Trails to Tales • Hidden Valley Regional Park April 23rd

Join Sierra Arts Literary Community for our newest program:  Trails to Tales is a chance to explore beautiful local landscapes with fellow writers, guided through the trails with discussions on scene, works of literature, and journal prompts to provoke inspiration and (hopefully) a means of getting unstuck in your current writing projects. 

Trails to Tales • Hidden Valley Regional Park

“I didn’t feel sad or happy. I didn’t feel proud or ashamed. I only felt that in spite of all the things I’d done wrong, in getting myself here, I’d done right.”

― Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Wild takes place in two environments: the Pacific Crest Trail and the author’s head (reviewing her past experiences). What made this book incredibly successful was its ability to flip from the backstory of her trauma (like death and drug addiction) to her present experiences hiking along the trail. She was able to blend so seamlessly that the story remained grounded and easy to follow.

Based on Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, we’ll use prompts to inspire writing centered on both present and past, getting more comfortable blending the two through the use of environmental cues. Does the scent of sage remind your character of their childhood? What scene pops into their head while walking through the brush? Join us for a chance to dive deeper into a character’s life that you’ve been writing about or invent a new character on trail –– either way, come with an open mind. The only rule is that there is no erasing!

During April, two hikes each day will be offered. See below for times & details. 

The Highland Loop (Hike Two) has places with narrowed tread and steep drop offs. Loose rocks should be expected along both routes. Wild horses might be sighted along both trails.

Hike One

Time: 10:30-12:30

Location: Hidden Valley Inner Loop

Difficulty Level: Easy

Distance: 1 mile

Elevation gain: 80 feet

Trail Type: Compact dirt with some rocks

Amenities: Restrooms, benches

Hike Two

Time: 1-3pm

Location: Hidden Valley Highland Loop

Difficulty Level: Challenging

Distance: 2.3 mi

Elevation Gain: 330 ft

Trail Type: Compact dirt & rocks

Amenities: Year-round restrooms