August 29, 2017Updated: December 31, 2020by Max Karren. I would have given 4.5 stars. Look closer at an old saguaro to see all kinds of cracks and holes that animals live in. } The creek itself is pretty dry most of the year, but after a rain it's a wonderful place to cool off and escape from the merciless desert heat. width: 360px; This means that buffelgrass thrives after wildfires; it grows back quickly, its seeds benefit from the fire, and in Arizona, fires also wipe out competitive species, making more room for buffelgrass. It's roughly 80 feet in length. Takes months to expire, is durable in packs that might see some abuse and doesnt melt all over your hands. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. margin-right: -360px; Lost trail there. It can be very breezy and cold at times. The next couple miles are steep and the rocky trail climbs to the Romero Pools. Wear ankle hiking boots and bring plenty of water. Experience the brilliance of poppies in the springtime on the Sutherland Trail. Sutherland Trail Out-and-Back. Want to hike Tucsons best trails? The last portion of the trail gets more difficult as the incline increases. 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 Romero Trailhead is located within the park- follow the signs. Busy area even on Wednesday. Explore more of our guides to get an inside view on the best places to visit and explore in our state. On the ascent, hikers are treated to breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The trail will become steeper and steeper and the hills will shift into the towering expanses of Catalina Sky Island. There was some water on the trails. 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 Canyon Loop trail crosses a wash several times, so seasonal stream flow could impact travel. . Oh shoot! During the monsoon months, heavy rainfall can fall on isolated portions of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It seems like every plant on the trail wants to hurt us, from cactus thorns to agave points to spikes branches of the mesquite and palo verde. However, best just to not be out there if a fire is out of hand, and part of the work is teaching people to stop starting the fires on accident or otherwise. 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. Suggest ankle support. // Each mountain, like Mt Lemmon, is a sky island that is an isolated biosphere from other sky islands hundreds of miles away. It's been about 5 years since we hiked the Romero Pools Trail, which means we've been long overdue for another hike there. Marvel at the heights you gained on this walk up into the wilds of Arizona on the Romero Pools Trail. Trailhead: Catalina State Park Fee: $7/vehicle Attractions: Scenic trail, plunge pools Romero Pools is located in the Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona. Mount Kimball. margin-left: -0; Devin exploring Romero Pools by headlamp. This home has fresh interior paint and new appliances. Looking down Romero Canyon. // See https://www.blogger.com/go/adspersonalization #layout { We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. Sometimes these are mistakes or accidents that couldnt be helped, but other times, they are stupid mistakes or outright negligence. This section of the hike gains a little elevation, but is mostly flat for about 0.6 miles until you reach the next signed trail junction (JCT_1R on the map) with the Canyon Loop trail. 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 resource). Well maintained, well marked trail! . Login and be the first to review! Once you reach the first junction, bear right to stay on course for the pools. 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. You will also find cliffs of . This fire destroyed many of the landscapes that we locals have loved and enjoyed for decades, and this means that our familiar trails are no longer familiar. Coleman Concierge Romero Pools: Tucsons Other Hiking Trail With Water. In the past, lightning could light fires in the desert, but the pre-colonial Sonoran Desert was patchy. Don't worry about how busy it seems - most of the people you see are probably only going as far as the dam or picnic areas. Today, however, things are different. Beneaththe sky-high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stalwart stream has carvedan splash-worthyplayground into the surrounding granite. The pools are full and water is running. Your email address will not be published. This part might be a little difficult for beginners, but still worth it once you get to the pools. Read my Best Hikes in Tucson article or check out our individual Tucson Hiking Guides. 2nd pool has a nice waterfall. 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. Hiking Romero Pools is a tried and true Tucson classic. Join a community with a zest for living life to its fullest. This is a moderate hike due to the 1000 ft steady climb. 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 Day-use fees are $7 per car (1-4 adults) or $3 per person for walkers or bicyclists. } place Pima County, Arizona . Our hike started in the Sutherland Wash, a dry waterway filled with wispy mesquite trees that send tap roots down to the water table below. Enough water at the start we had to take off our boots! The Romero Canyon Trail continues past the Romero Pools, but it seems like most of the cool rocks stop here. Some of these were native and others, like buffelgrass, were introduced from other parts of the world. Don't miss Hutch's Pools along West Fork Trail at 3.4 miles after Romero Pass. This post may contain affiliate links. Here the pathbecomes rocky and rugged, enveloped in incredible canyonviews. Romero Canyon is a significant drainage and has the potential for flash flooding, so be cautious and look up the forecast before you go. Home Home FAQ Contribute Shop. One of Tucsons favorite hikes, I write up my experience on a trek to the Romero Pools. 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. They are old and slow growing. Shape your expectations based on this, and please, help us protect our mountains from further destruction. At this elevation, grasses cover the plains while the oaks prefer the valleys. Tucson, AZ. Bring appropriate clothes (it can get cold in the higher reaches of the mountains in the mornings and in the fall/winter/spring). They need the saguaros just like the saguaro needs them to distribute their fruit. A must do hike if you are visiting. Getting to the Romero Pools Trail is pretty simple, because it lives in Catalina State Park. 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