Estrella Mountain Regional Park offers amazing views of the wild and rugged Sierra Estrella, even though it’s a distant perspective from the northern foothills.

We start from the west side of Rodeo Arena on hazy but very pleasant winter morning. Recent rains have refreshed the landscape. Sunlight glistens through the leaves and grass, promising new life in the desert.

Hobby horse races us down the trail.

The park service has done an excellent job of adding signs to the trails, which were hard to find when Ted first hiked here in 1991.

Soon we reach a sign that says "RB", marking our junction with the Rainbow Valley Trail. We turn right and head for the hills.

The first climb takes us up to a scenic rock formation with a more distant view of the Rock Knob. This is an excellent picnic area, so everyone stops for a snack break.

Our route takes us over the pass between hills 1633 and 1684, then gently downhill beside a wash. Soon we’re in a wide valley with a housing development off to the west.

A side trail branches off to the east. We continue walking north.

Soon our trail dips down into the big wash we crossed on our way out. Signs have been added to mark the route in this area.

The steepest climb begins here. Our trail goes northeast, right up the side of the ridge. There are no switchbacks until we’re almost to the top. It’s uphill, steep, and covered with loose rocks. Halfway up we have to step aside for some horseback riders who are gingerly making their way down.

“This is why I did the loop clockwise,” Ted advises, “so we could take this grade going uphill.” Huffing and puffing, we finally top out on the ridge.

The trail is steep on the other side, with switchbacks and much better footing. We meet other hikers, including a group led by a park ranger. One more climb takes us to the north end of the ridge. We turn east and soon arrive back at the trailhead.