This looks wonderful! Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. min-width: 0; We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. These pools are also home to bighorn sheep, which need surface water to survive. Take it easygo slow, take breaks. The water was deep enough to cut off the trail right at the start. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Some water and a water crossing at the beginning. Beautiful views, though very busy. Catalina State Park: Romero pools hike - See 801 traveler reviews, 541 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel. Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. March 2015. (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required) The trail then slowly climbs up-canyon 4.4 miles to Romero Pass at 6,000 feet elevation. Crossed 1st Romero pool on rocks. Even though it had rained pretty heavily a few days before we got there, the Romero Pools were pretty low. While the land will heal to some extent, please know that this process will take many many years. 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. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. 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. The Romero Pools Trail is an absolutely beautiful and rewarding hike in Catalina State Park, Tucson. Also, no dogs on the second part of the trail due to bighorn sheep. 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. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. In fact, at the time that buffelgrass was brought to Arizona in those days, it was considered a wonder plant. The vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused. But one of the trails that I did explore (and have since revisited) is Romero Pools Trail. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Below, Ive listed the five things I always keep in my Camelback (other than water, duh). Search, find, map and plan hikes for AZ & beyond! Learn more about overtourism and tips for sustainable travel here! Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet Avoid Dehydration Return to top Supervisor's Office 300 W. Congress St. Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 388-8300 Contact Us Recreation.gov askUSDA Report Fraud on USDA Contracts Accessibility Statement WhiteHouse.gov Policies and Links Visit OIG Privacy Policy He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11. People frequently have to get rescued from this canyon. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. azutopia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. Either a Diamondback or a King Snakedidnt want to get too close! Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. Bear Mountain, Sedona. Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. It also takes the perfect combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout in the first place. 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. Was in and out in four hours. right: 100%; 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. Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. Hike to the Romero Pools near Tuscon, Arizona. If its the only option, of course, go for it! There are lots of spots to sit and watch the more adventurous flip and jump into the water. We could have taken the Romero Trail all the way to the top of Mt Lemmon (it goes). Camping is limited to 14 nights in a 30-day period. 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. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. Also, follow all fire rules while camping and ensure that you know what land managers are allowing at any time. This post may contain affiliate links. This is where the sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain. Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet Water cascades down the granite cliffs into clear pools that you can relax around, and swim or wade into. ML Babad Do'ag Trail 13. Trailhead: Catalina State Park Fee: $7/vehicle Attractions: Scenic trail, plunge pools Romero Pools is located in the Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. Just past aspur trail to Montrose Pools (a scenic, sometimes flowing, stream bed) the Romero Hiking Trail begins to climb in earnest. The hike takes about 3 hours round trip and it is recommended to bring at least 1 quart of water per person. Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. If you're coming to Jordan, you will definitely be planning a Petra tour. Our first time visiting the pools was in March 2010 and second time in February of [] Making sure there were cold beers in our fridge to celebrate with when we got home. And it is here, that you will begin to see the pools for which this trail is named. 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! Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . Great hike. Winter is best, although some folks like to swim in the pools in the summer. Lost trail there. In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. 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. This trail goes by Montrose Pools and Sutherland Trailhead. Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. 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 might as well explore a little. 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. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Maps, directions, and reviews. Your email address will not be published. Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. Each mountain, like Mt Lemmon, is a sky island that is an isolated biosphere from other sky islands hundreds of miles away. 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. It was highly resilient and cattle seemed to prefer it as forage. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. This means that there were many areas of open space between plants. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Looks so gorgeous! #layout .content-outer { There's also a shuttle that will take you to the top and back for a small fee. About 0.5 miles from the previous trail junction, you'll reach a signed spur trail for the Montrose Pools. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. From the well signed trailhead, the first thing you'll need to do is cross a normally dry wash. Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. Day three of a through hike, from AZT Section 11 to Romero Canyon Trail. These larger fires then burn and kill more native species. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-center-outer { They are a juxtaposition between strength and vulnerability, taking and giving that forms this world in balance. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. left: 0; This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. Bring plenty of water. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. Always a gorgeous hike! Your email address will not be published. (LogOut/ D 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 just inside the entrance to Catalina State Park. Thanks to his dad and the Boy Scouts, he was able to spend a lot of time hiking at an early age. This is challenging hike. Loved the views and the scenery. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. min-width: 0; The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. Vote for leaders that are committed to making positive changes that help us successfully transition our economy away from dirty energy. It does eventually get easier to have a conversation with whomever youre hiking with. It really is- hope the fire didnt destroy it all. don 8 months, 2 weeks ago. 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. We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. This cycle will change the landscape of the Sonoran Desert forever, unless we do something. They need their host plant when they are young, which they eventually kill as they grow. Emerald Pools. 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