Cinder Block Tree Emerald Bay State Park California

As you reach the bottom on Vikingsholm Trail and it begins to level off, there is a quite unusual sight — a cinder block tree to your left.

tree at Emerald Bay state park filled with cinder blocks

Cinder block tree at Emerald Bay CA

I’m not sure exactly what the purpose of this would be, but assume that it was a way to protect trees from further damage and rotting many years ago. When I visited, Emerald Bay visitors center was still closed for the winter season so there were no park rangers around I could ask. If anyone knows for sure why this was done, I would love to hear the explanation.

Vikingsholm Trail Emerald Bay State Park California

If you have the time, you definitely want to take the 1 mile hike down Vikingsholm Trail at Emerald Bay state park to the the water’s edge. While there won’t be any issues getting down the trail, you will eventually have to hike back up and the grade is fairly steep. You definitely need to be in decent shape to do it, but the rewards are well worth it.

As you begin to hike down Vikingsholm Trail, you will quickly get closer to Emerald Bay and see some wonderful views of Fannette Island:

View of Fannette Island in Emerald Bay from the Vikingsholm trail

The different colors within Emerald Bay will also begin to show themselves:

The wonderful colors of Emerald Bay

The view of Emerald Bay isn’t the only thing to keep your eyes glued to on your way down. There are a number of birds and small animals to see including a beautiful blue jay that is quite common:

Blue jay seen on the Vikingsholm trail to Emerald Bay

When you reach the bottom of Vikingsholm Trail, you will be next to the rock cliffs that you were moments before standing upon and you will quickly realize how far you descended in that mile walk down.

View of the rocks toward the bottom of Vikingsholm trail looking up at the view point

Once at the bottom of Vikingsholm Trail, you will be at the visitors center. From there you have the entire beach at Emerald Bay to explore as well as some other hikes to take if you are up to it.