Smartest decision we made? 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. While the land will heal to some extent, please know that this process will take many many years. Even if you cant physically explore the world, we hope that you enjoy the escape our site provides. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Every view is amazing on this trail, and for any hiker, local or visiting, this should be on your bucketlist. In 2020, we here in Arizona suffered from many devastating wildfires, including the Bighorn Fire, which burned throughout the Catalina Mountains. It was highly resilient and cattle seemed to prefer it as forage. 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. Beautiful weather and the water was running. Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. Change). 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. parseInt("0") - 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. The first plant we noticed was the famous Saguaro cactus. In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. 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. There are few hikes in the country with this level of biodiversity that also offer a glimpse of the pernicious and hidden Sonoran landscape. 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. These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. Visitors entering on foot or bicycle are $3. A little ice on the trail and snow on the peaks made Rocky and steep, but we enjoyed the views and the water at the top was very refreshing! Pack ALL of your trash out (including toilet paper), and stay on the trail at all times (except in cases when remaining on the trail would be dangerous). This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. What we have on our hands, with buffelgrass and other exotic plant species that are spreading rapidly and hurting our native species (e.g. Youll look dumb but feel ridiculously smart. It takes 10 years for a baby saguaro to reach one inch tall. Thus, for your sake and the sake of the local community, go prepared. .content-outer, .content-fauxcolumn-outer, .region-inner { Fire rules are meant to help prevent fires, so please respect them. } Thanks to his dad and the Boy Scouts, he was able to spend a lot of time hiking at an early age. Edit Sights to See Sutherland Trailhead Montrose Pools Add a Report donnasitesrealtor 1 week, 6 days ago dudic.gary 1 year, 10 months ago The desert isnt for the meek. 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. "All county trails and parks that allow dogs require dogs to be on a leash at all times. Trail is very well maintained and easy to follow to the water pools. Great trail that climbs up high to a series of culls before dropping you down into a series of pools This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. People underestimate how diverse and living the desert is. Today, however, things are different. The first part of the trail is pretty easy, but it increases in difficulty after that. I could see the rose quartz crystals on the trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. Here exposed points of bedrock (Gneiss) poke through the alluvium. --> The Romero Canyon Trail is moderate in difficulty and an out-and-back trail that's about 5.5 miles long. Hiking through a desert must be so interesting. Other than that it was a great hike. Well maintained trail. The pools are formed along a stream bed and water flows seasonally. And of course, Climate change makes this worse by shifting our rain patterns, and making our droughts worse. /* IE6 does not respect left and right together */ The Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. At a Glance General Information Directions: Drive 18 miles north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89) to Catalina State Park. } Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. After a while, I realized that I just liked watching the diversity of life and land. The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. 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. When you pause, youll hear the rustling of wildlife among tall, dry grass; calls to each other with buzzes, tweets and chirps. Help hold major polluting companies accountable for their impacts so that they will innovate on solutions. width: 360px; Take it easygo slow, take breaks. Box 245067 | Tucson, Arizona 85724 (520)-626-1069 | Admin Login Glimpses of a tenacious mountain stream, persistently carving its way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. 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. Either a Diamondback or a King Snakedidnt want to get too close! They are fully grown at 200, reaching a height of 45 with roots growing more than 60 around in all directions. 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. The loop is relatively flat, although starts with a short uphill burst before leveling off. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. --> We could have taken the Romero Trail all the way to the top of Mt Lemmon (it goes). This means at the very start (and end) you will have to wade through about 30 yards of water. Tell a friend or family member what trail you are planning on hiking. Fueled by breakfast burritos from El Gero Canelo, Rob and I headed out on a beautiful 70-degree morning for Catalina State Park. Dragging chains spark and in the dry conditions of Arizona, this can easily spark a fire. As a result, it is the most popular hike in Catalina State Park. For example, Mt Graham red squirrels only live on Mt Graham and were thought to be extinct until a new family was discovered fifty years ago. Hike to a seasonal collection of beautiful pools and waterfalls. 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 The Romero Pools Trail is not appropriate for people that are not prepared via supplies and physical ability. The Nightborn Travel team was born and raised in Arizona. The next 1.7 miles are a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. Park at the end of the road. 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). Remember that grass I mentioned earlier, buffelgrass? Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee of $7/vehicle. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or } This is a very popular area for hiking, horse riding, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Numerous small falls and distinctly gold toned pools splash downthe canyon, every one of them worth exploring. I love Catalina State Park! Crossed it by taking off our shoes (not waterproof). This isnt an easy trail. It also takes the perfect combination of host plants and weather for them to sprout in the first place. 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. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. For us, it was a bit of a slug fest. Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. Up from the wash is an alluvial plain of slowly shifting soil eroding from the mountains above. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. You will also find cliffs of . Want to hike Tucsons best trails? Well maintained, well marked trail! Any car can access this trail-headeasily. Difficulty: Moderate; Distance: 5.5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1,322 feet; Let them know when you are leaving, when you expect to get home, and that you will check in when you are done. 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. The Catalina State Park is a popular destination and it's easy to see why. I loved how fiercely independent yet interdependent each plant and animal was with each other. Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. I enjoyed it and am glad I made it to the pools. 5mi 4h 30m Show 3 More Check-Ins Nearby Recommended Routes Canyon Loop via Horse Trail 3.1 mi 285' Up 286' Down Honeybee Canyon Short Loop 12.3 mi 456' Up 457' Down Catalina, AZ Mount Kimball. Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. Cheers! There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel. If you are out of shape, this could be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded. Just like becoming one with the heat, we became one with the desert landscape. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel. Same on the way back. Catalina state park is very popular. Its in these washes where we have seen the black and yellow spotted gila monsters, the largest lizards of the desert. Here are other trails in Catalina State Park to explore while youre hiking Romero Pools. A friendly chipmunk, which we spotted far from that guy <, 9 Unexpected Things You Should Pack for a Long Vacation Arizona Travels, Head lamp: good for dusk and dawn hikes. Your email address will not be published. The route is rugged and at water crossings, the rocks are slippery. Nature, and everyone that loves nature will thank you! Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, environmental damage, and cultural disruption. And chill for awhile. The views were pretty but the pools were not impressive enough to endure the long, rocky hike. Take a dip. The pools were just amazing and felt like a hidden paradise. Nice refreshing hike when theres water. Romero Canyon is in the heart of the Pusch Wilderness, where Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced and are protected. Hikers should leave ample time for a return trip from Romero Pass, which is about a five-hour one-way hike. Right from the start, the Romero Hiking Trail hints at the refreshing oasis of pools and cascades that await, less than 3-miles in. 6.8 total Rocky but very doable. It really is- hope the fire didnt destroy it all. . Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. After 1.7 miles from the Montrose pools, the trail will drop into a canyon and cross the wash again. Bring plenty of water. The Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. The vast majority of fires that get out of hand, here in AZ and elsewhere, are human-caused. 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. Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. The golden hue comes from the roots of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the stream. The hike begins at Romero Canyon Trailhead. The hike to Romero Pools measures 2.8 miles one-way, and the downhill return is much easier. CF Linda Vista Loop 8. Nestled in Arizona's Catalina State Park, just north of Tuscon, are the Romero Pools. Be advised that the Rio Canada del Oro is currently flowing (it is normally a dry wash). Oh darn! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. margin-right: -360px; I would have given 4.5 stars. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. Here, you will find that the plants become more green, more lush. This is the location of the Romero Pools and the turn around point for this hike. Total Distance: 2.8 Miles To Romero Pools If you're into waterfalls, the Romero Pools hike is a must-do. Beautiful hike. Vistas, waterfalls, lots of varied terrain. Youll stretch your legs up and over steep steps, hop from rock to rock and carefully balance close to the trails edge. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. Their prickly thorns look like tough and impregnable but they really are following a narrow life path of conditions that give the life. Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. All content is for entertainment purposes only. Ready for a hike? 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Wasson Peak. The trail is lined with p At the main parking lot of Sabino Canyon, there are a few different trams you can take to nearby trailheads. Medium Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools. Drive north out of Tucson on Oracle Road, which becomes Arizona 77. 91 votes, 17 comments. I advise you start this hike as early as possible. The Romero Pools section is an extremely popular portion of this scenic trail, but there's so much more after the pools! What are your favorite Tucson hikes? . 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. It also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating. Enough water at the start we had to take off our boots! Share this trail: Previous Next. You have the option to either hop on a tram that will take you to the 7 Falls trailhead for $4 a person, or walk the 2 miles yourself. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. The hike takes about 3 hours round trip and it is recommended to bring at least 1 quart of water per person. 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. What trail you are out of hand, here in Arizona suffered from many devastating wildfires, including the Fire... 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