Rainbow Valley Trail - Estrella Mtn RP • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Rainbow Dysart Toothaker Loop, AZ

Hiking		Dec 03 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Hiking	6.70 Miles	870 AEG

Hiking	6.70 Miles	2 Hrs 34 Mns		2.73 mph
	870 ft AEG	7 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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Led a hike for the Estrella Mountain Warriors hiking group this morning at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Only one taker, Christine, joined me for a counter clockwise loop from the Nature Center on Quail, Rainbow Valley, Dysart, Toothaker, Connector to Baseline, Baseline, Saddle back down to Quail, and Quail to the Nature Center.

I asked at the ranger station upon entry why they were writing down annual pass numbers instead of just typing them into the computer. The attendant told me the park system migrated the pass system to a new platform which reassigned all pass holders a new ID. So, they have to write down your old number, then look it up and type in your new number. She wrote my new number on my pass, so it will save them a step on future visits. And, while speaking of Maricopa County annual passes, the county will vote Dec 10th on whether to raise the annual fee from $85 to $120. The new rate will take effect on Jan 1st.

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Nov 05 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Rainbow Dysart Baseline Loop, AZ

Hiking		Nov 05 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Hiking	7.60 Miles	901 AEG

Hiking	7.60 Miles	2 Hrs 59 Mns		2.73 mph
	901 ft AEG	12 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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Another great hike on EMRP trails with the Warriors (Nina, Jennifer) this morning. Started at the Nature Center just as the November Beaver Supermoon was setting in the west, we did a counter clockwise loop on Quail, Rainbow Valley, Dysart, Toothaker, Horseshoe, Baseline, and Saddle trails. Saw one biker, a trail runner, and a few other hikers.

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Oct 29 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Rainbow Valley Toothaker Loop, AZ

Hiking		Oct 29 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Hiking	8.40 Miles	1,190 AEG

Hiking	8.40 Miles	3 Hrs 38 Mns		2.56 mph
	1,190 ft AEG	21 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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Great hike with the Estrella Warriors (Nina, Jennifer) on EMRP trails this morning. Surprise to see some folks in the entrance station this morning, new trainees, checking passes and collecting money. We started from the Nature Center for a windy hike up Quail trail, counter clockwise on Rainbow Valley to Toothaker, north back to Rainbow Valley to Baseline for a bit to Saddle back to the Nature Center. Saw a couple of other hikers and one biker.

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Oct 04 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP RainToothGadFly Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Oct 04 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	13.40 Miles	1,361 AEG

Biking - Mtn	13.40 Miles	1 Hour 54 Mns		7.24 mph
	1,361 ft AEG	3 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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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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Aug 24 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Bagels EMRP, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Aug 24 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	10.70 Miles	720 AEG

Biking - Mtn	10.70 Miles	1 Hour 49 Mns		8.03 mph
	720 ft AEG	29 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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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

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Pirate Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Aug 17 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	13.30 Miles	876 AEG

Biking - Mtn	13.30 Miles	2 Hrs 20 Mns		8.77 mph
	876 ft AEG	49 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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8 linked trail guides

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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 19 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Dysart Fly Catcher Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Jul 19 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	12.40 Miles	1,068 AEG

Biking - Mtn	12.40 Miles	1 Hour 44 Mns		7.37 mph
	1,068 ft AEG	3 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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6 linked trail guides

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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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Jun 26 2025

mt98dew

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,405

56 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 26 2025
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,405

Hiking	8.63 Miles	1,168 AEG

Hiking	8.63 Miles	2 Hrs 14 Mns	3.86 mph
	1,168 ft AEG

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Early morning hike in the Estrellas. It’s been far too long since I’ve done all of the Rainbow. I usually stop at yellow

and don’t frequently get to enjoy the “colors” further back on the trail. (Usually my loops with Rainbow Valley stop with Dysart).

Got to the park at 5am, just as the gates were opening. Because of their ongoing construction at the Coldwater/Rainbow Valley TH’s I parked at the Horseshoe TH. This construction makes almost all trails, interior trails, adding about 2 miles to this particular lasso. I took Horseshoe in and then followed the Toothacher to where it connects to the backend of the Rainbow Trail. There is a small saddle you need to climb, one of the more natural remaining trail segments in the park. Always enjoy reaching the saddle and looking out towards the White Tanks. Today, the air quality was good and the views were pretty nice. Looks like there are quite a few more homes since my last visit five years ago. Continued on the RV until I met up with the Toothacher and then retraced my steps back to the TH.

Nice lasso. Temps in the 70’s and 80’s for the hike. No hikers and minimal wildlife on the trail, mainly quail and lizards. On the drive out saw a roadrunner with a small rodent in its beak. Beep! Beep!

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May 20 2025

pseudalpine

Guides 71
Routes 1,165
Photos 1,423
Triplogs 1,510

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

E M R P, AZ

Hiking		May 20 2025
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,510

Hiking

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Gila Loop Trail - Estrella Mtn RP

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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

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Trails, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Apr 16 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	13.90 Miles	1,489 AEG

Biking - Mtn	13.90 Miles	3 Hrs		7.51 mph
	1,489 ft AEG	1 Hour 9 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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9 linked trail guides

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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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Apr 15 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Trails, AZ

Hiking		Apr 15 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Hiking	4.10 Miles	573 AEG

Hiking	4.10 Miles	1 Hour 53 Mns		2.67 mph
	573 ft AEG	21 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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Joined the Estrella Trailblazers (Fred, Nina, Carol, Kim) for a great little loop in EMRP this morning. Saw a couple of bikers and some hikers, one of which seemed to be in a grumpy mood. Too bad for her!

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Feb 15 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMR Pirate EMRP Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Feb 15 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	18.50 Miles	1,442 AEG

Biking - Mtn	18.50 Miles	3 Hrs 32 Mns		7.93 mph
	1,442 ft AEG	1 Hour 12 Mns Break	9 LBS Pack

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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

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Horseshoe Rainbow Gadsden Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Feb 03 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	13.00 Miles	1,195 AEG

Biking - Mtn	13.00 Miles	2 Hrs 7 Mns		7.96 mph
	1,195 ft AEG	29 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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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.

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Jan 23 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Toothaker Dysart Rainbow Vallley Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jan 23 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Hiking	4.90 Miles	524 AEG

Hiking	4.90 Miles	2 Hrs 4 Mns		2.65 mph
	524 ft AEG	13 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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First hike with the Estrella Trailblazers group this morning. Met up at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park Rodeo Grounds and the 7 of us were out on the trail by 7:30. Clockwise loop on Toothaker, Dysart, and Rainbow Valley. Found a lone glove on Rainbow Valley and left it at the trailhead. Hopefully it finds it's partner. Saw one couple out on Rainbow. Super fun group to hike with!

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Jan 15 2025

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Lung Burner Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Jan 15 2025
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	10.00 Miles	1,199 AEG

Biking - Mtn	10.00 Miles	1 Hour 25 Mns		7.50 mph
	1,199 ft AEG	5 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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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.

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Dec 31 2024

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Big Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Dec 31 2024
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	17.40 Miles	1,188 AEG

Biking - Mtn	17.40 Miles	2 Hrs 26 Mns		9.08 mph
	1,188 ft AEG	31 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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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.

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Dec 07 2024

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Nature Center Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Dec 07 2024
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	11.00 Miles	961 AEG

Biking - Mtn	11.00 Miles	1 Hour 58 Mns		8.15 mph
	961 ft AEG	37 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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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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Oct 03 2024

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Rainbow Flycatcher Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Oct 03 2024
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	11.00 Miles	1,084 AEG

Biking - Mtn	11.00 Miles	1 Hour 40 Mns		7.25 mph
	1,084 ft AEG	9 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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Felt like doing some MTB climbing this morning and EMRP has plenty of that available. Did a anti-clockwise loop starting from the old rodeo grounds. Rainbow Valley, Toothaker, Gadsden, Flycatcher, Gadsden, Butterfield, and then the short connector back to the parking lot. Saw a group of 3 hikers on Rainbow Valley. Nice 73 degree start to the ride.

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Jul 21 2024

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Bagel EMRP Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		Jul 21 2024
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	16.30 Miles	955 AEG

Biking - Mtn	16.30 Miles	2 Hrs 33 Mns		8.81 mph
	955 ft AEG	42 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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8 linked trail guides

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Met up with the Bagel Bunch (Doug, Jenn, Joseph, Venjo) for a loop through Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Saw some bikers and hikers out on the park trails. Steamy with no cloud cover this morning.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

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May 31 2024

Routes 191
Photos 7,335
Triplogs 1,789

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

EMRP Rainbow Toothaker Coldwater Loop, AZ

Biking - Mtn		May 31 2024
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,789

Biking - Mtn	9.10 Miles	938 AEG

Biking - Mtn	9.10 Miles	1 Hour 32 Mns		7.09 mph
	938 ft AEG	15 Mns Break	8 LBS Pack

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