We hope you were able to make it to
celebrate with the Haiku Contest winners on the Haiku Hike: Sunday, May 3, 12:30 to 2 PM
We met at the King Court entrance to the Hillside Natural Area
Contest winners read their haiku at various points in the hike (see winning entries below).
Many joined the optional longer hike after the readings
See the Hillside Festival page for more details!
Watch this space for information on the
2027 Haiku Contest
when it's announced!
celebrate with the Haiku Contest winners on the Haiku Hike: Sunday, May 3, 12:30 to 2 PM
We met at the King Court entrance to the Hillside Natural Area
Contest winners read their haiku at various points in the hike (see winning entries below).
Many joined the optional longer hike after the readings
See the Hillside Festival page for more details!
Watch this space for information on the
2027 Haiku Contest
when it's announced!
Winning entries 2026
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CHILDREN
FIRST PLACE
Clara L. (age 11) El Cerrito snow Pink and white and red blossoms falling on my head SECOND PLACE
Beatrice P. (age 12) As the sun goes down Bunches of poppies close up And birds stop their songs. THIRD PLACE
Maya C. (age 11) Small arachnid walks Across a lattice of silk Opportunity waits HONORABLE MENTION
Violet Z. (age 11) Deers, birds, quails, owls, trees chirping howling, hooves beating Leaves rustling in wind |
YOUTH
FIRST PLACE
Sydney D. (age 17) Twisting limbs reach out The arms of the ancient oaks Grasp shards of starlight SECOND PLACE
Skylar O. (age 15) hanging fog lingers touching the tops of the trees whispering softly THIRD PLACE
Isaac G. (age 17) Under the cold sun Not a single noise out here The air motionless HONORABLE MENTION
Malini S. (age 13) There’s a pattering Lizards cutting through the path My brown eyes go wide |
ADULT
FIRST PLACE
Sydny Fujita We mourn the blossoms’ Loss as the sunrise welcomes Tender newborn buds. SECOND PLACE
Pamela Lim-McAlister Forest shadows dance, Breeze weaves amongst supple limbs, Peaceful evening light. THIRD PLACE
Kristel Rietesel-Low Hawks circle still trees Bumble bees weigh down flowers At last, a small breeze HONORABLE MENTION
Daniella Thompson The redbud blossoms Are late to emerge this spring Wind blows in the boughs |
Trail Trekkers gives a big thanks to Melissa Hobbs, who served as organizer for the 2026 El Cerrito Trail Trekker Hillside Haiku Contest, and to the judges of this year's contest, who included:
- Jenny Hammer. Local writer, taught English at City College of San Francisco for thirty years. She has been a member of Trail Trekkers for many years. She established the geo-caching hike on Motorcycle Hill which involves finding poems written by California Poet Laureates in specific locations.
- Eevelyn Janean Mitchell. Past Poet Laureate of El Cerrito. She has graciously been a judge for the Trail Trekker haiku contest for several years. She is a lifelong resident of El Cerrito.
- Cynthia Slates. Poet and novelist who serves as a judge for the Academy of American Poets. She has taught creative writing at UC-Davis and City College of San Francisco and has led support groups for trauma victims using art and creative writing. She currently resides in Madera, CA.
- Andrew Pimental. Professional tutor for the City College of San Francisco. He is also a celebrated poet.
Other Haiku Contest Entries
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CHILDREN ENTRIES
Violet Z. (age 11) The weather changes From pitter patter to the Shining light over us Weeds grow showing off Coming up before our eyes Soil, moist and healthy Phoebe S. H. (age 5) I love ponds and lakes Because I love the pond life And the lakes and rivers Maggie M. (age 6) I love the forest I love the flowers on the trees It is nice to have leaves fall on my head Beatrice P. (age 12) Leaves are on the ground. Grass covers the hill. Poppies open up. Birds are singing songs. They fly alone or with friends. They happily tweet. Andie S. (age 6) I like the wind Soars past my ears Past my heart Maya C. (age 11) Let the raindrops fall From the dark clouds up above And nourish the earth Bug on the flower Making your way across Where will you go next? |
YOUTH ENTRIES
Isaac G. (age 17) Under the oak tree Refuge from the rays of light Tranquil and lively The caw of the crows A cool breeze blows overhead The chirp of the bugs Malini S. (age 13) The trees sway gently Grass turns from green to yellow Summer in the hills Climbing the boulder Crouching in the long tunnel Joy in Blake Gardens Elizabeth U. (age 14) The clouds are dyed pink The bay absorbs the low sun Day melts into night Paths carved into hills Grass holding golden poppies Golden like the sun When the sun is sleeping Clear skies reveal magic specks That light the humble night Julie O. Sun is setting City lights turn on one by one Night has come Cool summer breeze The sound of a waterfall Somewhere in the distance Big, vast, and blue Birds rock back and forth in sync A boat is coming near Skylar O. (age 15) hi there little bug please get off my arm right now you're really scary formidable ants in their obedient lines going to the queen |
ADULT ENTRIES
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Mark Friedman
One eucalyptus Pod, nearly sends me rolling Down the trail quickly A glimpse of water Flashing in the redwood shadows Lifts my feet with hope Playing hooky once Led me on this misty hike Beats working any day Steven Kirby Ah, trails on our hills The views are incredible Childhood memories Sunrise to sunset A great full day on the trails Memorable hike One step at a time Up to begin down to end Satisfying days SCA Schulman On a freezing walk- finally see daffodils Is spring almost here? In Tilden at dusk Moth lucky to be in park My cat would eat you. Trails hidden around El Cerrito Recycling A local treasure. Pamela Lim-McAlister Cool ocean breezes, Beckoning waves, crunchy sand-- Beach calls out my name. Verdant canopies, Vines entwined embrace each other. You and I...always. Jennifer Haller Stumbling toward my destiny Slipping on memories, stepping on mistakes Scrambling in the inky darkness Keep the night light on Tiptoe from the setting sun Leave a long shadow of regret Summer creeps away Bare feet stuffed into socks Heavy with the weight of sorrow Winter takes its toll Anthony Edwards Empty morning cup Warm tea in January Grey sky overhead Brown hillside spaces Watch out for roots as you hike Murmurs from the birds Surveys show new growth See the future in the dirt Hope beyond today Sydny Fujita Amache rose home Now in coastal fog's embrace Roots among the oaks Through sunlight and wind Frogs crouch resting patiently Awaiting the rain Cecelia Gunning Beyond the white caps Sky scrapers float in the fog Is there anyone there? Deborah Sauper Steady, rising path. Trekking, cresting, stand in awe. Wonders revealed below. Marshall Elliott Try spring, for a change The grass is green and tender The hill soars upward There is a puddle With a tadpole in it Not here, but elsewhere So steep! Spring breathing! Why is there no elevator? The crunch of gravel Gary Prost Beautiful Blueschist Tells a story lost in time Of ancient seafloors Michael Lessin Hawk nestlings arch up, Blooms pop tall grass, burrowing Gophers gnaw the roots. Kimberley Cullen dead wood, coyote brush-- bobbing, a lizard's head stops mine damp grass flattened-- the boot just missing a plump snail shell upright brown leaf . . . one step, two steps the squirrel freezes Joseph Herbert So many smellsies I must announce I was here Sniff sniff sniff leg lift! |
Sarah Story
Urban trail bird walk An adaptable raptor Rusty red tailed hawk Beetle percussion Acoustic wingbeat brass Purple needle grass Bay shore stewardship A light lavender essence Muwekma presence Sarah Stoller I talked to the oak Listed out my complaints Abramović style Grey BART train snakes past Your house near the lone palm Things we used to see There you are again Smiling, bare armed, golden Against matte blue Bay Sneha Patel Spring is hillside hikes Waving foxtails red tailed hawks Blue sky and bare rock Midst canyon and bay I walk the climbing rocky paths Heart quiet, breath slow Redwood grove surprise Sylvan temple filling me With grateful prayer Paul James Pitter patter leaves Drifting to the ground it hears Startles my fox friend Barbara Speed Delights to explore! A labyrinth worth the climb, and with views divine! David Hayden Hawks and vultures soar. Oh, what’s that noise? Must be the Recycling center. Song of wind in leaves, Rustle of passing BART train, Call of the freeway. Footsteps on gravel, Dappled sunlight… suddenly: Hawk! Jay! Coyote! Caroline Macarah My daughter delights Shaking branches, showering Petals lace concrete William O’Brien I’ve come to realize Here upon this forest bench That leaves also shake the wind Serafin Colmenares Sunshine peeks through leaves And dances on the bare earth Like a disco ball Crooked roots stagger The winding trail like broken Steps of earth and time Hummingbirds hover And dart like ghosts over beds Of blue and purple Signe Burns I hike with no phone. Don't want one. Are you surprised? Be free. Walk with me. Shelby Pope Uphill, uphill, look -- The titular Cerrito! Also, recycling. Marie Bantz Banana slug slime Red tailed hawks soaring high All are welcome here Kristel Rietesel-Low White clouds from the sea Hang between mountains as jays Float from oak to oak Walking through greenness Fallen poppy petals glow Like bright molten glass Brooke Gentry-Strohm In you I breathe In you I feel In you I live In you I am home Mossy branch Dampy dew Luciously green Slowly climbs Endlessly high Lovingly mine Rebecca Sablo Coyotes scavenge Amidst grasses that sway With golden gate winds Turkeys mill about Coyotes howl at the moon Cars roll down Moeser |
Haiku Contest and Hike Information
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Haiku Contest: Our annual haiku contest is a popular feature every year.
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Haiku Hike: Sunday May 3, 12:30-2:00
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Let your poems be inspired by your experiences in the Hillside Natural Area, to celebrate the annual El Cerrito Trail Trekkers Hillside Festival. Classical Japanese Haiku includes: the season; the place; the transitory nature of life; suffering; the surprise moment. 17 syllables in 5-7-5 format is not strictly required. See the examples in the feature box. Contest open to California residents. |
An ancient pool A frog jumps in The sound of water. --Matsuo Basho. The neighing horses are causing echoing neighs in neighboring barns. --Richard Wright |