My friend Deborah and I had already walked two miles around Arroyo Seko and we were beginning to worry that we might have missed it.
It lies somewhere along this road. “Whenever I run here, it kind of shows up,” I told her. And when I began to lose faith, I first realized I was going to clean up.
“It’s there!” I said.
I was hiking with my dear friend, a Times Reporter who covered my faith, spirituality and joy. (Yes, we both do cool jobs!) We saw in Pasadena that Jewish Angelenos, who observes one of the holiest days of the year in Judaism, Yom Kipur, serves as a place to reflect in their natural spaces, rather than attending services at the synagogue.
Yom Kipuru begins on Wednesday evening, the final day of 10 days of adoration, including Rosh Hashana. Yom Kippur is a time of deep reflection and tone sin. You have taken your own full accounting for the past year beyond what you want to see and believe. You excavate the harm you caused before you seek forgiveness, from the person you have hurt, from God, and from yourself.
“It’s a tough job,” said Deborah, a Jew. “But having a truly honest accounting is a beautiful tradition and a valuable way to spend the day. Religion doesn’t always ask for it. But one day a year, you unearth it all.
Some Jews can have this experience in synagogues, but not everyone can. Because they are not part of the community and don’t feel comfortable where they are, or because traditional services to where they are financially feel too much of a financial burden.
“You can do that job without being a synagogue yet (and) you can still do that job. For many people, the outdoors are a space that supports the job,” Deborah said.
Two years ago, Deborah was about LA Jews who didn’t go to the synagogue for Yom Kipur.
Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and chief executive of the Jewish Federation’s Los Angeles, told Deborah that he was not surprised that about half of the Jewish adults in LA chose to use Yom Kipur outside of synagogues.
They “were up the mountains, riding bikes on the beach, meditating on the waves, meeting friends and come up with creative rituals about how to let go of what’s holding them back,” he said.
Deborah instructed me to consider what I wanted to leave behind. On that day, our practice was inspired by a Jewish ceremony, usually held between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur (or Tashrik).
I knew my answer right away. As a trans-American, political rhetoric made me feel unsafe in my own body, in my community, in this country.
Following Deborah’s instructions, I began to pick up the rock and imagine the fear of flowing through it. I slowly began to walk the path. I knew my fear would not go away with just one trip through the maze, but I imagined a mass of rock falling from the mountains as I walked. At least I was able to remove it.
I said, “This body is mine. In it, I am safe.” I arrived in the middle and threw my stones into a pile of rocks.
As we slowly left the maze, our feet shattered over the dirt and gravel. I really felt like I had left some of my heartache.
Deborah and I hope that the three hikes listed below provide an opportunity for both Jewish and non-Jewish hikers to participate in practices that make the most sense to them. And for those observing Yom Kipur!
1.
distance: Depending on the route, 0.5 to 2.3 miles
The elevation was obtained: Less than 200 feet
Difficulty: easy
Are dogs allowed? yes
Accessible alternatives: See trail notes. The east side of this trail is wide, flat, with few rocks, but the west side where the maze is located is rocky. Consider it if you want a more accessible maze.
2.
distance: 5.4 miles and back
The elevation was obtained: Approximately 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Are dogs allowed? no
Accessible alternatives: Marvin Browd
Named after hosts of California State Park’s official campsites, the Ray Miller Backbone Trail is a 5.4-mile route through coastal sage scrubs that contain native plants such as Laurel Smack, coastal pears and black sage. The lizards fly across the road with darts and butterflies, giving you a stunning view of the coastline. This is the perfect time to look back on the past year.
After that we head to the beach for the Tashlich ceremony. There, natural elements such as leaves, bark and sand fragments are symbolically driven out into the water. (Note: The concept of “sin” in Judaism from Christianity and what is taught in the dominant culture.)
“It’s a really accessible ritual that’s Jewish, but it works for everyone. Symbolicity is universal and it’s about kicking out your sins,” Deborah said. “You do not traditionally do that at Yom Kipur because you provide services, but if you’re out naturally, doing it at Yom Kipur is great.”
3.
distance: 3.8 miles away
The elevation was obtained: Approximately 1,700 feet
Difficulty: intense
Are dogs allowed? yes
Accessible alternatives: does not offer the same level of difficulty, but is located in geographically similar regions of the county.
Verdugo Mountains’ important link trails are one of the most difficult hikes in LA County. There is limited shade and there is no water source on the trail, so if you choose to tackle it, pack it with extra water.
That said, the trail offers hikers an incredible physical challenge that doesn’t require a long drive into the mountains to reach.
Deborah and I wanted to offer challenging trail options. Because, as she said, “The experience of being in a synagogue with Yom Kipper is a marathon and you’re pushing yourself.”
For those looking to try Yom Kippur, this trail offers a vast view of LA County. At the top is the Willyman Memorial Chair, a lounger built to commemorate the trail’s favorite movie grip and hikers. It is an incredible meditation spot.
“At the end of Yom Kipur, you are exhausted, you are finished, your head is killing you, you are not eating, you are not drinking anything,” Deborah said. “I don’t do hikes like I have no food or water, but I can see how it can give the same feeling. ‘I’m pretty, I left a lot on the trail'” The hike is a ritual.
Due to its rugged, sandy soil, and some degree of erosion, the trail is easy to navigate with trekking poles, especially along the way. It’s easy to make the wrong turn as others have created shortcuts off the trail that could lead to dangerous drop-offs. Before you go, download the maps of your favorite outdoor apps.
Three things to do
1. Join the Newhall Hiking Book Club
Placerita Canyon Nature Center will host books and hikes in the nature area on Sundays from 9am to 11am. The group discusses “Calif. Assembling California” by John McPhee as participants hike along the Canyon Trail. Details of the event are shared regularly in the Book Club. To register, please email [email protected].
2. Walking through Glendale and stretching out on a bike
Walk Bike Glendale will host a community gathering on Sundays from 9am to 1pm at Verdugo Park (1621 Cañada Blvd.). Children can ride bikes through the skill course, while adults can learn ride lessons. There is also a bicycle repair site and maintenance classes. Other activities include yoga, garbage pickup and 5K runs. For more information, see Group Details.
3. Yank invasion plants of the marina dking
Ballona Wetlands Land Trust will need volunteers from 9am to 11am on Saturdays to yank the invasive weeds of Area A (13748 Fiji Way) of Marina del Rey. Participants must bring water and wear nearby shoes and sunscreen. Pets are not permitted. For more information, see Group Details.
Must see
Times staff writer Haley Branson Potts is taking part in a quest to see all California lighthouses. In the process she learned a lot and our dear Wilder is fortunate that she is willing to share that knowledge with us! Haley wrote about visiting 14 of the state lighthouses. She gives an overview of nuts and bolts. How to see them, how to get stamps with American Lighthouse Association passport when closed. She also injects every entry with the fascinating local lore of each site. “In 1917, keeper William Austin and his wife moved,” Haley writes of Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro. “They had eight kids. My favorite part of the tour was the second-floor bedroom where two teenage daughters, Thelma and Juanita, slid out the window, ran off across the roof and crept up to go dancing.” I’d like to add some of these lighthouses to my list of places to visit in California!
Happy Adventure,
Poetry
Is it free tonight? Have you been thinking about volunteering your time in our mountains? Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy will be volunteering at Taco Social (1627 Colorado Blvd.) from 5 to 7pm. You can get questions about volunteering with new friends and answered organizations you will definitely make and enjoy free tacos! You can register. Thank you for being a good person.
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