Wherefore Art Thou, Romero Pools?

Romero Pools

Catalina SP, Tucson, Arizona

5.6 miles round-trip, moderate

With apologies to the Bard of Avon, the Wherefore Question is asked and answered here, in the foothills of the Santa Catalinas.  We find plenty of reasons to praise this out-and-back hike: panoramic views, fanciful rock formations, sublime water features, display of desert flora, and a positive effort/reward ratio along the trail. 
 

Embarking from the trailhead on an already-warm spring morning, we straightaway traverse broad-and-sandy Sutherland Wash.  The park brochure informs us that we might just get our feet wet in seasonal flow: we don’t today and, chances are, you won’t either.  It’s dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage (As You Like It, Act II. Scene VII) on this tract of state park land.

Cholla Cactus, Catalina State Park.

It's Dry Here.

Happily, the Where Question is also asked and answered here.  Clear and abundant signage directs us toward Romero Canyon at every fork or junction in the trail.  After a short-and-steep opening hill, the first mile is easy-going: a well-defined path traverses desert floor to Montrose Pools.  The park brochure informs us that these pools are usually dry.  Indeed, they are dry as hay today (Macbeth, Act I. Scene III) and they’ll probably be dry on your hike, too.

Past Montrose Pools, we begin a more precipitous, one-point-eight mile ascent across the exposed northern face of Montrose Canyon.  The sun, arching ever-higher in the sky, follows our progress and warms the air as we move along increasingly rugged trail. 

Climbing, Climbing, Climbing on the Romero Canyon Trail.

Let us seek out some desolate shade (Macbeth, Act IV. Scene III).  Sorry, Shakespeare, desolate shade is one thing that’s lacking here.  We pause periodically, not only to hydrate, but also to appreciate panoramic Oro Valley unfolding behind us.  The view is impressive—despite insidious encroachment of Tucson commercial and residential sprawl on desert landscape.  But soft!  What light through yonder Walmart breaks?

Enjoying the View, Romero Canyon Trail.

After climbing, climbing, and climbing some more, we reach a ridge between Montrose and Romero Canyons.  Tracing the ridgeline, giving a little and taking a little in elevation, we hear a distant waterfall and spot it from a natural overlook.  And suddenly, with late-morning light splashing across the craggy igneous rock face, the once-distant Catalina Mountains seem quite close, almost palpable.

Flora, Romero Canyon Trail.

In time, we descend from the ridge, dropping to Romero Pools, an idyllic hollow of sheltering trees, shimmering stream catchments, and tumbling waterfalls on the canyon bottom. The park brochure informs us that this water flows seasonally.  It is flowing energetically today, and it’s pleasing to think that we chose a good season to visit.

The Other One of Us.

Caution!  Water-polished rock is slippery when wet and sort-of-slippery when not wet.  After agile scrambling (one of us) and inelegant inching (the other one of us), we settle on a waterfront ledge for rest and refreshment.  No cakes and ale (Twelfth Night, Act II. Scene III), but we partake of crackers and water as riparian butterflies flitter about.  The ambient temperature invites some to dangle feet (our party) and others to strip down and dip body parts (another party) in the pools.

Testing the Waters, Romero Pools.

Beyond the pools, unmaintained wilderness trail ascends up the canyon four-point-four miles through landscape ravaged by a 2003 forest fire.  Romero Pass sounds like a destination for another day.

Above the Pools.

Commencing Return Hike.

Another day, another day.  And so, Shakespeare, here’s our single complaint about the day.  On our return hike, we encounter plenty of outbound hikers, including a loud foursome with a large, rambunctious, unleashed dog named Mike. This, despite clear and abundant signage stating that the trail is closed to bicycles and dogs beyond Montrose Pools.  While we understand that every dog will have his day (Hamlet, Act V. Scene I), Mike should not be having his day in direct violation of Desert Bighorn Sheep Management Area regulations.

Hohokam Ruins.

In the early evening, we take a short walk along the Romero Ruins Trail, reflecting upon remnants of a Hohokam village circa 500-1500AD and the toppled remains of a nineteenth-century ranch built by Tucson native Francisco Romero.  The sun begins to settle on the western horizon, saturating Catalina State Park in rosy-orangy-golden glow.  The Where is wonderful and the Wherefore is abundantly clear.

Day's End, Catalina State Park.