Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Rainbow Valley Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
December 31, 2019
|
| |
Trip Report :
February 9, 2013
|
| |
Trip Report :
January 12, 2008
|
| |
Trip Report :
January 19, 2003
|
| |
Trip Report :
April 8, 2000
|
| where |
Estrella Mountain Regional Park |
| the hike |
Hike over the Rainbow (Valley, that is) on this scenic loop in
the northern reaches of the wild and spectacular Sierra Estrella!
We’ll start on the Rainbow Valley Trail, swing by the Rock
Knob, and return on the Toothaker Trail through the beautiful desolation
of the Sierra Estrella foothills.
The hike is on trail, but there are steep ups and downs over rocky
terrain; prickly trailside vegetation, no water or shade.
This hike is described in
Footloose from Phoenix,
by Ted Tenny, pages 39-45.
|
| distance |
6 miles |
| EC |
+-600' elevation change |
| time |
4-5 hours |
| elevations |
1017' (arroyo) to 1352' (pass near hill 1684) |
| starting at |
| Rodeo Arena |
33° 22.229' N, 112° 22.351' W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
100% — Rainbow Valley Trail, Toothaker Trail |
| rating |
"C"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
$6 for parking at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.
When car-pooling, pay your share the cost of gas.
The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
|
| weather |
Avondale |
| meet |
8:00 AM in west Phoenix on the west side of the
Fry’s Mercado parking lot at the northeast corner of
43rd. Ave. and McDowell, just north of I-10, exit 140.
|
| drive |
| • |
Go west on I-10 to the Estrella Parkway, exit 126. |
| • |
Take the Estrella Parkway exit,
turn left, go south across the river to Vineyard Ave.
|
| • |
Turn left and go east on Vineyard Ave. to the Estrella Mountain
Regional Park entrance on the south side (see
map).
|
| • |
Go in the main entrance to the park and pay your $6 entrance fee. |
| • |
Follow the signs east and south to the Rodeo Arena.
Park on the west side.
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