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A great hiking trail through the heart of the Catalinas.


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Map Key

11.8

Miles

19.0

KM

Point to Point

6,056' 1,846 m

High

3,642' 1,110 m

Low

3,038' 926 m

Up

1,836' 560 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · Views

Wilderness rules apply.

Section Of

Description

The trail starts at the Gordon/Hirabayashi campground off of Mt. Lemmon Highway and ends at the Romero Pass Trail junction. This trail has minor elevation changes, all of which are mostly gradual rolling hills. It does, however, present a few difficult sections for hikers. The climb (or descent, depending on direction) from Romero Pass is certainly the most cardiac challenging section, but the relatively smooth set of switchbacks prevents it from being a scramble.

Running water is seasonal, and the most reliable water source is Hutch's Pool which is approximately half way and about 20 yards off the main trail.

For some history on the trail's start location name, check out the USFS data here.

Flora & Fauna

Deer, skunks, snakes, mountain lions, and black bears.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chad Dailey

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 7 votes

#702

Overall
  4.9 from 7 votes
5 Star
86%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#43

in Arizona

#702

Overall
36 Views Last Month
2,831 Since Mar 3, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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38%
25%
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Photos

Hiking west along Sycamore Reservoir Trail.
Nov 10, 2015 near Tanque…, AZ
Looking back down Romero Canyon from the top of the pass
Dec 1, 2019 near Oro Valley, AZ
Along E Fork Trail towards Rattlesnake Pt
Aug 7, 2017 near Tanque…, AZ
Just after the turn on to AZT.
Aug 7, 2017 near Tanque…, AZ
Snow at the top or Romero Pass
Dec 1, 2019 near Oro Valley, AZ
The East Fork trail junction at the terminus of Palisades #99 trail.
Oct 6, 2019 near Tanque…, AZ
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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Feb 25, 2024
DD Demers
Hutch's Pool
Mar 21, 2021
Julian Sanchez
Nice downhill. Steady climb up from Hutch's Pool. Here is is partially undefined trail. Uphill is steep not as steep as Pusch though. Water to the end 23.1mi — 16h 07m
May 24, 2019
Semi Feral
This trail is amazing and passes through several different ecosystems. Although mostly easy, the leg using #5 Mt. Lemmon trail is difficult. 21.6mi — 11h 57m
Dec 15, 2018
Eric Jackson
Sabino Canyon trail to Romero Saddle, as part of a Sabino to Summit hike 7.1mi — 2h 35m
Mar 24, 2018
Eric Jackson
Day two of a through hike, on AZT Section 11 and down part of the Romero Canyon Trail, to Old Trail Camp. 7.2mi — 8h 00m
Mar 23, 2018
Eric Jackson
Day one of a through-hike on the AZT section 11, Gordon Hirabayashi trailhead to Hutch's Pool 7.4mi — 5h 30m
Nov 4, 2017
Nina Ossanna
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