We just went for an hour hike at a nearby state park. It was great to get out and enjoy the foliage!

What short hikes do you enjoy?

Around the rim of South Lake Tahoe is a beautiful short hike. We used to park down the highway at a park and hike along the rim, far above the lake then down to the beach and Vikingsholm Castle, which sets back in a little inlet. There is a small island that rises quite high in the middle of the inlet and the lady that had the castle built also had a gazebo built on top of the cone shaped island, Fanette Island. She called it her tea house. In the summers, when the Native Americans visited her, she would have her butler and maid roll her and a tea set up with baked goods out to the island and meet with the tribal people up there. The castle is stunningly beautiful, not too large, but has several bedrooms. It takes about an hour and a half to hike down into the the area and it is the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. There are little water falls and streams here and there along the way to stop and rest at. No one lives in the castle now, but caretakers live on the property and tours of the castle, along with the history are given during the summer.

Vikingsholm Castle

Above is a link to wikipedia where you can see a beautiful picture of the castle. Click on the small picture to the right to see the larger image. It is breathtaking. Click on "Fanette Island" in the article to see the tea house island, click on the small picture to see a larger image. It is so pretty!

There are so many wonderful fall aspen hikes to enjoy in Flagstaff. It's getting cold up there, tho - brrrrr!

I am back down in the Verde Valley and enjoying walking along the Verde River.

The low desert in Arizona has so many wonderful short hikes and I am excited to explore them this winter.

Phyllis - that hike to Vikingsholm Castle sounds like perfection. Added to my list of "will do eventually"!

Cheers,
Megan

Hi Jill,
Love hiking Arizona in spring - but I'm sure low desert in winter is stunning as well. We're into winter in the Cdn Rockies, but a fave short hike is Grassi Lakes near Canmore, AB. Historic stone steps, crystalline blue-green pocket lakes, Devonian limestone reef turned rock (popular with climbers) and First Nation pictographs. Short, easy and stunning - what more could you ask for?

Cheers,
Megan

I am now in Sedona and REALLY excited to do every single hike here. I can't wait to post photos of how amazing this place is. It's like living in a national park.

Lucky you Jill! Now we'll all have a Sedona expert to quiz for the best waterfall, wildflower, swimming hole, pictograph, petroglyph, sunset, sunrise... hike!

Cheers,
M.