Catalinas - Romero Canyon

December 3, 2021 hike: Romero Canyon from Catalina State Park to Romero Pass in the Sabino Recreational Area.

It was another beautiful day in the mid-70s, sunny and no wind. Even with sunscreen, I felt well broiled by the end of the day.

The trail has a nice mix of steep climbs, open plateaus, forests and a nice stream. There are many spectacular views on this trail. The front-side mountains are a real workout with a steep rocky trail. There is another steep section before the mid-plateau and the top is extremely steep, eroded and full of lacerating thorny plants. I have many more scratches, even though I wore knee-high gaiters.

Photo 1 shows a nice saguaro-covered slope in the front-side mountains.

Photo 2 shows the very deep narrow canyon that cuts beside the front-side mountains.

Photo 3 shows the striking rugged canyon scenery just to the southeast of the front-side mountains. I believe this is Montrose canyon, which runs south of Romero canyon.

Photo 4 shows a dramatic gorge from the mid-canyon plateau.

Photo 5 is a video that shows the immense upper plateau and the mountain range that borders the east and north of Romero canyon.

Photo 6 looks up at one of the canyons along the south wall of Romero Canyon, just beyond the gorge shown in photo 5. The Romero Pass canyon is the next canyon to the east.

Photo 7 is a video that was taken from the top of Romero Pass, looking southeast down the West Fork of the Sabino Recreational Area, with the Rincon mountains in the distance. This area is quite remote - I've never met another hiker within hours of this location over the years.

Photo 8 is a still picture of the video/photo 7 view.

Photos 9-12 show a selection of wildflowers on the trail. There is not much blooming currently.

Once again, a stunning day out in the Catalinas, especially considered that the hike occurred in December.

Hike stats: 14.1 miles with about 3,300 vertical feet to a peak of 6,080 feet in 7 hours.