Youve paid your seven bucks to get in. } Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Tucson has SO many amazing hikes! No matter what your level of physical fitness is, you are sure to break a sweat on this climb. The golden hue comes from the roots of the Mexican Oaktrees which leak color into the stream. Along the way, you see fields of 200-year-old saguaros and jagged rock outcroppings. 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. body { Once you reach Summerhaven, drive up Carter Canyon Rd. Discover this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. 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. Required fields are marked *. Romero Pools Here is the track recorded by my Garmin GPS-III: Trail is initially sandy and flat Looking to the left, seems quite verdant for southern Arizona Climbing a little, looking back down towards the entrance Trail gets a bit rocky towards the top of the first ridge Higher still, peeking back through a gap Looking up towards the second ridge Learn more about overtourism and tips for sustainable travel here! Never cut switchbacks as this causes major erosion that destroys the trail and the mountain. It took us two and a half hours for the out and back to the Romero pools. This is a very beautiful hike that leads to a really nice set of falls and pools. Such a pity about the fires and worse yet that they are because of humans. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. These pools look so pretty in the middle of the rugged landscape. _width: expression(this.parentNode.offsetWidth - Trail then starts to climb and get more challenging. The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. As an added bonus, the Pools themselves are a unique sight in the desert. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. AZ is one of the most biodiverse states in the US! Wearing hiking shoes. Nice refreshing hike when theres water. Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. Our first time visiting the pools was in March 2010 and second time in February of [] // See https://www.blogger.com/go/adspersonalization This means at the very start (and end) you will have to wade through about 30 yards of water. Quick Facts Views of the mountains during the hike is exceptional. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app padding-left: 0; Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. Below, Ive listed the five things I always keep in my Camelback (other than water, duh). The park is open year round from5:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. daily. Each pool sits in a stone basin, with water running down from the highest points of the mountains and down towards the desert below. The park is conveniently located just 30 minutes of the big city of Tucson and just 5 minutes from the smaller city of Oro Valley. At this point, the trail narrows and begins its ascent up the ridge. Fromthe highest pointon the Romero Hiking Trail, sounds of the stream raging below precede incredible views over 50 waterfalls and rapids. The water was deep enough to cut off the trail right at the start. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Park's most popular trail. I would love to go hiking around here. Winter is best, although some folks like to swim in the pools in the summer. The last portion of the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases. (. 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. The first 1.1 miles is relatively flat and an easy walk (up to the end of this point, no dogs are allowed). 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. Breathtaking vistas in the Romero Pass area give hikers unforgettable views of Pusch Ridge. Starting from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area you'll want to follow signs for the Bear Canyon Trail. 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. Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Depending on recent rains, this wash may or may not have water in it. Hike to a seasonal collection of beautiful pools and waterfalls. 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. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. Bring enough water. Its anything but nice to walk on because its often rough and jagged. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. The Romero Pools Trail is not appropriate for people that are not prepared via supplies and physical ability. jeannettefalk@aol.com 1 month, 2 weeks ago. CF Pontatoc Ridge Trail 10. Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. Then, I used Tucson hiking as training for places like Havasu Falls or Angels Landing. At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. 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. } The mountains are also powerful and awe-inspiring, with craggy peaks that reach up from the desert to heights that make forests possible. . Catalina State Park Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Romero Canyon Trail to Romero Pools Took just under 3 hours with lots of pics and a brief stop at the top. The hike follows the north side of Romero Canyon offering great canyon views, views of the Catalinas, and a great mixture of switchbacks, rocks and level hiking all within one hike. You'll be sharing the trail with 20-40 other hikers. Length: Hike as much as you would like to. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. Hike and Swim at Romero Pools near Tucson, Arizona. A must do hike if you are visiting. 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 . (End of the road when you enter Catalina State Park from Oracle Rd - entrance fee required) 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. It's true it's hard but it's a beautiful challenge. Vistas, waterfalls, lots of varied terrain. We hope our family-friendly adventures help you discover new places. Enough water at the start we had to take off our boots! Also, thanks to the Good Samaritans who gave my wife some items to hold her shoes together when they both broke about 2 miles in. One of the most accessible major peaks in the Catalinas. min-width: 930px; Climb is tough, but the water at the end is great. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee. Finally, please help us find solutions to climate change. left: 0; Was a little cold to get started. From your vantage point, storm activity may not always be visible. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Well maintained, well marked trail! These invasive plants cover ground previously open, allowing fires to spread further, faster, and hotter. A hike in from Merrill Canyon to Romero pools in Catalina State Park. Well maintained trail. Before you go, please check outthe latest CDC recommendations for travelers. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! The elevation gain ought to get your heart rate up, but in the hottest part of the day you are asking for trouble. Catalina State Park charges an entrance fee of $7/vehicle. 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 well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. All copy and images contained in this website are the property of AZ Utopia. Also, follow all fire rules while camping and ensure that you know what land managers are allowing at any time. Bear Mountain is one of the best hikes in Arizona, . // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers 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. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. You might even run into a ressssident. If its the only option, of course, go for it! Romero Canyon Trail takes you to Romero Pools with amazing views of the state park below. They need the saguaros just like the saguaro needs them to distribute their fruit. Its 5.6 miles of moderate hiking with broad, scenic views of Pusch Ridge and the Santa Catalinas, ending at pools and flowing waterfalls. Daylight and weather are also key- do not hike during monsoons and avoid hiking this trail at night. This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. 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 could see the rose quartz crystals on the trail with the bedding plane shifted 90 degrees. There is always something going on (bird tours, music nights) and many trails to travel.