Doyle Peak via Weatherford Trail in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Doyle Peak via Weatherford Trail Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 2 14.8 miles 3400 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Sep 20, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Doyle Peak via Weatherford Trail GPX Track

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Doyle Peak is one of the sub-peaks of Humphreys Peak within the San Francisco range north of Flagstaff, Arizona. Since I'd already gotten Agassiz and Fremont via the Inner Basin Trail, I wanted to check out the Weatherford Trail which I'd never hiked before. I knew going into the hike that it would be a long one in terms of distance, but the long and twisting switchbacks meant the hike would be a really light grade and therefore more of a nice forest walk than a difficult hike. The Weatherford Trail was originally constructed as a road to access the high peaks back in the day, but the project was abandoned (thankfully) and now the roadbed remains, creating this trail. Accessing the trailhead is fine for any vehicle.

There's not much to note about the very long approach except that it's pretty and the morning sun was really nice. The forest is sparse much of the time and I got nice views to the south. There are also delightful meadows as the trail ascends. You can cut a few of the road switchbacks if you're so inclined to shorten the hike a bit, but I really can't advocate for that. Eventually the trail made its way to Doyle Saddle, where the views became really cool, overlooking the Inner Basin and the taller peaks, including of course Humphreys Peak.

From Doyle Saddle the route got a bit more steep. Hints of a social trail, though not really, led east to the summit of Doyle Peak. The terrain was loose and had some light Class 2. I also found myself slipping a bunch due to the gravelly volcanic nature of the slope. Along the way I passed a little cabin that seems to get at least a little use, though I'm not sure for what. I marked it on my attached map.

You can return the way you came, or get in touch with me for a much nicer descent with light bushwhacking. I left this option off my attached map because it's very different than the quality and personality of the standard Weatherford Trail. A hint is that this other option heads over Schultz Peak. 😉

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Doyle Peak
11460 ft
660 rise

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Starting along the Weatherford Trail.
Starting along the Weatherford Trail.
Nice forest walk with some meadows.
Nice forest walk with some meadows.
Image 2 from gallery
Continuing along the southern slopes of the San Francisco Peaks.
Continuing along the southern slopes of the San Francisco Peaks.
View back through a meadow as I start to get a little higher.
View back through a meadow as I start to get a little higher.
Entering the Kachina Peaks Wilderness.
Entering the Kachina Peaks Wilderness.
Image 6 from gallery
The Weatherford Trail starts to ascend into switchbacks.
The Weatherford Trail starts to ascend into switchbacks.
View back.
View back.
Along the switchbacks, a view toward Schultz Peak to the east.
Along the switchbacks, a view toward Schultz Peak to the east.
View back as I ascend.
View back as I ascend.
Still some forested sections, but there are nice views for the majority of the hike up the switchbacks.
Still some forested sections, but there are nice views for the majority of the hike up the switchbacks.
Image 12 from gallery
Fremont Peak comes into view.
Fremont Peak comes into view.
A switchback along the Weatherford Trail.
A switchback along the Weatherford Trail.
Making lots of progress.
Making lots of progress.
Image 16 from gallery
Image 17 from gallery
Image 18 from gallery
Image 19 from gallery
Doyle Peak comes into view.
Doyle Peak comes into view.
Image 21 from gallery
Image 22 from gallery
Approaching Doyle Saddle. Fremont Peak visible on the left.
Approaching Doyle Saddle. Fremont Peak visible on the left.
Doyle Saddle. Fremont Peak left, Agassiz Peak center, Humphreys Peak right.
Doyle Saddle. Fremont Peak left, Agassiz Peak center, Humphreys Peak right.
Doyle Saddle, view up toward Doyle Peak. There's not really enough of a social trail to recommend trying to stick to it. Just head up.
Doyle Saddle, view up toward Doyle Peak. There's not really enough of a social trail to recommend trying to stick to it. Just head up.
Loose and steep terrain, Class 2.
Loose and steep terrain, Class 2.
View back down to Doyle Saddle, center. Fremont Peak visible up top.
View back down to Doyle Saddle, center. Fremont Peak visible up top.
More steep stuff.
More steep stuff.
Higher up along the ascent.
Higher up along the ascent.
The terrain mellows out and stays pretty flat for the last few hundred feet to Doyle Peak's summit.
The terrain mellows out and stays pretty flat for the last few hundred feet to Doyle Peak's summit.
Just before the summit of Doyle Peak a few at the other Kachina Peaks. Fremont Peak left, Agassiz Peak center, Humphreys Peak right.
Just before the summit of Doyle Peak a few at the other Kachina Peaks. Fremont Peak left, Agassiz Peak center, Humphreys Peak right.
Flattish section to the summit of Doyle Peak.
Flattish section to the summit of Doyle Peak.
A short side-trip to check out a cabin.
A short side-trip to check out a cabin.
Inside the cabin.
Inside the cabin.
Summit of Doyle Peak, close-up toward Humphreys.
Summit of Doyle Peak, close-up toward Humphreys.
Doyle Peak summit, view toward Fremont Peak left, Agassiz Peak center, Humphreys Peak right.
Doyle Peak summit, view toward Fremont Peak left, Agassiz Peak center, Humphreys Peak right.
If you want to reach this spot, get in touch. It's a lively little meadow.
If you want to reach this spot, get in touch. It's a lively little meadow.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!