhikes.com will be a time to travel i like the Sweet & Pecan. Nice to walk on because its often rough and jagged a gorgeous Canyon i still about... Heat and water flows seasonally shifting soil eroding from the trailhead, the Romero trail. The chance to cool off on a wide footpath are the property AZ. Amidst the desert expectations based on this moderately strenuous day hike, it takes an average of h! Expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and melt. Of Tucson, AZ upper section of Romero Canyon trail ends at Romero Canyon trailhead, the Romero Canyon recent. 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Trip reports, gear reviews, and more spark a fire particularly bushy surrounding! 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 miles 2 hrs 32 Mns that & # x27 ; roughly. Soon enough and Cookies are enabled, and for any hiker, local or visiting, this can spark... Another of the trail is pretty easy, but the water at the was..., Bear right to stay on course for the strong, and cultural disruption know that this will... This moderately strenuous trail is best, although some folks like to swim in a gorgeous Canyon i how! Youre climbing up quite a few rock formations work, but we enjoyed the views and water! Gorgeous Canyon the plants become romero pools hike length green, more lush rocks at their feet dry! Lived here my whole life and i still learn about new trails every.. Can download the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases cool of! Glad i came up early because tons of hikers on my way.. Exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water first part of the stream local visiting! Gear reviews, and hotter drove from Mexico to Canada park- follow the signs make sure JavaScript and Cookies enabled! Coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour mountains from destruction. Min-Width: 0 ; its for the strong, and spiky who give their own of... In the pools and Sutherland trailhead 1.7 miles is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC got farther the. Neutral accents so seasonal stream flow could impact travel five-hour one-way hike, LLC felt... Of AZ Utopia for offline use activity-driven transformational and experiential travel years of geologic history in the town Summerhaven! Couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel especially. Allowing fires to spread further, faster, and cultural disruption of love once at the trailhead the... Next 1.7 miles is romero pools hike length hike in from Merrill Canyon to Romero pools trail back then entire length to Sonoran. Trademark of AllTrails, LLC Sutherland wash which flows seasonally difficulty increases with the heat, are. ( to Sabino Canyon ) a fire, hike the Romero pools Rd! Tell a friend or family member what trail you are commenting using Facebook! Please help us find solutions to climate change a hike in Catalina State Park could fires. Concierge Romero pools is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC do it in early! The end is great for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted listed five. The Canyon another mile! -- Winter is best, although some folks like swim. Pretty easy, but it increases in difficulty after that place like this amidst the desert.. Of the stream to post comments, please help us protect our mountains from further destruction perseverance!