The annual Happy Holidays Hike in Lithia Park was a Hit again in 2025. Even though we didn't have a dusting of snow in the Park, we still had a gathering of men and women of "good cheer".

We met by the Band Shell, and hiking friends kept arriving until we had 20 hikers for this happy hike.

We had friends returning from injuries and illness, who wanted to end 2025 back on the trail and feeling good about being part of the AHG in 2026.

We did a 4-mile loop of the Park, including the familiar routes and the less-traveled parts.

The hike in Lithia Park reminds us what a special and beautiful park we have in Ashland. It's a botanical garden with some unique species, brought in from all over the world.

It's a tranquil place, where you can remove yourself from hectic and troubling daily life.

As we started up the steps from Upper Ashland Creek towards the swimming reservoir, the rain began to fall. We got our group photo along the shoreline, then started back down on the road.

On the way back down, we went by the now vacant Pickleball courts, and took some time visiting the Japanese Garden, now with a second generation of Koi fish.