+ 64
Romero Pools
Hiking Trail
Hard
5.45 mi
1,377 ft
Hike to a seasonal collection of beautiful pools and waterfalls.
The hike up Romero Canyon to the Romero Pools and associated waterfalls is one of the most popular hikes in the greater Tucson area. "Montrose Pools and Romero Pools are shallow catchments on canyon streams that flow seasonally," according to []( When the catchments are full, the pools are popular swinging holes, with great cliff jumping opportunities off the overhanging rocks.
The hike to the pools gets progressively more difficult the further you go on. "The first 1.1 miles is [a] relatively flat and an easy walk," according to Dofo Salazar on [](
After crossing out of the park boundary and into the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area, the trail transforms into a much rougher, "unmaintained wilderness trail," according to AZStateParks. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. The rugged trail climbs through craggy rock outcroppings as it heads deep into the Santa Catalina Mountains.
The hike to Romero Pools measures 2.8 miles one-way, and the downhill return is much easier. If you're looking for a true challenge, you can continue all the way to Romero Pass, which is 7.7 miles one-way from the trailhead. Be forewarned: there's no easier way to return than the trail you climbed up, so you must be prepared for a long day in the mountains.
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
The hike up Romero Canyon to the Romero Pools and associated waterfalls is one of the most popular hikes in the greater Tucson area. "Montrose Pools and Romero Pools are shallow catchments on canyon streams that flow seasonally," according to []( When the catchments are full, the pools are popular swinging holes, with great cliff jumping opportunities off the overhanging rocks.
The hike to the pools gets progressively more difficult the further you go on. "The first 1.1 miles is [a] relatively flat and an easy walk," according to Dofo Salazar on [](
After crossing out of the park boundary and into the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area, the trail transforms into a much rougher, "unmaintained wilderness trail," according to AZStateParks. "The next 1.7 miles is a steep and rocky climb to Romero Pools. Poor trail conditions might be encountered," they warn. The rugged trail climbs through craggy rock outcroppings as it heads deep into the Santa Catalina Mountains.
The hike to Romero Pools measures 2.8 miles one-way, and the downhill return is much easier. If you're looking for a true challenge, you can continue all the way to Romero Pass, which is 7.7 miles one-way from the trailhead. Be forewarned: there's no easier way to return than the trail you climbed up, so you must be prepared for a long day in the mountains.
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romero Pools - Wash to the pools | 2.53 mi | 1,043 ft | 7.0% |
| Romero Pools - Wash to the start of the real trail | 0.82 mi | 187 ft | 4.3% |
| Unnamed Rd Climb | 1.42 mi | 906 ft | 12.0% |
| Real Trail to Jenny's Spot | 1.21 mi | 761 ft | 11.3% |
| Romero Pools - Real trailhead to the saddle | 1.41 mi | 850 ft | 11.3% |
| Romero Pools to Wash - The down | 2.51 mi | -958 ft | -6.4% |
| Romero Pools - pools to the saddle | 0.73 mi | -151 ft | -0.2% |