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Rainbow Valley Day Hike Sierra Estrella January 12, 2008 by Ted Tenny
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 Temeritous Trailblazers tame the Sierra Estrella. |
 The 1801' Rock Knob is our landmark on a hazy day. |
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. |
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Our trail takes us southwest as we parallel the ridge, passing hills
1536 and 1408 as we go in and out of gullies. We cross a major wash,
then walk beside it. The Rock Knob, 1801', a mile away on our left, is
our constant landmark.
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. |
 Around the rugged ridge the ragged rascals ran. |
 We made it to the top! Time for a snack break. |
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. |
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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. |
 Winter rains refresh the landscape. |
 The white boulders formed from molten quartz underground. |
“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, but 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. |
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Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona For comments regarding this site contact . updated January 12, 2008 |