username
X
password
register
for free!
help
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Rainbow Valley Trail - Estrella Mtn RP - 21 members in 161 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 9  Next
161 triplogs
login for filter options
Aug 24 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Bagels EMRP, AZ 
Bagels EMRP, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Aug 24 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking10.70 Miles 720 AEG
Mtn Biking10.70 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.
_____________________
 
Aug 17 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Pirate Loop, AZ 
EMRP Pirate Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Aug 17 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking13.30 Miles 876 AEG
Mtn Biking13.30 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.
_____________________
 
Jul 19 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Dysart Fly Catcher Loop, AZ 
EMRP Dysart Fly Catcher Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Jul 19 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking12.40 Miles 1,068 AEG
Mtn Biking12.40 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.
_____________________
 
Jun 26 2025
avatar

 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Rainbow Valley Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 26 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking8.63 Miles 1,168 AEG
Hiking8.63 Miles   2 Hrs   14 Mns   3.86 mph
1,168 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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 :lol: 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! :lol:
_____________________
 
May 20 2025
avatar

 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
E M R P, AZ 
E M R P, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 20 2025
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,290
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 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Trails, AZ 
EMRP Trails, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Apr 16 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking13.90 Miles 1,489 AEG
Mtn Biking13.90 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.
_____________________
 
Apr 15 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Trails, AZ 
EMRP Trails, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Hiking4.10 Miles 573 AEG
Hiking4.10 Miles   1 Hour   53 Mns   2.67 mph
573 ft AEG      21 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
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!
_____________________
 
Feb 15 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMR Pirate EMRP Loop, AZ 
EMR Pirate EMRP Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Feb 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking18.50 Miles 1,442 AEG
Mtn Biking18.50 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.
_____________________
 
Feb 03 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Horseshoe Rainbow Gadsden Loop, AZ 
EMRP Horseshoe Rainbow Gadsden Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Feb 03 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking13.00 Miles 1,195 AEG
Mtn Biking13.00 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 23 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Toothaker Dysart Rainbow Vallley Loop, AZ 
Toothaker Dysart Rainbow Vallley Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 23 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Hiking4.90 Miles 524 AEG
Hiking4.90 Miles   2 Hrs   4 Mns   2.65 mph
524 ft AEG      13 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
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!
_____________________
 
Jan 15 2025
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Lung Burner Loop, AZ 
EMRP Lung Burner Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Jan 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking10.00 Miles 1,199 AEG
Mtn Biking10.00 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.
_____________________
 
Dec 31 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Big Loop, AZ 
EMRP Big Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Dec 31 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking17.40 Miles 1,188 AEG
Mtn Biking17.40 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 07 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Nature Center Loop, AZ 
EMRP Nature Center Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Dec 07 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking11.00 Miles 961 AEG
Mtn Biking11.00 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.
_____________________
 
Oct 03 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Flycatcher Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Flycatcher Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Oct 03 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking11.00 Miles 1,084 AEG
Mtn Biking11.00 Miles   1 Hour   40 Mns   7.25 mph
1,084 ft AEG      9 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
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.
_____________________
 
Jul 21 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Bagel EMRP Loop, AZ 
Bagel EMRP Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Jul 21 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking16.30 Miles 955 AEG
Mtn Biking16.30 Miles   2 Hrs   33 Mns   8.81 mph
955 ft AEG      42 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
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.
_____________________
 
May 31 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Toothaker Coldwater Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Toothaker Coldwater Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar May 31 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking9.10 Miles 938 AEG
Mtn Biking9.10 Miles   1 Hour   32 Mns   7.09 mph
938 ft AEG      15 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Picked up my neighbor Craig this morning for a ride in Estrella Mountain Regional Park. We got delayed by a car fire on 143rd Ave and Indian Springs, just on the other side of the barbed wire fence from the interior park road. Called 911 and waited for emergency crews to arrive. Continued to the Rodeo grounds to start our ride on Rainbow Valley, to Toothaker south to Gadsden, east to Coldwater, and then north back to the Rodeo grounds. Lots of climbing this morning. Saw a decent sized group of hikers on Rainbow Valley and then a pair on Coldwater. Stopped in the Nature Center on the way out and saw that their tarantula recently moulted, pretty cool.
_____________________
 
Apr 06 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Tooth Loop, AZ 
EMRP Tooth Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Apr 06 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking13.30 Miles 1,448 AEG
Mtn Biking13.30 Miles   1 Hour   50 Mns   7.53 mph
1,448 ft AEG      4 Mns Break7 LBS Pack
 no routes
I was moving pretty slow this morning, but once I munched down on some tasty Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, I felt a strong urge to do some climbing. Drove over to Estrella Mountain Regional Park Rodeo Grounds and jumped on Rainbow Valley trail. Took that all the way to Toothaker, then south to Gadsden for just a bit, north on the freshly graded Coldwater trail, east on Dysart, south on Butterfield back to Gadsden, east to Flycatcher, back on Gadsden to Butterfield back to the Rodeo Grounds. Saw bunches of hikers, and the cutest father/young son out on bikes cheering me on :)
_____________________
 
Mar 19 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Flycatcher Loop, AZ 
EMRP Flycatcher Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Mar 19 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking17.70 Miles 1,129 AEG
Mtn Biking17.70 Miles   2 Hrs      9.23 mph
1,129 ft AEG      5 Mns Break7 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Got a lunch ride invite from Bagel biker Jane this morning that I couldn't pass up. Met her at Estrella Foothills Bike Park and took Park Ave over to EMRP. Then Crossover to Pedersen, Toothaker, Gadsden, Flycatcher, Gadsden, Rainbow Valley, and made our way to Corgett Wash. Did my best to keep pace as Jane is super fast. Don't think we're going to see the big wildflower bloom of the past 2 years. I hope to be wrong.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
 
Feb 21 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Rainbow Toothaker Loop, AZ 
EMRP Rainbow Toothaker Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Feb 21 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking7.10 Miles 620 AEG
Mtn Biking7.10 Miles      54 Mns   8.04 mph
620 ft AEG      1 Min Break10 LBS Pack
 no routes
Busy morning. Managed to get out for a ride. Went to Estrella Mountain Regional Park to use my new Maricopa County Parks Pass with a super long number. I suppose that it is only just one digit longer than last year, but like the ranger said at the entrance station, now it's like a phone number. Parked in the Navy lot and took Horseshoe to Rainbow Valley counter clockwise, Dysart, Toothaker, and back on Horseshoe to complete the lollipop, delicious.
_____________________
 
Jan 16 2024
avatar

 Routes 189
 Photos 7,236
 Triplogs 1,740

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Big Question Loop, AZ 
EMRP Big Question Loop, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Jan 16 2024
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,740
Mtn Biking11.10 Miles 1,175 AEG
Mtn Biking11.10 Miles   1 Hour   36 Mns   7.24 mph
1,175 ft AEG      4 Mns Break7 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Lunch ride at EMRP today. Rainbow Valley hills have been cleaned up a bit with a bunch of new water bars. First time riding southbound on Coldwater, the rocks weren't as bad as I was expecting. Saw loads of hikers, 6 bikers, and a pair of horseback riders.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.66 mph
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 9  Next

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.

helpcommentissue

end of page marker