The hike into Romero Canyon is one of the best hikes in the Santa Catalina Range near Tuscon.   It starts in Catalina State Park.  There are a number of connecting trails in the park, but the Romero Canyon Trail climbs out of the park into the Coronado National Forest and the Santa Catalina Natural Area.   The hike to Romero Pass is a 14.4 mile round trip with 3300 feet of elevation gain, a formidable hike.  We chose to hike up to the Romero Spring area and back (about 10 km).

Most of the hikes in the Sonoran Desert hills and mountains follow canyons into rocky, rugged hills below the treeline.   Saguoro cactus, ocotillo, cholla, prickly pear cactus, and spiny shrubs fill all the area off-trail.

From higher in the hills, we could see back down to the desert hills below in Oro Valley.

Along the trail many spring wildflowers and shrubs were in bloom.   All photos taken by the author.   Click an image for a lightbox view.

Romero Creek flowed through the springs area into large, rocky pools.   This was a fine spot for lunch.    By exploring the pools, you may also spot wildlife when it is not too busy.

We returned down the way we came, past the ocotillo canes and brittlebrush to Catalina State Park.   This was our favorite hike in the Santa Catalina Range and highly recommended.