Phoenix, Arizona (May 7, 2025) I must have missed the memo—or maybe I wasn’t cc’d—the one that would have warned me about the road closure inside Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Less than a mile from the trailhead for the Rainbow Valley South Loop Trail, two large signs barricaded my path, bolding declaring ROAD CLOSED. And that could have been the end of my morning hike, but not one to be bested by a pair of construction signs, I opened the AllTrails app and quickly found an alternative nearby: Gila Trail.
In and of itself, the Gila Trail wasn’t much—just a half mile loop over level terrain. But from the map, I noticed that it intersected with Baseline Trail, a loop that encircles a low-lying peak in the mountains' foothills. Adding that stretch turned my morning hike into a 2.5-mile trek with a modest elevation gain of about 300 feet, which I completed in a little over an hour.
It wasn’t a strenuous hike—though I probably burned off most of last night’s pasta—but the scenery was breathtaking. And along the way, I picked up some fascinating facts from trail signs on the Gila Trail.
In and of itself, the Gila Trail wasn’t much—just a half mile loop over level terrain. But from the map, I noticed that it intersected with Baseline Trail, a loop that encircles a low-lying peak in the mountains' foothills. Adding that stretch turned my morning hike into a 2.5-mile trek with a modest elevation gain of about 300 feet, which I completed in a little over an hour.
It wasn’t a strenuous hike—though I probably burned off most of last night’s pasta—but the scenery was breathtaking. And along the way, I picked up some fascinating facts from trail signs on the Gila Trail.
I never ceased to be amazed by the grandeur of the desert landscape. Its rugged beauty and every-changing colors captivate me every time.
What I Learned on the Trail
There were four information boards, and each offered insights into the park’s history and landscape:
- What is a Desert (the title of the first sign): The word “desert” comes from the Latin desertus, meaning “abandoned.” But despite its name, the desert is anything but empty—it teems with diverse plant and animal life, thriving against the odds.
- History of Sierra Estrella: The Hohokam (500AD to 1450AD) were the first known inhabitants of Sierra Estrella—Star Mountains in English—while the Spanish missionary Father Eusebio Kino is believed to have been the first European to lay eyes on this range in 1691.
- Desert Dwellers: Long before humans arrived, animals adapted to the harsh conditions of the Sonoran Desert to survive—little water or rainfall, intense sunlight, high temperatures, and sparse vegetation. Current residents include coyotes, desert cottontails, spiny lizards, and rock squirrels—each uniquely suited to the landscape.
- Gila River Riparian Area: This sign featured an undated black-and-white photo that offered a surprising glimpse—it’s hard to imagine now—of a time when this area was lush with cottonwoods, willows, bulrushes, cattails, fish, and waterfowl.
Etched below the image was this quote from John Muir, a Scottish-born naturalist: When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
It’s a powerful sentiment that underscores the interconnectedness of nature—a truth perhaps more relevant now than ever.
And that’s a wrap on my morning hike along Gila and Baseline Trails. Until next time, happy trails to you!
It’s a powerful sentiment that underscores the interconnectedness of nature—a truth perhaps more relevant now than ever.
And that’s a wrap on my morning hike along Gila and Baseline Trails. Until next time, happy trails to you!