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Gadsden Trail - Estrella Mtn RP - 12 members in 121 triplogs have rated this an average 2.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next
121 triplogs
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Oct 04 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP RainToothGadFly Loop, AZ 
EMRP RainToothGadFly Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Oct 04 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn13.40 Miles 1,361 AEG
Biking - Mtn13.40 Miles   1 Hour   54 Mns   7.24 mph
1,361 ft AEG      3 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Decided I was in the mood for some climbing this morning and headed over to Estrella Mountain Regional Park. No attendant at the main entrance station when I entered before 8am. Campground is still under construction, so I parked at Navy and started on Horseshoe to Rainbow Valley, up and over the hill to Toothaker, headed south to Gadsden, East to Flycatcher over the hill and back on Gadsden to Butterfield north to Coldwater. Took Coldwater north to the end to check out the campground construction. Back around to Horseshoe and parking lot. Only saw one other biker, on Horseshoe, less than a mile from the lot. Plenty of hikers out and about, most notably the fellow all the way out on Flycatcher. Rainbow Valley and Toothaker hills have a lot of sedimentary gravel which makes climbing a challenge.
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Sep 21 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Sep 21 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles 689 AEG
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles   1 Hour   59 Mns   8.47 mph
689 ft AEG      5 Mns Break9 LBS Pack
 no routes
Took the fat bike over to Estrella Foothills Community Park this morning for a SandDay ride on EMRP PederSand loop. I don't know what's going on this summer, but all the trails seem like they're getting much sandier than in the past. That's not bad news for a guy with a fat tire bike. Started from the community park on the sandy 2 track fenceline road over to the EMRP Iron Ranger and then Crossover trail to Pedersen, counter-clockwise around to Homestead, eastward back to Pedersen, Gadsden west to Toothaker, a couple of tire rotations back on Pedersen to Crossover, Iron Ranger, then Park Ave back to Sunrise and the community park. Saw about 10 bikers in the park, far more than usual. Great cloud cover kept the sun off my back. I was a little nervous that I would get rained on, but, no rain.
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Aug 24 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Bagels EMRP, AZ 
Bagels EMRP, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Aug 24 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn10.70 Miles 720 AEG
Biking - Mtn10.70 Miles   1 Hour   49 Mns   8.03 mph
720 ft AEG      29 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Joined the Bagel Bunch (Doug, Danny, Jane, Joseph, Ken, Venjo) for a ride on Estrella Mountain Regional Park trails this morning. Crazy hazy, hot, and humid, and sunny! Started on Rainbow Valley and did a clockwise loop using Dysart, Butterfield, Gadsden, and Coldwater back to Dysart and Rainbow Valley. No drama on this week's ride. Saw 1 trail runner.
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Aug 17 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Pirate Loop, AZ 
EMRP Pirate Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Aug 17 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn13.30 Miles 876 AEG
Biking - Mtn13.30 Miles   2 Hrs   20 Mns   8.77 mph
876 ft AEG      49 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Been a while since I got to ride with the Bagel Bunch. Today 8 of us set off from Estrella Foothills Community Park on Pirate trails Park Ave over to the EMRP Iron Ranger, into the park on Crossover, Pedersen to Toothaker, briefly on Gadsden, north on Coldwater, west on Dysart, a bit on Rainbow Valley, back over to the Pirate trails, Pirate's Cove, Black Jack, Jumpline, and Sunrise back to the Community Park. We had a tire that refused to hold air until we put a tube in it, a broken off pedal, and a big crash on the Jumpline trail. 100% of the starting riders finished today :) Wow, it was humid and hot in the sun. Saw a couple of hikers in EMRP.
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Jul 26 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Desert Rose Loop, AZ 
EMRP Desert Rose Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Jul 26 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn18.40 Miles 1,552 AEG
Biking - Mtn18.40 Miles   2 Hrs   32 Mns   7.56 mph
1,552 ft AEG      6 Mns Break9 LBS Pack
 no routes
Took the fat bike over to EMRP for a ride this morning. Parked at Navy and crossed the street to Horseshoe trail over to the Rodeo Grounds and picked up Butterfield, then clockwise on Gadsden, Desert Rose to the service road to catch the end of the Competitive Track Long Loop, took the road from the Comp Track to the Desert Rose trailhead, up the hill and back to Gadsden, southwest to Coldwater to the Rodeo Grounds and Horseshoe back to the parking area. Sun was hot on my back this morning. Saw a pair of bike riders on Gadsden, 3 hikers on Toothaker at the Rodeo Grounds, and 4 trail runners on Desert Rose. Trails were all in good shape. Super tired when I got back to the van. Entrance station was unmanned again today. MCSO was on patrol when I was pulling in at 7am.
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Jul 19 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Dysart Fly Catcher Loop, AZ 
EMRP Dysart Fly Catcher Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Jul 19 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn12.40 Miles 1,068 AEG
Biking - Mtn12.40 Miles   1 Hour   44 Mns   7.37 mph
1,068 ft AEG      3 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Been busy and haven't ridden since last Sunday. Did a great loop at EMRP this morning. Surprised to find no one at the entry station at 6:40am on a Saturday morning. Lots of vehicles parked at the Horseshoe (NAVY) trailhead parking area. Started on Horseshoe over to Rainbow Valley, Dysart, Butterfield up and over to Gadsden, Fly Catcher, Gadsden, Butterfield, Cold Water down to check out the new RV park, back around to Horseshoe to the parking lot. Saw 11 hikers and 2 bikers.
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May 20 2025
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 Guides 64
 Routes 1,124
 Photos 1,325
 Triplogs 1,437

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
E M R P, AZ 
E M R P, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 20 2025
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,437
Hiking
Hiking
no photosets
Some feelings of oppression on the back nine. The heat and insufficient water does that, but the sandy section of Gadsden is such a buzz kill. Really the only enjoyable parts were the passes along the Rainbow Valley and Toothaker Trails. The rest was just MEH. Probably would be more fun on a mountain bike.
  9 archives
Apr 16 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Trails, AZ 
EMRP Trails, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Apr 16 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn13.90 Miles 1,489 AEG
Biking - Mtn13.90 Miles   3 Hrs      7.51 mph
1,489 ft AEG   1 Hour   9 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
No plan ride this morning and ended up at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Parked the van someplace different taking advantage of the shade under the trees amongst the picnic tables along Casey Abbott drive behind the Nature Center. Started with a climb up Quail, Saddle, and Baseline to Rainbow Valley. Met a fellow who was agreeable to partnering up at the Dysart/Rainbow Valley intersection. So, Dan on his Stumpjumper and me on my Trance continued south on Rainbow Valley up the long, arduous climb to the Rainbow Valley high point and drop down to Toothaker. From there, north on Toothaker, Dysart east to Butterfield, south to Gadsden, Flycatcher, Gadsden, Butterfield north, Toothaker, Rainbow Valley, and finally, back on Quail. Had some good breaks chatting with Dan. It sure was a nice day to make a new friend on the trails.
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Mar 26 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Pedersen Loop, AZ 
EMRP Pedersen Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Mar 26 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn18.20 Miles 1,297 AEG
Biking - Mtn18.20 Miles   2 Hrs   14 Mns   8.60 mph
1,297 ft AEG      7 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Took the fat bike over to EMRP this morning to go deep into the park and hit some of that sweet Pedersen sand. Started from the Navy south parking area under a nice canopy of clouds and hit Horseshoe, Toothaker, Butterfield, Gadsden, Pedersen (clockwise), Toothaker (south), Gadsden (east), Coldwater, Toothaker, and back on Horseshoe. First time going all the way down the Pedersen sand shoot. I was able to keep up great speed, but the washboard nearly ripped my arms off on the full rigid fat bike. Stopped to chat a bit with two pairs of mountain bikers. Had to get around 2 hikers who couldn't hear me calling to them over their ear buds, gosh.
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Mar 16 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Gadsden Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Biking - Mtn avatar Mar 16 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn15.00 Miles 1,172 AEG
Biking - Mtn15.00 Miles   1 Hour   51 Mns   8.18 mph
1,172 ft AEG      1 Min Break8 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
I've ridden parts of Gadsden trail so many times, but never the whole trail, end to end, in one go. Took the fat bike over to EMRP to do just that today. To my surprise, actually found a line of cars waiting to get past the entrance station. The rodeo grounds are closed for the next 2 years so I parked at my next favorite spot, Navy South. Crossed Casey Abbott road and took Horseshoe trail over to Toothaker for a few feet, the clockwise on Buttterfield to Gadsden, Pedersen, Toothaker, and back on Horseshoe to the parking lot. It was a bit windy on Butterfield and Gadsden. I thought going downhill at the sandy south end of Gadsden would be better than my normal up direction, but the hoofed out sand really beat me up. The south end of Toothaker is starting to look back again, it's good from Rainbow Valley north. Saw 2 horseback riders on Butterfield. There's a section of the parking area right at Horseshoe trailhead that's roped off for horse trailer parking. Lots of hikers out on the trails, mostly close to Horseshoe. Saw 2 or 3 bikers.
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Mar 15 2025
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 Guides 64
 Routes 1,124
 Photos 1,325
 Triplogs 1,437

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
E M R P, AZ 
E M R P, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 15 2025
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,437
Hiking
Hiking
no photosets
  2 archives
Mar 08 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Mar 08 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles 797 AEG
Biking - Mtn16.10 Miles   1 Hour   56 Mns   9.66 mph
797 ft AEG      16 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Couldn't believe that it rained all day yesterday! I had to go ride the sandy EMRP trails! Started from Estrella Foothills Community Park and took the two track fenceline trail over to the EMRP Iron Ranger. Crossover trail then clockwise loop on Pedersen, Homestead, Gadsden, Toothaker, Pedersen, Crossover, and Park Ave back to the community park. Saw some hikers and bikers at the beginning and end of the ride, but no one else out in sandland. Warm sun, cool breeze, and rain soaked sand! NO DUST! Yeah! I was so happy!
_____________________
 
Feb 15 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMR Pirate EMRP Loop, AZ 
EMR Pirate EMRP Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Feb 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn18.50 Miles 1,442 AEG
Biking - Mtn18.50 Miles   3 Hrs   32 Mns   7.93 mph
1,442 ft AEG   1 Hour   12 Mns Break9 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Met up with half the Bagel Bunch (Bruce, Jen, James) riders at its namesake, Oasis Bagels at Estrella Parkway and Elliott for a ride through Pirate trail and EMRP trails. Crossed Estrella Parkway and found our way up Elliott to Pirates Cove, Bootlegger, Jolly Roger, Doubloon, Park Ave, EMRP Iron Ranger, Crossover, Pedersen, Gadsden counter clockwise all the way around to Butterfield, to the still open Rodeo Grounds, Rainbow Valley, the Summits, under Estrella Parkway on Tunnel Trail, Cottontail to the Cotton/Estrella roundabout, back to Oasis Bagels. Ran into the other half of the Bagel Bunch (Doug, Ken, Joeseph, Nick) on Gadsden trail. They were doing a loop out of the Comp Track parking area. Saw a few bikers and hikers out on the EMRP trails on this gorgeous day.
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Feb 03 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Horseshoe Rainbow Gadsden Loop, AZ 
EMRP Horseshoe Rainbow Gadsden Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Feb 03 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn13.00 Miles 1,195 AEG
Biking - Mtn13.00 Miles   2 Hrs   7 Mns   7.96 mph
1,195 ft AEG      29 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Out with the Bagel riders (Ken and Johnny) at EMRP this morning. Parked at Horseshoe and followed that trail to Toothaker, Baseline, Rainbow Valley, Dysart, Butterfield, Gadsden, Toothaker, and back on Horseshoe. Broke a spoke that got wrapped up in my rear brake disk. Felt good today. Saw a bunch of hikers, three mountain bikers, and a terrifyingly angry barking dog with a muzzle.
_____________________
 
Jan 27 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Jan 27 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn16.00 Miles 758 AEG
Biking - Mtn16.00 Miles   2 Hrs   10 Mns   8.65 mph
758 ft AEG      19 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
The weather radar on the news this morning indicated rain to be falling over Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Took the fat bike out on my favorite sand trails to investigate. I do believe the area may have received some rain, but not much. Lots of cloud cover. Headwinds in every direction, what's up with that! Had the trails all to myself. Took the sandy fenceline two track from the Estrella Foothills Community Park to the EMRP Iron Ranger, Crossover to Pedersen counter clockwise around to Homestead, down Homestead back to Pedersen over to Gadsden, up to Toothaker, back to Pedersend, Crossover, and Park Ave back to the Community Park.
_____________________
  1 archive
Jan 15 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Lung Burner Loop, AZ 
EMRP Lung Burner Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Jan 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn10.00 Miles 1,199 AEG
Biking - Mtn10.00 Miles   1 Hour   25 Mns   7.50 mph
1,199 ft AEG      5 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Took the fat bike over to EMRP to do some good climbing. Took Rainbow Valley out of the rodeo parking lot over to Toothaker, south to Gadsden, east to Butterfield, north back to the parking lot. Saw one guy on a horse on Coldwater back by the parking lot.
_____________________
 
Jan 07 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Sand Punisher Loop, AZ 
EMRP Sand Punisher Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Jan 07 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn17.90 Miles 964 AEG
Biking - Mtn17.90 Miles   2 Hrs   37 Mns   7.90 mph
964 ft AEG      21 Mns Break9 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
With rain in the forecast, I wanted to get out on the fat bike before the sandy trails got all easy to ride. Started from the Estrella Foothills Community Park just before noon to cool temps, clouds, and blowing winds. Took the sandy two track from the powerline over to the EMRP Iron Ranger. Crossover trail to Pedersen counter clockwise all the way round to Homestead. West on Homestead back to Pedersen to Gadsden, Toothaker, back on Pedersen, Crossover trail to the Iron Ranger. West on the fenceline, then north on two track to the power lines and the Community Park. Saw two hikers at the Crossover/Pedersen intersection on the way in and nothing but ghosts the rest of the ride. Did a little exploration and found the Pedersen homestead from 1931.
_____________________
 
Dec 31 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Big Loop, AZ 
EMRP Big Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Dec 31 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn17.40 Miles 1,188 AEG
Biking - Mtn17.40 Miles   2 Hrs   26 Mns   9.08 mph
1,188 ft AEG      31 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Got together with the Bagel Bunch for a New Year's Eve ride. Started from the Estrella Foothills Community Park and took Park Ave trail to the EMRP Iron Ranger. After signing in we followed the Crossover Trail to Toothaker, Gadsden counter clockwise, Flycatcher, Gadsden, Butterfield out to the Rodeo Grounds. Rainbow Valley to trail 18. Then tunnel under Estrella Parkway, Cottontail, and Corgett Wash back to Estrella Foothills Community Park. Rapid pace with the A teamers. Great way to finish the year. Lots of hikers on Rainbow Valley trail.
_____________________
 
Dec 13 2024
avatar

 Guides 64
 Routes 1,124
 Photos 1,325
 Triplogs 1,437

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Maricopa Trail - Estrellas to PIRPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 13 2024
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,437
Hiking15.21 Miles 1,249 AEG
Hiking15.21 Miles   4 Hrs   46 Mns   3.38 mph
1,249 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
  1 archive
Dec 07 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,265
 Triplogs 1,760

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Nature Center Loop, AZ 
EMRP Nature Center Loop, AZ
 
Biking - Mtn avatar Dec 07 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,760
Biking - Mtn11.00 Miles 961 AEG
Biking - Mtn11.00 Miles   1 Hour   58 Mns   8.15 mph
961 ft AEG      37 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Met up with the Bagel Bunch (Doug, Ken, Johnny) for a ride at Estrella Mountain Regional Park Competitive Track. Unfortunately, there was an event going on at the Comp Loop and it was closed. Plan B, meet at the Nature Center and ride from there. Rode down the street to Horseshoe and took that over to the rodeo grounds. Then Toothaker to Dysart, Butterfield, Gadsden, Flycatcher, Gadsden, Butterfield back to the rodeo grounds. Short stint on Rainbow Valley and Quail trail back to the Nature Center. Lots of event markers on the trails, but we didn't come across a single event participant. Saw a handful of hikers and a couple of mountain bikers out on the trails this morning.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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