Yet another beautiful day for a hike on the San Francisco Peaks. I only hiked maybe 1/3 of its length, but I was VERY impressed with the Weatherford Trail. When I parked my car at Schultz Tank, I was trying to decide between the Little Bear or the Kachina. I flipped a coin and it landed heads, therefore I headed up the Weatherford toward the Kachina Trail. When I reached the junction I looked west and saw the grove of Aspens I passed through few weeks ago. Then I looked north and saw a grove of Aspens I had never set foot in. My sense of adventure kicked in and I continued up the Weatherford. If I had another quart of water and a lunch I would have gone all the way to Doyle Saddle but ended up stopping at about 9,800 feet. In that probably mile and a half after the Kachina junction, the Weatherford is fantastic! Much diversity with old growth pines, Aspen groves, open meadows, views of Mount Elden and beyond plus deep woods similar to Abineau Canyon. I can't wait to hike this to Doyle Saddle so I can feel certain that it rates a 5. But I hadn't even reached the best part! About where the register is, I spied a side trail shooting off down Weatherford Canyon toward Aspen Spring. Cosmic Ray shows Aspen Spring on the Weatherford page of his book, but not this side trail. Turns out this is the "Weatherford Canyon Loop" section of the trail. Also turns out to be the most beautiful stretch of forest on the Peaks! I'm planning on heading back up here tomorrow to find Aspen Spring so I can submit a description for "Weatherford Canyon Loop". I wish I could give it a 7 because it rocks harder than a Rolling Stones concert at a cinder quarry. I suppose I could post this on the loop page, but this set has a few pics from 9,800 feet so it will stay on the Weatherford page.