Formed in the interior of the Earth, the Sierra Estrella got pushed above the surface by tectonic plate activity. Schist is the predominant rock type. The mountains are dry, rugged, and incredibly desolate. Though next door to Phoenix, hikers seldom visit the Sierra Estrella, “Little Star of the Desert” except the northern foothills in Estrella Mountain Regional Park, and the Quartz Peak Trail. A gentle introduction on the Rainbow Valley Loop could whet your appetite for high adventure!

So this wasn’t listed as an exploratory hike. But it sure turned into one when Ted discovered they had re-routed the Rainbow Valley Trail in several places. The trail, which was on the park map but impossible to find in 1991, now bypasses the ridge by 1408 and makes a gentle end run, adding a half mile to the distance but avoiding the steep grade southwest of the ridge. Last time we took a group picture at the top (see report). This time we were a quarter mile away, on a much easier trail.

“20% chance of rain,” said today’s weather forecast for Avondale. But no one knows what that “20%” means. So we brought rain gear. Never had to use it. The sun was shining and a few light, puffy clouds added some interest to the sky. Last night’s rain had cleared the air, making it a crisp, perfect day for hiking.

We started from the Rodeo Arena in high spirits, glad to get moving so we could stay warm.

Part of the old trail was visible as we went west by the ridge extending from hill 1596. The breeze cooled us. “No one will get heat exhaustion today,” Ted observed.

Climbing from Rainbow Valley to the pass by 1633.

The crossing of the last wash had been moved downstream. A new trail took us northwest, then southwest, then southeast to make an end run around the pass.

Down from the pass is an arroyo which we’ll cross twice. On the first crossing, the Rainbow Valley Trail is faintly visible on the other side. But the view of the trail vanishes when you get down in the arroyo, so last time we had to guess where to climb out to line up with the trail.

In a major improvement, the trail now makes its crossing farther downstream. Soon we are up on the slopes, climbing toward the pass between hills 1633 and 1684. We stop for a snack break in a wash, then continue the climb.

Recent rains have left the air remarkably clear. For the first time on this trail, we can see the Eagletail Mountains to the west and the tall buildings of Phoenix to the east.

We top out at the pass by hill 1684, then begin a steep, rocky descent to the valley where we will meet the Toothaker Trail. It used to be called the Spur Trail, but many of the park trails were renamed when they were improved a few years ago.

A left turn on the Toothaker Trail takes us north on our way back to the Rodeo Arena. The trail parallels the arroyo and ultimately crosses it just before the junction with the Dysart Trail. From here it’s a pleasant walk through desert gardens back to the trailhead.

Clouds, which had been remarkably scarce during our hike, start rolling in. Arizona needs the rain for spring flowers.