Winter Hiking

It has been my custom to designate certain physical activities as seasonal.  Specifically, swimming is an indoor activity when it's snowy and cold.  My winter/swimming season runs from November through April.  Hiking and biking are outdoor activities when the sky is blue, the temps are moderate, and the ground is dry.  Summer/hiking and biking season is May through October. 

As winters go, Flagstaff is pretty easy to take.  Yes, we get plenty of snow; we've got 14" predicted over the next couple of days.  Ron regularly uses his snow blower.  Yes, we have cloudy days.  Yes, we have wind and cold temperatures.  But it's never the slog it is some places.  Within a few days, we'll have blue skies and sun; temperatures and spirits will rise. 

Yes, Flagstaff winters are the real deal!

Sue and I have had several highly satisfying summer hiking seasons, and this year she was reluctant to give it up when my designated swimming season arrived in November.  With virtually no resistance, I agreed to continue some hiking as weather permitted.  Donna, who winters in Flagstaff, arrived, and we became a hiking threesome.  We enjoyed several hikes in the forest near where Sue lives before weather shut us down.  But we had a back-up plan.  Yep, guess where our Back Yard is?   A mere 45 minutes drive south of us is Sedona! 

Our most recent hike took us deep into Red Rock country, and spectacularly reminded why our Back Yard is a world destination.

The trail we hiked was Brins Mesa Trail, recommended by a friend of Sue's.  None of us (including Gypsy) had ever been on it.  It was a beauty from the first step.  Speaking for itself:

We sat down more than once to soak it all in.

Even Gypsy was stunned by the view!

Yes, during this hike, I fully committed to Winter hiking.  I was awestruck, and want to continue to take advantage of the privilege of this sensational Back Yard.