Vic Garcia's Blog

runyan canyon

Since being out in Los Angeles, I’ve been taking advantage of the amazing terrain. I’ve been making it a point to go hiking at least twice a week. There are plenty of trails out here to keep you busy, but at this point I’m beginning to frequent my favorite ones. The information is all online, I usually just search for hiking trails near Los Angeles, and there’s so many within a few miles.

I don’t think one needs much preparation for this type of hiking, just some water, good shoes and a positive attitude. I’ll bring some lunch with me and once at the trail I’ll try to create some sort of walking stick/weapon in case I get attacked by mountain lions, which hasn’t happened yet!! Once I start walking, I very much enjoy the disconnection from the city life and usually absorb as much as possible from my surroundings, i.e. the rock formations, the colors of the dirt, the contrast between the dense woods and the clear blue skies of California, etc… Everything inspires music.

When I get to the summit of the trail; usually the point where I’ll begin to head back, I’ll relax for a while and eat my lunch and take some pics with my iPhone. Most of these trails take you up so high that you get a view of the Pacific ocean or a bird’s eye view of the city. The descend is always easier than the climb and that’s when I really start to pay close attention to the details of nature. I mean you’re walking through an ecosystem that’s completely alive, this resonates inside me. I always regret not having a guitar, but who wants to climb carrying a guitar case? Oh wow, imagine having an upright piano atop a mountain and just wailing, or playing Elton John’s Circle of Life.

Well, those who have access to great hiking trails should take advantage of this. I’ve incorporated ideas gathered on these trails into my songs and even my playing. opting for the more organic aspects of music to seep through the unconscious. Let me know if ya’ll have had similar experiences and/or just tell me about fun trails you folks have encountered.