Long Hike: to Romero Spring 10 miles - B+ Short Hike: To Romero Pools 6 miles - B Alltrails description and map of the hike Directions: Take 1-10 south and take Exit 240. #layout { (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required) Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,322 feet; a memorable climb. It's roughly 80 feet in length. } Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. } document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. We could have taken the Romero Trail all the way to the top of Mt Lemmon (it goes). The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. Trail in great shape. Romero Canyon Trail takes you to Romero Pools with amazing views of the state park below. 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 pools are full and water is running. 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. This is after about an hour long drive up a 25 mile paved, winding road. About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. Making sure there were cold beers in our fridge to celebrate with when we got home. Great mountain views and high desert fl ora characterize the hike, and wildlife ranging from skunks to See more on Trails 91 votes, 17 comments. The next couple miles are steep and the rocky trail climbs to the Romero Pools. Beautiful hike. This is a popular swimming hole in warmer months, water levels depending. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. We know our state well and we love it. 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. That being said go for it - its beautiful and worth it. AZ is one of the most biodiverse states in the US! Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. } Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. CF Romero Pools 11. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. Views were beautiful as you got farther into the mountains. Bring enough water. Our work will help you visit bucketlist destinations that everyone sees, but more importantly, to find mind-blowing destinations that most might not be aware of. Take a dip. padding-left: 0; Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. min-width: 0; don 8 months, 2 weeks ago. } Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. min-width: 930px; You might also consider donating to this work. There will be a restroom and a very small shop there. 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. Stay right here. Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. As the morning progressed it got a bit warmer so appreciate the angle that Mr. Misadventures chose for this post as my face was a big sweaty mess, but boy did my . 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. You might as well explore a little. Was in and out in four hours. To stay on the Romero canyon trail, stay left here. Today, however, things are different. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. The exposed geology makes Tucson trekking timeless. [CDATA[ window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '1666689300261983', xfbml : true, version : 'v2.5' }); }; (function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); // ]]> Crisp, clear pools and waterfalls are splash perfect, on Romero Hiking Trail. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. 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. Well maintained, well marked trail! Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. CF Linda Vista Loop 8. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at therefreshing oasisof pools and cascades that await, less than 3-milesin. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ. Romero Pools offers hikers the chance to cool off on a hot day with a refreshing swim in a gorgeous canyon. ML Butterfly Trail 14. Romero Pools Rating: Round Trip Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation: 2710 - 3803 feet Cellphone: 2-5 bars Time: 3 hrs. They are old and slow growing. #layout .content-outer { If you're coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour. Emerald Pools. Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. Romero Pools is a full sun hike, even though we ended up in a riparian area. Learn more about overtourism and tips for sustainable travel here! I could see the rose quartz crystals on the trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees. We didn't use poles and didn't miss them either. Great hike. We weren't allowed to interact with sea lions at t, You know how the saying goes - when life gives you, This was my first sunset of my first @UnCruise in, Rickwood caverns might be Alabama's most adventuro, It's finally time for me to start my first UnCruis, We're excited to try UnCruise, because, at Coleman, 15 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Petra Jordan, Understanding Overtourism And How To Travel Responsibly, Comprehensive Luxury Jordan Itinerary - Experience the Best of Jordan, the latest CDC recommendations for travelers, Trailhead: Catalina State Park. // Should prepare your knees and leg muscles for descent. 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). .main-inner .column-left-outer { The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. . (LogOut/ Most of the mountain-dwelling animals just cant cross the empty deserts so they have been isolated for the last 10,000 years since the shallow Arizona seas subsided. When we took this hike, it was after a few days of healthy rains, so the wash crossing was more interesting than usual. The Canyon Loop trail is an easy hike through the foothills that begins and ends at the Trailhead parking lot. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. min-width: 0; (LogOut/ Creek crossing in 1st 50 yards. A must do hike if you are visiting. March 2015. It also takes the perfect combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout in the first place. parseInt("360px") + 'px'); Well maintained trail. It also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating. And make whatever changes you can in your own life to help- donate, volunteer, plant trees, and save energy. 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. Your safety is your responsibility. After 0.3 miles, turn left on Main Avenue. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. Sometimes these are mistakes or accidents that couldnt be helped, but other times, they are stupid mistakes or outright negligence. The scars of Bighorn will be apparent when you hike Romero Pools Trail now, and it may be quite depressing for a very long time. *Note: Always check for trail closures and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day of. 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. These pools are also home to bighorn sheep, which need surface water to survive. The Pinnacle itself features several trad, sport, and top rope routes including a series of anchors and chains at the top. Some of these were native and others, like buffelgrass, were introduced from other parts of the world. The pools are a system of puddles and streams, ranging from relatively still to flowing waterfalls that feed deep swimming holes surrounded by smooth rock. Do not enter any private driveways please! Always a gorgeous hike! You'll peak out after climbing 1000 feet. Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. 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. This means at the very start (and end) you will have to wade through about 30 yards of water. The hike along the Romero Canyon Trail to the Romero Pools is a great way to enjoy this area. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. But otherwise great trail! width: auto; Catalina state park is very popular. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. Length: Hike as much as you would like to. 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! Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the trail. 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. Before you go, please check outthe latest CDC recommendations for travelers. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. 4 in deep at most today. Not hard but moderate difficulty. Like blood flowing through a body, the water brings life, warmth, and nourishment to a variety of desert plants and animals. Never cut switchbacks as this causes major erosion that destroys the trail and the mountain. 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. 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