} There's also a shuttle that will take you to the top and back for a small fee. There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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! If you are out of shape, this could be gut wrenching but perseverance is well-rewarded. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. The pools are formed along a stream bed and water flows seasonally. Glimpses of a tenacious mountain stream, persistently carving its way through the canyon, appear and disappear along the length of this rugged trail. You will also find cliffs of . About this time, they are taking in enough water to have choked out their host plant. The wonder grass for Arizonas ranching days is something that we ecologists call fire-adapted. Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. Upper section of Romero Canyon shows recent work, but still a few issues. The views along the trail to the Romero Pools will take your breath awayif you have any breath left, that is. From anywhere south of Tucson, head into town and then jump on the 77 north. Its not only the changes in altitude, but also where you are on the hillside that creates different life zone. Find TrailDEX Filter . Hiking: 5.10 Miles: 1,179 AEG: Hiking: 5.10 Miles 2 Hrs 32 Mns . }. I was there two weeks ago and went to the upper pools. Thus, when fires started, they were generally small and didnt burn at extreme temperatures. Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing. 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. Discover this 8.9-km out-and-back trail near Catalina, Arizona. Saguaros are about 70 years old when they reach the height of a tall man and start blooming. Bring hiking shoes or sandals that provide good traction and trekking poles to help with stability. The well worn trail is easy to follow for it's entire length to the Romero Pools. Credit: Troy McKaskle via Flickr Glad I came up early because tons of hikers on my way down. right: 100%; ML Babad Do'ag Trail 13. Up and up you will travel, until you find the trail arching down into one of those narrow, mountain valleys. This was a hard hike. But there is so much to see in AZ. The first part of the trail is pretty easy, but it increases in difficulty after that. Beautiful hike. Wasson Peak. It took us two and a half hours for the out and back to the Romero pools. Continue along the Romero Canyon trail as the trail switchbacks higher and higher. There will be a time to travel soon enough. There was snow over night but the trail was in Great shape. I fully admit that this hike kicked my butt, and there were several pauses where I found myself asking, Can I do this? All I can say is KEEP.GOING. It's roughly 80 feet in length. Beyond the wash, the pathwayremainswide,flat and easyfor the next mile, as it heads into the canyon. Hiking in Arizona is really amazing. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. 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. We kept saying that the trails were much rougher than we remembered as we slugged along. 945 Sq Ft. 816 S Langley Ave Unit 204, Tucson, AZ 85710. adventures and follow local regulations. He completed his first 14-mile day hike at age 7 in Zion National Park and was backpacking by age 11. .main-inner .fauxcolumn-center-outer { . There is just a trickle. Our first time visiting the pools was in March 2010 and second time in February of [] Length: 6.5 miles to the pools and back. When you pause, youll hear the rustling of wildlife among tall, dry grass; calls to each other with buzzes, tweets and chirps. Cool breezes on your sweaty forehead help a bit. Saguaros are the perfect example of life in the desert. We had lunch at some pools and had spectacular views along the way. padding-right: 360px; Wearing hiking shoes. Hike in to enjoy the sunshine and cool water of this famous natural swimming hole and make a memory as well. Please explore responsibly! Great mountain views and high desert fl ora characterize the hike, and wildlife ranging from skunks to See more on Trails 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! Vote for leaders that are committed to making positive changes that help us successfully transition our economy away from dirty energy. width: 0; min-width: 930px; The last portion of the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases. 2 Beds. 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 April 2018 is a dry year. ML Wilderness of Rock 18. Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. This is where the sagebrush grows that smells so strong after a desert rain. After enjoying the pools, return the way you came. Same on the way back. 4 in deep at most today. At a Glance General Information Directions: Drive 18 miles north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89) to Catalina State Park. The rugged trail climbs through craggy rock outcroppings as it heads deep into the Santa Catalina Mountains. During the summer time be sure to watch out for rattle snakes! It can be very breezy and cold at times. CF Linda Vista Loop 8. A scenic hike through a desert landscape with a refreshing waterfall reward at the end. Max's early childhood was spent in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah and his teenage years in the red rock desert of Southern Utah. Looks so gorgeous! 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. Continue for 13 miles then turn right atCatalina State Park. 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. To reach Romero Pools, hike the Romero Canyon Trail within Catalina State Park. The trees will grow bigger here, and the ground will become that distinct, soft sand of oases in the Sonoran Desert. Bring water and snacks. Continue east onTangerine Road for 13.91 miles, then turn right / south onto Oracle Road. The hike starts at Romero Canyon Trailhead, where it crosses a sandy wash and continues on a wide footpath. Romero Canyon Pools. 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. I loved how the Sonoran Desert shifted in each season, responding to the increases of heat and water. The hike to Romero Pools is Catalina State Parks most popular trail. Also, follow all fire rules while camping and ensure that you know what land managers are allowing at any time. width: 360px; It's one of the few Tucson hikes with water year-round; and there are plenty of trees that provide greenery in spring/summer and pretty foliage through the fall (and most of the winter). Leave a comment (up top, to the left) and let me know! Its important that you are honest with yourself if you are feeling too tired or run out of key supplies like food or water. Petrified Forest National Part and North Eastern AZ, Granite Mountain (McDowell Sonoran Preserve), Box Canyon (Christopher Creek- *Technical), San Tan Regional Park - San Tan trail loops, Petrified Forest National Park and North Eastern AZ. Hi! a memorable climb. 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 For us, it was a bit of a slug fest. Shape your expectations based on this, and please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction. . Most people stop too soon. Really, people underestimate the desert. Do not enter any private driveways please! 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 58 min to complete. // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers Romero Pools offers hikers the chance to cool off on a hot day with a refreshing swim in a gorgeous canyon. Great hike! You'll peak out after climbing 1000 feet. Ive done a lot more hiking this year but not really in a desert like place such as Arizona. We also put in points of interest to get you around Catalina State Park. 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. It also burns extremely hot, making the impacts of fires that are fueled by it more destructive and devastating. In each of these zones, an entirely new set of plants animals live. I wouldnt have expected a place like this amidst the desert. You can download the trail layer to your GPS, or navigate right off your phone. Check out this stunner! There was some water on the trails. Trail is very well maintained and easy to follow to the water pools. This hike begins in the town of Summerhaven in Mount Lemmon, Tuscon AZ. You should also insure that you limit your impact on the trail and the environment. 4. If you're needing overnight lodging, then Tucson would be your best place to look. This means that there were many areas of open space between plants. Ready for a hike? Follow along for practical tips and inspiring advice. Tucson, AZ. There is a water crossing at the beginning that youre probably going to get your socks and shoes wet. This looks wonderful! 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. The trail continues across the wash, deeper into the Coronado national forest, but these pools are a good turn around point. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. 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