To summit it, you'll need to scramble to the top and make your own way for there is no distinct trail. We were kind of surprised to not have seen anyone else after those hunters down below, given how lovely a day we were having and how popular these trails are. Continue ascending the switchbacks on the east flank of Agassiz Peak. The weather was cold enough to put on a light jacket, temperatures about 50 degrees. Named by local residents for Allen Doyle (1850-1920), a guide in the region. The headache was minor, a 1 on the 10 scale, but this is rare for me. We had views of the big south ridge coming off of Doyle Peak, including the bump called Schultz Peak (more on this at the end). The route made long sweeping switchbacks, usually about a half-mile to a mile long each, some shorter. With a run-down cabin (used for sheep back in the day) and another cabin site next to a still-flowing spring, it makes the trail more than just a hike with beautiful views. We shook hands at the Denny's and got moving, me back to Scottsdale. Doyle went to Prescott as a miner and drove cattle from there to Flagstaff in 1881. This is where you will find our smaller animals like river otters and bobcats. Sometimes, we could see the big peaks Agassiz, Fremont and Doyle peeking above the forest. However, if this is so, it has been lost to history. Traversing one of the most incredible aspen groves on the mountain, its also the only place in Arizona where you can be surrounded on all sides by high peaks topping out between 11,000 and 12,000 feet above sea level. The signs all call it Doyle Saddle. [1] The peak, named in honor John C. Frmont (1813-1890), a civil war general who served as the territorial governor of Arizona . But don't let the stats fool you. Ponderosa pines give way to groves of aspen trees, with lupines and penstemons adding pops of color to the forest floor. Learn more about what we're doing to improve the health of ponderosa forests. Knowledge is power. Humphrey's was named after Brig. Agassiz Peak was named in 1867 after the famous Swiss zoologist of Harvard University, Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz (1807-1873), who made a fossil study during the Pacific Railroad survey through the area. There is no camping above the tree line, and if you are going to camp, be sure it is a reasonable distance from the trail. Doyle Saddle another nice destination about a mile down the Weatherford Trail if you turn left at the junction but I think Fremont Saddle has a better view. Time: 9 hours We are conveniently located less than 20 miles from Sedona, in the heart of Northern Arizona's wine country, just minutes from tasting rooms and vineyards. He actually was the mayor of Flagstaff in 1898, but resigned that same year over a disagreement allowing houses of prostitution in the main town area. On summer weekends, the parking lot can fill up before 9 a.m., so plan to arrive before then if at all possible. We carry the finest leathers and ceremonial items for Native American (Navajo and Hopi) ceremonies. This would seem to be in error, since it would make more sense to call the first one Fremont Saddle, then the second one Doyle Saddle. USA. Distance: The signs say 6 miles from the Schultz Tank Trailhead to Doyle Saddle, but some sources that list GPS waypoints suggest the mileage to be closer to 7 miles each way. Possibly, but it was a mistake made from the very beginning. We did not seek out the old cabin structure. We just started walking upwards, wending through the trees and lower brush. I just sat there. The trail skirts the Inner Basin, contouring around the north side of Fremont Peak. Trees obscure most of the panoramic views. The hike down went well. The weather was spectacular. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Post Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on a world-class zip line over Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde Arizona! The things you see on hikes! While the exposed scree slopes require most of your attention, make sure to pause and look to the east for sweeping views of the Inner Basin and Painted Desert beyond. Trip log and photos: http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=25743Part 1: https://youtu.be/254JRSXSsCI Continuing north, you cross a grassy meadow encircled with aspen trees. The Saddle and Peak nomenclature: On the USGS topographical maps, the saddle between Agassiz and Fremont Peaks is called Doyle Saddle, while the saddle between Fremont and Doyle Peaks (where we were today) is called Fremont Saddle. This gave us nice views of the Inner Basin and the I was bushed. Type: Saddle with an elevation of 11,362 feet; Category: landform; It can be a strenuous trail with some parts of steep elevation gains, but the most challenging part of this hike for most hikers is the high altitude, therefore thin air. Some of these hikes are major mountaineering or backpacking endeavors that require skill, proper gear, proper fitness and general experience. Hiking across the slopes of Fremont Peak, we Welcome to Bearizona Wildlife Park. The next couple hundred feet were tough. Rees (1866-1936). I changed into dry clothes and we packed up, watching a bunch of hikers just starting out on the trails, plus some hunters, too. It is also highly recommended to not hike while there are storm warnings in the area as lightning storms can appear quickly and with little warning. We took a break near a trail junction a little under two miles in, then continued on the Weatherford Trail as it bent slightly northeast and headed up Weatherford Canyon. Avalanche tracks streak down the talus slopes, and camping is prohibited along this stretch of trail between Fremont and Doyle saddles.   SOLD APR 14, 2022. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Its best to start early in the morning and keep a close watch for cloud buildup, especially above treeline. We just started walking upwards, wending through the trees and lower brush. Apparently, what we call Doyle Peak was known as Schultz Peak, while a small ridge emanating west off of Fremont Peak was known as Doyle Ridge or something like that. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 An official website of the Minimum (2) riders. For details, see the Humphreys Peak Trail description. The park consists of a 3 mile drive thru and Fort Bearizona. Fremont Peak is a peak in the San Francisco Peaks, a mountain range that takes up a part of the Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona. Officially named the Nate Avery Trail, this loop is a wide, mellow, and well-graded gravel path leading around the park's native grasslands. Manage Settings This is bow season, or close to it. the Kachina Trail. refi payment: $5,794/mo Refinance your loan Home value Owner tools Home details Neighborhood details Tap into your home's equity Zillow makes it simple to explore your cash-out refinance options. Arizona In particular, Fremont Saddle and Doyle Saddle appear to be transposed. It is a footpath in some areas; even today's most modern off-road vehicles wouldn't make it very far! We began the hike in at the Schultz Tank trailhead with a temperature of 48, This fascinating journey will take you into the heart of Hopi country. Office: (928) 527-3600 March 17, 2015 - NAZ Today reports the death of a Flagstaff resident while skiing near Doyle Saddle over the weekend. Having climbed nearly 3,000 feet in elevation, you reach Fremont Saddle around 6.8 miles. Schedule: Varies, check out the calendar, What you will see on this tour: Even though it gets up to 11,460 feet into the sky, it has just 660 feet of prominence. The trees are vertical, so it's still kind of steep where I am at We convened for another small rest at the tree in the saddle before starting the long slog out. Southwest. Doyle Saddle, AZ Latitude: 35.3227864 Longitude: -111.6718279 County: Coconino Area: Humphreys Peak Elevation: 3463 meters - 11362 feet. connected to the .gov website. We had views of the big south ridge coming off of Doyle Peak, including the bump called Schultz Peak (more on this at the end). We were near the top. From the brown trail sign, the trail heads north along the faint two-track road and climbs a gradual yet steady grade. The city of Flagstaff, Arizona juxtaposes so many lifestyles. This route climbs 2,772 ft with a max elevation of 10,797 ft then descends -2,768 ft. Route Supporters 641 views 2 years ago Hiked up Weatherford Trail to Doyle Saddle (Flagstaff, AZ). All rights reserved. The signs all call it Doyle Saddle. It is a steady climb upward, but as you hike just imagine having a Side Car at the top of Doyle Saddle in the roaring 20's. We shook hands at the Denny's and got moving, me back to Scottsdale. However, if this is so, it has been lost to history. (See our website for age and height restrictions), We are a fun tour experience with discovery on the operation of e-bikes for transportation and recreational purposes and you will learn about mobility-assisted options for your outdoor interests. Advocate for the lands you love to explore! Get Kachina Peaks Wilderness can be contacted at . Kachina Peaks Wilderness is a 18,616-acre wilderness area about 6 miles north of Flagstaff within the Coconino National Forest in the U.S. state of Arizona. We arrived onto the saddle about 9:30, and took a break underneath the shade of a single tree. The weather was cold enough to put on a light jacket, temperatures about 50 degrees. Conditions (physical and legal) change over time! The things you see on hikes! Another view of the peak June, July, and August are the best times to see wildflowers, while late September to mid-October is the window for the aspens to put on their autumn show. If you are looking to explore more on the bike paths then this tour is for you! For those who don't live close by, I can understand the desire to hike both and not have to come back for two separate hikes. Going up to 11,460 feet that quickly was probably enough to put me back on my heels. It seems 1972 was a good year for that genre. The ArizonaMountains Gazetteer I was actually battling a low-grade headache. Additionally, Abineau Canyon and Rees Canyon seem to be in the incorrect logical locations. Turn right onto this wide and well-graded dirt road (its used by the City of Flagstaff to access the pumphouses youll eventually encounter.) Photo: Deborah Lee Soltesz, Coconino National Forest. This trail has something for everyone and is a great expression of Flagstaff. It was loose and slippery, but nothing impossible. Doyle Saddle is a physical feature (gap) in Coconino County. It is approximately 9 miles long round-trip with about three false summits, which can be disheartening after all the effort you've already made. Because these peak share a common saddle and require a good hike just to get to this saddle, many people hike both peaks the same day, obviously to get more bang for the buck. Earlier this summer, Matthias and I had hiked nearby Fremont Peak, the bigger bump to the west of Doyle Peak. And Find horses for sale or adoption! Difficulty: Strenuous/Difficult. After a couple hours, we were gaining onto the main saddle that connects Fremont Peak and Doyle Peak. From the top of the towers, you can see majestic red rocks, the San Francisco peaks, and the whole breathtaking Verde Valley including Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome. We were now within the canyons and gaining onto the main ridges coming off of the mountain. This is a popular area, so expect weekend crowds in summer and absolute insanity in the fall. Somehow, the peaks may have been misnamed on the maps. For the last quarter of a mile, the trail aggressively switchbacks up a steep slope to its terminus at the Weatherford Trail, nearly 11,000 feet above sea level. Edit Sights to See Schultz Tank Add a Report This is bow season, or close to it. Old sources say "follow a mule path", built presumably to supply a small cabin that once held observatory equipment way back in the olden days. We arrived onto the saddle about 9:30, and took a break underneath the shade of a single tree. Fremont Peak is to the west, and Doyle Peak is to the east. The only hint of a date I could find on this was from Summitpost, where some speculate it dates from the early 1960s, based on the vehicle itself. I decided I was just doing a scouting day at that . This is interesting. Veit supposedly spent many years looking for where they buried their treasure. This is bow season, or close to it. Sometimes, we could see the big peaks Agassiz, Fremont and Doyle peeking above the forest. Fremont Peak up ahead, Doyle to the right, partially hidden by the trees Even though it gets up to 11,460 feet into the sky, it has just 660 feet of prominence. Flagstaff Climbing Center is located in historic downtown Flagstaff. Fatmans Loop Trail. The trail follows an old road constructed during the 1920s that got as high as the ridge, apparently. Photo: George Jozens, Coconino National Forest. When hikers take these shortcuts over and over again, vegetation is destroyed over time. Home to Charles Ludwig Veit, who received rights to the 160-acre parcel in 1891, this historical Flagstaff trail began as an area that was his and his family's home for over 2 decades. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I just sat there. Weather in Doyle Saddle, Arizona, USA Time/General Weather Time Zone DST Changes Sun & Moon Weather Today Weather Hourly 14 Day Forecast Yesterday/Past Weather Climate (Averages) Now 36 F Sunny. In a few broad switchbacks, the trail climbs for .75 miles under a dense aspen canopy. Mapcarta, the open map. Doyle support Lumber, trains, education, and even camels have been a part of this rich history. The highlight was spotting a beautiful bull elk, with massive antlers covered in velvet. We would tramp through heavily-shaded forest then quickly break out into the open, amid sloping grassy meadows. I had not felt tempratures this cold in months. We waited until the monsoon had started to dissipate. but that the peaks are not! Therefore I paid a visit to a local running store named Run Flagstaff to ask the staff there for some suggestions. We were about 650 feet below Doyle Peak's summit. Doyle Peak is the state's 4th-highest mountain assuming a minimum rule of 300 feet of prominence. Choose from a self-guided hunt with our clues, or let us plan and manage it for you complete with guides, awards, and more! Guides are available to hire for outdoor climbing trips. The sun was high and bright, but the air temperatures stayed pleasantly cool. In discussing the construction of the Weatherford Road (aka San Francisco Mountain Boulevard) in the 1920s, the Weatherford Hotel website includes a quote that suggests an understanding that Fremont Saddle was between Fremont and Agassiz Peaks: There's an archived article on The Arizona Republic from April 3, 1921 on the Weatherford Road that includes a map of the proposed road: ( dead link removed ), and the accompanying article seems to suggest (by its description) that Fremont Saddle was understood to be between (current) Fremont and Doyle Peaks, while Doyle Saddle was between Agassiz and Freemont: I have a large collection of various types of maps and have noted this on various maps and editions of the same map. Kachina Peaks Wilderness at Doyle Saddle, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.   Tour departs from Sedona and Flagstaff. More. Date: September 17, 2016 This trail connects to the Inner Basin Trail and Humphrey's Trail if you want an even longer adventure with miles. Earlier this summer, Matthias and I had hiked nearby Fremont Peak, the bigger bump to the west of Doyle Peak. This is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Being an old road, the pitch is always lenient, never more than 8% grade, often much less than that. It was intended to continue on to Humphrey's saddle, but the Great Depression hit and that idea was abandoned. Big Bear Gift shop, over 8,000 sq feet of treasures and also housing Arizonas largest model train, a historically accurate replica of the railroad from Williams depot to the grand canyon. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The big rocks often were not solid, just sitting on the loose scree. After a couple hours, we were gaining onto the main saddle that connects Fremont Peak and Doyle Peak. It is in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness on the Coconino National Forest. on official, secure websites. Colorado River Smooth Water Float Trip from Flagstaff, Hopi Cultural and Archaeological Day Trip from Flagstaff, Out Of Africa Wildlife Park - Camp Verde, AZ, Guided Outdoor Rock Climbing & Indoor Climbing Gym, Full-Day Inner Canyon River Tour to the Bottom of Grand Canyon, Colorado River Smooth Water Float Trip from Flagstaff , Snowshoeing & Yurts at Arizona Nordic Village , Fun Flagstaff History Segway, Bike or Walking Tour, Comprehensive Grand Canyon Tour from Flagstaff, Grand Canyon Sightseeing Tour from Flagstaff, Small-Group Grand Canyon Day Tour from Flagstaff, Enjoy a desert sightseeing trip and scenic float on the Colorado River, Travel through the Navajo Nation and the Painted Desert, Shop for Native American art at the historic Cameron Trading Post, See the "Balancing Rocks" and the towering walls of Glen Canyon, Stop for lunch at a riverside beach and search for local petroglyphs, Discover the haunted history of Flagstaff, Arizona, Opt to explore the local streets on foot, by bike, or via Segway, Headset provided, so you can hear your guide clearly, Choose from multiple times to best suit your schedule, Explore Flagstaff by bike, Segway, or on foot, Plenty of stops to admire the sights and take photos, Receive tips on what to see and do in Flagstaff from a local guide, Choice of tour departure times throughout the day, Explore the Inner Canyon in air-conditioned comfort with a guide, Skip the crowds at the Grand Canyons parking lots and the lines at the visitor center, Ideal for travelers of all ages and physical conditions, Round-trip transport from Flagstaff and Williams hotels included. 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