Romero Canyon to Romero Pools

Finally made a trip out to Romero Pools, a popular destination hike in Catalina State Park, rated as hard but actually more moderate. I have hiked past the Pools many times, on actual hard hikes up Romero Canyon, most recently on January 3, a point-to-point hike, Romero Canyon to the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center (20 miles). I have also hiked up to Romero Pass and back at least thrice (14-15 miles). But most notoriously, five years ago my hiking pal Jacques from Quebec, and two others, made the ill-fated, 12-hour slog up the Sutherland Trail, across the Mt. Lemmon Trail, and back down Romero Canyon (24 miles), a hike that  quite literally scared the shit out of me. So it was a relief and a joy to dawdle on a beautiful trail, on a beautiful day, with a beautiful destination, on a beautiful six-miler.

Temp at the start at 9:30 was near 60º, edging toward 80º at the return 2 ½ hours later. Almost no wind today making for clear conditions. We did have to cross the shallow wash at the start, but kept mostly dry, and even the gushing water at the pools didn't prevent us from continuing the final 0.4 miles to the last pool. Great day all-round.

Hard to make out this waterfall in the distance, testament to the recent record rainfall. 

Closeup of the waterfall. We saw a few and I have never seen a single one previously.

First shot of the pools.

Jack in his distinctive Vans.

Romero Pools.