EASY - MODERATE HIKES Being an old road, the pitch is always lenient, never more than 8% grade, often much less than that. This hike primary route can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. The barnyard, which is our petting zoo and fun for all ages.   I had not felt tempratures this cold in months. by ourselves. We soon came to a rockpile and register. From The Saddle that connects Fremont and Doyle hike north up the mountain. These two peaks are a little tougher than they may appear, with just enough brush, rocks, loose scree and other barriers to slow one down. The slope steepened and was often loose, with sand-like consistency. 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. We would tramp through heavily-shaded forest then quickly break out into the open, amid sloping grassy meadows. Deep in the Inner Basin Trails signature aspen grove. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. Please remember to follow Leave No Trace ethics when hiking as they say, leave only footprints, take only pictures. Our public lands take a lot of use and abuse from our recreation, and its the responsibility of all of us to help keep our trails pristine for years to come. Doyle is the easiest mountain to do in the Kachina Wilderness. Veit used to help haul water via oxen to the early Flagstaff village and would stop to deliver water to any homes or buildings that would have a stick by the side of the road with a white flag on it. Passing a bend to the right, the road enters a grand meadow in the heart of the Inner Basin. Also, please do not cut the switchbacks on the trail. Add your voice . Fremont Saddle is often misnamed on maps as Doyle Saddle, so be sure to navigate with the accurate Emmitt Barks Flagstaff Trails map to avoid confusion. Main Maps, Driving Directions & Local Area Information Popular Local Resources Hotels Near Doyle Saddle Nearby Cities Nearby Neighborhoods Nearby Features Doyle Saddle - Location Map + More. It follows the remnants of an old toll road that was intended to reach the top of the San Francisco Peaks. For years, it has been noted that there are some confusing labels on USGS Maps of the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. Gen. Andrew Atkinson Humphrey in 1872, however, he never actually saw the mountain in his lifetime. It is arguably the highest-elevation vehicle in the state, and I am sure there's a great story of how it got there. Continue ascending the switchbacks on the east flank of Agassiz Peak. Settle in to see one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world transform under an expansive, colorful sky. We parked at the Schultz Tank Trailhead, elevation 8,024 feet, arriving at 7:30 a.m.. We were about 650 feet below Doyle Peak's summit. We arrived onto the saddle about 9:30, and took a break underneath the shade of a single tree. But don't let the stats fool you. It took us a little over 8 hours to cover the 17 miles. The next couple hundred feet were tough.   Conditions: Clear and magnificent This is interesting. the lowest starting temperature we had experienced in a long time. Originally established in 1898 as the "San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve, the area was officially designated a National Forest by Pres. We met up with three guys in camouflage, scouting for elk. Mt. As always, I thank Matthias for his company and his selection of esoteric progressive rock bands I have never heard of, to listen to while driving. I was properly hydrated, but I had not been higher than 2,000 feet since June. The views were great the entire way. The headache was minor, a 1 on the 10 scale, but this is rare for me. We would tramp through heavily-shaded forest then quickly break out into the open, amid sloping grassy meadows. The observatory was long since been removed, the cabin is usually a wreck, and there was no hint whatsoever of any trail. Over the years, we have continued to grow and now see a lot . North America. This is bow season, or close to it. Southwest. Click to find out more! To see our availability or book a reservation, check out www.flagstaffextreme.com or give us a call at 888-259-0125! Must be the law up here. 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. We could not tell which one is definitively the highest, and the trees are just thick enough to block line-of-sight views. It is certainly possible to do both the same day. Its construction was started in 1920 and completed in 1926. Date: September 17, 2016 The Weatherford Trail starts on the north side of the Schultz Tank Trailhead parking area. Hike Fremont and Doyle together? Youll likely hear the whirl of the pump as you pass by. After 1.2 miles, turn right at the signed turnoff for Lockett Meadow to continue on FR 552. And remember, the top of Doyle Saddle is designated wilderness, so don't take anything from there, pick up your trash, and no camping.   The lenient grades allowed us to move fast with few breaks. We were about 650 feet below Doyle Peak's summit. Humphreys Peak was named by G. K. Gilbert in 1873 after his superior officer Brig. The lenient grades allowed us to move fast with few breaks. The observatory was long since been removed, the cabin is usually a wreck, and there was no hint whatsoever of any trail. Its construction was started in 1920 and completed in 1926. As you slog uphill for the next mile, the forest slowly starts to open up. Learn more about what we're doing to improve the health of ponderosa forests. Elden, was named for Charles H. Schulz (the original spelling), a sheep man who lived in the pass. This trail starts just north of Shultz Tank (a 6-mile drive north of town) and makes its way up the mountains offering amazing views, which are said to extend over 50 miles to Oak Creek Canyon. In 1973, the city of Flagstaff reopened the park as a 2-mile loop trail for use by hikers, runners, and bicyclists. Get Kachina Wetlands Preserve reviews, rating, hours, phone number, directions and more. The route made long sweeping switchbacks, usually about a half-mile to a mile long each, some shorter. A headset is provided so In fall, this area is so popular that the Forest Service is forced to regulate the number of cars allowed up the final stretch to Lockett Meadow. Looking down at Mount Elden Because the nearest station and this geographic feature may . We convened for another small rest at the tree in the saddle before starting the long slog out. I guessed it another half-mile each way from the saddle to the top and back. This trail may not be as human-history filled as the other trail, but the mountain itself has a fascinating history and is a mainstay to Flagstaff making it a historical trail in its own right. And more interestingly this map which corrects the spelling of Reese, but also shows that Doyle and Fremont Saddle are where they have always have been indicated: all historical documents point to the fact that they are in fact marked exactly where they are supposed to be. The jury is split some say ponderosa pines smell like vanilla. After a half mile, approach a T-intersection and turn right to continue on FR 552 toward Lockett Meadow. Must be the law up here. I had not felt tempratures this cold in months. We were back to the trailhead at 4:30 p.m., a 9-hour hike. The actual locations may have been adjusted or relocated to improve the action. We were hiking by 7:35 a.m.. He was born near Plato, Missouri on September 30, 1937 to Oren and Mildred Stottlemyre. What this meant was longer switchbacks to eat up the elevation gain. The road gets rough in places at this point, but a sedan can safely make it with slow, careful driving. Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course is an elevated obstacle course set in the tall Ponderosa Pines. Earlier this summer, Matthias and I had hiked nearby Fremont Peak, the bigger bump to the west of Doyle Peak. 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. 1. 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. And it is blatantly described as being between Agassiz and Fremont Peaks. He played cat-and-mouse with us for about ten minutes. Around 3.3 miles, the gradual incline turns into sweeping switchbacks as you continue climbing up towards Fremont Saddle. There is another story that Mt. I drank some water, but didn't eat much. Where the drive thru ends Fort Bearizona begins. I enjoyed the break, but wanted to be moving sooner than later. The views were great the entire way. directions Driving Directions file_download GPX/KML 22.3 mi Distance 11 hrs 22 min Time terrain 3,957 ft Elev Gain Overview This is a difficult loop trail to Fremont Saddle in Coconino National Forest.   The top is a long flat summit with its high point towards the northeastern end. The sun was high and bright, but the air temperatures stayed pleasantly cool. We dropped the packs here and looked around, but both of us felt that points to the north and east may be higher, so we walked over and stepped on these other possible contending highspots. The next couple hundred feet were tough. 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. If you want to do both, build in the time necessary, especially if it's during the monsoon when storms often build by 11 a.m.. Just my two cents. Doyle Peak, and Doyle Saddle, which connects Agassiz and Fremont Peaks, were named in 1933 by Dr. Harold S. Colton, founder of the Museum of Northern Arizona, for Allen Doyle (1850-1920), a cattleman and guide. Sedona, Flagstaff, the San Francisco Peaks, and the Grand . The first couple hundred feet went well, then things got steep. Not only do they have great stories behind them, but they're visually stunning as well. We met up with three guys in camouflage, scouting for elk. We were back to the trailhead at 4:30 p.m., a 9-hour hike. It seems 1972 was a good year for that genre. Stay in a yurt or cabin at the AZ Nordic Village, a premier outdoor recreation destination just north of Flagstaff. A geographer by education, hes worked as a park ranger with the National Park Service, a tour guide at the Grand Canyon South Rim, and a docent at Frank Lloyd Wrights Taliesin West. Manage Settings 520.621.2352 | 1955 East 6th Street, P.O. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 18 min to complete. We soon came to a rockpile and register. We began the hike in at the Schultz Tank trailhead with a temperature of 48, Having climbed nearly 3,000 feet in elevation, you reach Fremont Saddle around 6.8 miles. 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. Copyright 2023 HTL, Inc. All Rights Reserved.   I slipped more than once. Just below Doyle Saddle, we saw a vehicle downslope, on its side, wedged between two trees.   It was intended to continue on to Humphrey's saddle, but the Great Depression hit and that idea was abandoned. The signs all call it Doyle Saddle. 2023 Mountain Tripper. We camped our first night just past the Saddle at about 10,800 feet. The big rocks often were not solid, just sitting on the loose scree. He would scamper about 50 feet up ahead then watch us. Flagstaff is chock-full of amazing trails to hike, mountain bike or run with your dog. This is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Free printable topographic map of Fremont Saddle (aka Doyle Saddle) in Coconino County, AZ including photos, elevation & GPS coordinates. The weather was spectacular. The name was submitted to the Board on Geographic Names (BGN) by Harold S. Colton (US-T121). The next couple hundred feet were tough. Heads up, it starts at 9,200 feet and switchbacks its way up to the summit. After 2.9 miles, bear right into Lockett Meadow Campground. Here is a true "Summit Post", on the summit of Humphreys Peak. This trail goes by Aspen Tank, Fremont Saddle, Doyle Saddle, and Schultz Tank. We carry the finest leathers and ceremonial items for Native American (Navajo and Hopi) ceremonies. Reaching 12,633 feet at its highest point, on a clear day you can see the Grand Canyon from the top to the north, and Oak Creek Canyon to the south. It is a bump on the southeast ridge of the San Francisco Peaks, north of Flagstaff. More support for the Doyle Saddle being b/t Agassiz and Fremont Peaks, below. Kachina Wetlands Preserve at 2263 Utility Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86005. What we know today as Schultz Peak, a 10,000-foot bump on the ridge south of Doyle Peak, had no name. more. From the intersection of Rte 66 and N. Humphreys Street in downtown Flagstaff, head north on N. Humphreys Street for about 0.6 mile. We were hiking by 7:35 a.m.. We followed the Weatherford Trail north across a very-gently sloping plain of light forest and open grassy meadows. 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Fremont Peak, the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, but this is rare for.. A reservation, check out www.flagstaffextreme.com or give us a little over 8 hours to the. Names ( BGN ) by Harold S. Colton ( US-T121 ) we could not tell which one is the! And Fremont Peaks T-intersection and turn right to continue on FR 552 higher than 2,000 feet since June longer... Today as Schultz Peak, a sheep man who lived in the Wilderness... About ten minutes hikers, runners, and the trees are just thick to...