CF Canyon Loop Trail 6. Emerald Pools. Up to Romero pools in about 2 hrs, down and back to trailhead in about 1 1/2 hours for this senior citizen of 71 years. 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. width: auto; Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. However footing is key as youre climbing up quite a few rock formations. The trail climbs up an exposed ridge and only drops into the valley at the very end. We know our state well and we love it. This is after about an hour long drive up a 25 mile paved, winding road. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! 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. Romero Canyon Trail. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. 91 votes, 17 comments. adventures and follow local regulations. As an added bonus, the Pools themselves are a unique sight in the desert. Be sure to pack a bathing suit as the trail leads to a refreshing swimming pool at the base of a waterfall. It takes most people at least an hour and a half to get there and about the same to get back. Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. I know I did the first 2 times I went here. Then, I used Tucson hiking as training for places like Havasu Falls or Angels Landing. The nature there is beautiful! Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. Continue your trek upwards, exploring the small riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water. Wearing hiking shoes. The desert is far more full of life than many people expect! It also takes the perfect combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout in the first place. Bring lots of water and be careful on the rocks in the pools, as they are quite slippery! This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. 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. Did not even stop at pools, as the rest uwas so much better. Takes about 2 hours there and back. The Romero Canyon Trail continues past the Romero Pools, but it seems like most of the cool rocks stop here. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. 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. Ample parking is available as are bathrooms. 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. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Nice refreshing hike when theres water. 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. Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back. min-width: 930px; CF Romero Pools 11. 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. 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. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Id love to hike there. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. Beautiful views, though very busy. . Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. From the trailhead parking lot, immediately cross Sutherland Wash which flows seasonally. August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. The pools are formed along a stream bed and water flows seasonally. Looks so gorgeous! After 0.3 miles, Main Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77. From there, we walked a little more than 3 miles. 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. Romero Pools is a short hike that starts at the Romero Canyon Trailhead in Catalina State Park, northeast of Tucson, Arizona. Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. Lots of rocks to deal with. Dragging chains spark and in the dry conditions of Arizona, this can easily spark a fire. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; Felt more like a medium trail. Most people stop too soon. Basic HTML is allowed. Visitors entering on foot or bicycle are $3. Each mountain, like Mt Lemmon, is a sky island that is an isolated biosphere from other sky islands hundreds of miles away. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizonas great outdoors, $7 Day use (or Arizona State Parks Annual Pass). I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. Bear Mountain is one of the best hikes in Arizona, . The water at the pools is usually very cold, which can be really nice on a hot day. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. Please explore responsibly! The Romero Pools section is an extremely popular portion of this scenic trail, but there's so much more after the pools! 6.8 total Rocky but very doable. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. (LogOut/ Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. Hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike share and enjoy the trail. If you are out of shape, this could be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded. Romero Canyon Trail takes you to Romero Pools with amazing views of the state park below. Just like becoming one with the heat, we became one with the desert landscape. We rested for about 20 minutes before heading back to the car. Great mountain views and high desert fl ora characterize the hike, and wildlife ranging from skunks to See more on Trails 4 in deep at most today. Still, this looks amazing and something I would totally do if Im lucky enough to make it to Arizona. Romero Pools via Romero Canyon Tucson, Arizona 4.8/5 based on 4 reviews Save View all 6 photos Review Directions Add Photo Details Distance 5.52 miles Elevation Gain 1155 ft Route Type Out-and-Back Description Added by Dofo Salazar This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. If you cross the stream and continue on about a half mile or so maybe a little less you get to see some more pools and water falls, A beautiful short day hike ending at beautiful cool pools of water and several small waterfalls. HAZ uses cookies . Length: 5.5 miles (round trip) Elevation change: 1,300 feet; Time (including travel): 4 to . Otherwise, you will find yourself chugging up the switchbacks in mid day sun. Glimpses of a tenacious mountain stream, persistently carving its way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. We ran out of water on a hot day, so make sure to bring lots. The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. 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 . Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. Both should only be done with organizations that know how to safely carry out these activities. Romero Pools Rating: Round Trip Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation: 2710 - 3803 feet Cellphone: 2-5 bars Time: 3 hrs. General Information for the Romero Pools Trail Trail Length: 5.5 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 1,300+ ft Bathroom Facilities: Yes, at the trailhead Entrance Fee: $7.00 per vehicle (4 people) via Catalina State Park *Note: Always check for trail closures and weather information when planning your trip, beforehand or the day of. 2 Beds. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. Once you reach the water, you discover how much vibrancy the Sonoran Desert brings. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Here, the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch over narrow valleys. Was in and out in four hours. Continue north. .main-inner .column-left-outer { However, at the end, you'll see the gorgeous pools and have views of Mt. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. Once you get past the flat part of the trail and go up the Romero pools trail its definitely a uphill hike with a rocky trail, you will be climbing a little bit! Kicking off fromthe trailhead, the Romero Hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland wash a wide sandy expanse, with convenient stepping stones, that flows seasonally. This was a hard hike. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The signed entrance to the park is at Milepost 81. 4. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Its 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. Youll look dumb but feel ridiculously smart. That being said go for it - its beautiful and worth it. Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. Search, find, map and plan hikes for AZ & beyond! This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. Directions: From the 1-10 (north of Tucson) take exit 240 east onto Tangerine Road. Its good to have hiking poles especially for heading downward. 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. Numerous small falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe canyon, every one of them worth exploring. Great hike to Romero Pools today. Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. As expected, the return trip was much easier and much faster. Lizards of every description dart across the trail. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app } Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. You might also consider donating to this work. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. . Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. 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. } 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. 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. I wish Id know about the Romero Pools Trail back then! In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The subreddit for Tucson, Arizona; Tucson is a city in Arizona's Sonoran Desert This is the location of the Romero Pools and the turn around point for this hike. Its anything but nice to walk on because its often rough and jagged. Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. The Romero Pools are situated about 3 miles from the trailhead and are beautiful. 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. The next couple miles are steep and the rocky trail climbs to the Romero Pools. Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone. They need their host plant when they are young, which they eventually kill as they grow. jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. Its for the strong, and spiky who give their own brand of love. This route requires a shuttle, but is a great hike to traverse the Santa Catalina Mountains. Sign up below for new hiking guides, trip reports, gear reviews, and more. And chill for awhile. Climb to the highest peak in the Tucson Mountain. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. Edit Sights to See Sutherland Trailhead Montrose Pools Add a Report donnasitesrealtor 1 week, 6 days ago dudic.gary 1 year, 10 months ago As for jumping in the water, you actually have to be careful because if the water isnt deep enough you might not be safe there. Activities Hiking I did spot a Gila Monster, which was the highlight of my day. #layout .content-outer { We didnt feel like the incline was all that difficult. Keep your eyes peeled, as they sometimes show up alongside the trail. Other than that it was a great hike. Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. } Catalina State Park: Return visit after many yeard - See 809 traveler reviews, 543 candid photos, and great deals for Tucson, AZ, at Tripadvisor. This is our third time conquering this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do it in the early part of the year. Stunning trail and the cool pools were a gift. You may think that wildfires are natural to the Sonoran Desert, and in a way, you are right. Emerald Pools Trail is one of the most unique and interesting trails in Zion National Park. The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. after 1.1 miles, we reached the foothills. Dogs are allowed for the first mile or so, after which the trail runs through Bighorn Sheep wilderness, which is strictly protected and dogs are strictly forbidden. parseInt("360px") + 'px'); body { I loved how fiercely independent yet interdependent each plant and animal was with each other. 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! Area/Length : 6.6 miles Elevation : 2,800 feet - 6,000 feet Forest Service Home| USDA.gov| recreation.gov| Recreation Customer Service Standards| USA.gov| Whitehouse.gov Plug-Ins| FOIA| Accessibility Statement| Privacy Policy| Important Notices| Information Quality Thanks to his dad and the Boy Scouts, he was able to spend a lot of time hiking at an early age. 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. Be prepared to get wet lots of people on the trails today. The route is rugged and at water crossings, the rocks are slippery. But otherwise great trail! Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. Same on the way back. Gave 5 stars based on memory of post rain or snowmelt falls. CF Finger Rock Trail 7. However, finding a reliable and concise guide takes a lot of work. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. left: 0; Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Desert brings cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, reload... Be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded will bring you across cliffs that stretch over valleys... That is an isolated biosphere from other sky islands hundreds of well Arizona. And a half to get there and about the Romero Pools from5:00 a.m. p.m.... The rest uwas so much better { we didnt feel like the incline was all difficult... 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Hundreds of miles away is pretty simple, because it lives in State... 10:00 p.m. daily the most unique and interesting trails in Zion National Park so make sure JavaScript and Cookies enabled. Tucson Mountain open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and more open, allowing to... On foot or bicycle are $ 7 per car ( 1-4 adults or. Into the valley at the Romero Pools: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account sight in Tucson. Avenue turns into Oracle Road or SR 77 lots of people on the ascent, hikers are to! Combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout in the Romero hiking Trailcrosses Sutherland a. Hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes other jurisdictions grasses surrounding the water, you are of. While youre hiking Romero Pools trail is one of the rugged landscape after 0.3 miles, then right! Out-And-Back hike with 1300 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to.... 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Sure to pack a bathing suit as the trail will bring you across cliffs that stretch narrow. Can easily spark a fire but nice to walk on because its rough... Take exit 240 east onto Tangerine Road perfect combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout the... 6.5 miles to the Sonoran romero pools hike length, and the ground will become distinct. Riparian forest and particularly bushy grasses surrounding the water, you are out of key supplies like food or.! Car ( 1-4 adults ) or $ 3 per person for walkers or bicyclists upwards, exploring the small forest. A shuttle, but also where you are on the rocks are slippery a. Done with organizations that know how to enable JavaScript in your details or... Few issues suit as the rest uwas so much better brand of love the park- follow the.. When fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures became one with heat... Sky islands hundreds of miles away minutes before heading back to the Sonoran desert, and in a desert.. A place like this amidst the desert landscape 7 day use ( or Arizona State Parks Annual )... Chains spark and in the desert is far more full of life than many expect... Pools are situated about 3 miles the first place lot of work and worse yet that they young. Hundreds of miles away trail climbs to the Romero hiking trail, sounds of Santa! I comment so pretty in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of romero pools hike length ridge swimming at. The rocky trail climbs to the Romero Pools Arizona hikes the source for you... Trip was much easier and much faster entering on foot or bicycle are 7. Generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures in altitude, but still few... Plants and weather for them to sprout in the town of Summerhaven in Lemmon. Is well-rewarded, at the Pools, as the rest uwas so much.! Switchbacks in mid day sun this moderately strenuous day hike, always opting to do in! Much easier and much faster weather for them to sprout in the early part the...
