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Writers Gone Wild: Three Sisters Adventure Writing Retreat
Writers Gone Wild: Three Sisters Backpack + Poetry Retreat
July 17-20th, 2025 | Sisters, Oregon
A 3-night backpacking & poetry excursion for restless creatives who want to wake up their senses and feel alive again.
You’re Not Stuck. You’re Overstimulated.
If your creativity feels dulled, distant, or distracted—you’re not broken. You’re probably just overdue for some real quiet, some wild air, and a reason to pick up your pen again.
This isn’t a classroom or a writing workshop. It’s NOT about productivity, perfection, or performance.
It’s about presence.
Over four days and three nights, we’ll hike through the stupid-beautiful Three Sisters Wilderness, write beside glacier-fed streams, and share poems under open skies. You’ll move your body, clear your mind, and reconnect with your creative voice—the one that got lost under deadlines and digital noise.
This is not your average "retreat." It’s a creative comeback.
You'll Walk Away With:
A reawakened creative voice that feels real, clear, and alive
Pages of writing born from presence, not effort
A deeper connection to yourself, your creativity, and the world around you
A grounded body + clear mind, thanks to time in nature and away from screens
A new creative community of trail-tested, adventure-loving friends :)
PLUS: Special limited-edition swag because WHY NOT :)
Please Note: This trip is a free, invite-only experience. (More details below)
The Experience
We'll spend four days and three nights hiking the world-famous Three Sisters Loop. Here’s a daily snapshot of the trip:
(Click each day to see dropdown.)
Welcome to the wild! Meet your trail family over coffee and pre-trip pastries at Sisters Coffee where we’ll share intros, do a group gear check, and shake off last-minute nerves before shuttling to the trailhead.
Then, we'll lace up our boots, shoulder our packs, and hit the trail — winding through a hauntingly beautiful burn zone where new life is rising from the ashes. As we hike, we’ll shake off the noise of daily life and settle into a slower, wilder rhythm.
Tonight, we’ll set up camp at the edge of a secret lake. We'll crack open our first writing prompt under the open sky.
Today's Mission: Shed the rush and rules of regular life. Step fully into presence, movement, and possibility.
We hike deeper today — crossing creeks, moving through open meadows, and arriving at a stunning alpine lake for a long, leisurely lunch where you can dip your toes or brave a swim! Expect open-air writing sessions, spontaneous poetry, and belly laughs.
Along the trail, you’ll be offered prompts to spark unexpected poems. This is often the most exhilarating part!
Tonight, we camp under the hush of towering pines and sky full of stars. You'll have the opportunity to share your words, if you feel called.
Today's Mission: Let movement, beauty, and breath guide you back to your natural creative rhythm.
Today is pure magic: wildflower meadows, a sparkling waterfall, and wide-open sky. We’ll follow the trail through bursts of color and sound, making our way to our final camp at Sunshine Meadows — a place that feels stitched together by wonder itself.
You’ll have generative writing time to follow wherever your wild words want to go, plus an optional campfire open mic under the stars (no pressure, no critiques — just celebration).
Today's Mission: Drop the expectations. Write freely — straight from your wild heart.
On our last morning, we’ll savor a slow, golden hour at camp with coffee, journaling, and integration ceremony. As we hike out together, you’ll carry not just your pack, but something richer: fresh poems, new friends, and a deeper connection to your own creative voice.
You’ll carry home not just pages of fresh writing, but a wilder, truer version of yourself — one you can trust to keep creating long after the trail dust fades!
Today's Mission: Leave with pages full of poems, new friends, and a creative instinct you trust more fiercely than ever.
Burnout Doesn’t Stand a Chance Out Here
For a few days, let's forget word count and count wildflowers instead.
Channel Your Inner Mary Oliver & Let Nature Do The Work
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
~John Muir
I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”
~ Vincent van Gogh
“To this day, I don’t care for the enclosure of buildings...I got saved by poetry, and I got saved by the beauty of the world."
~ Mary Oliver
"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat."
~Laura Ingalls Wilder
“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.”
~Mary Davis
“If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees.“
~ Rainer Maria Rilke
"Nature always seems trying to talk to us as if she had some great secret to tell. And so she has."
–John Lubbock
“Time spent amongst trees is never wasted.”
~Katrina Mayer
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside… I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
~ Anne Frank
How much does it cost?
This retreat is a NO-COST, invite-only experience and here's why:
Writers Gone Wild is a new endeavor. Yes, I worked as an adventure travel guide for more than 10 years. And, yes, I've been a professional writer for the past 8. But, I want to make sure these new trips are beyond amazing! So I'd love the chance to GIFT an adventure in exchange for honest feedback, testimonials, and photos.
Total Cost: $0 per person - that's right, zero!
*ALL logistics, meals, snacks, and group camping equipment are INCLUDED. All I ask is for your open-heartedness and honest feedback. <3
Limited to 8 wonderful humans! If you'd love to be one of them, click the button below and I'll be in touch. :)
You'll be notified first if a spot opens up!
Meet Your Guide
Hi, I’m Sara—founder of Writers Gone Wild and lifelong trail-loving word nerd. I’ve led expeditions on six continents, ghostwritten for bestselling authors, and now I help burnt-out creatives come alive again.
I’ll be there every step of the way—packing snacks, guiding prompts, and cheering you on as you find your way back to your own creative spark.
What's Included:
ALL backcountry meals, snacks, and trail treats
Morning coffee + evening hot cocoa/tea
Creative writing prompts, generative sessions, & campfire open mic!
All Wilderness permits, camping permits, and parking permits
Professional WFR-trained guide
Professional photographer <3 (yes, you'll get gorgeous adventure photos of YOU to keep!)
PLUS, just for FUNZIES: 🎁 🎁 🎁
A sporty Writers Gone Wild 3-panel adventure hat
Wild and whimsical stickers to add flair your nalgene
Your Trailhead Kit (packing list, trail journal, and gear tips)
Get on the waitlist now in case a spot opens up!
Not Included: Your own personal backpack, sleeping bag, & tent + Transportation to/from trailhead (carpooling options will be coordinated!)
It's Time to Trade Nonstop Notifications for Nonstop Views
When: Thursday July 17th - Sunday, July 20th, 2025 (4 days, 3 nights)
Where: Starting from Sisters, Oregon
Distance: Approx. 47 miles over 4 days (final route may vary slightly)
Group Size: Limited to 8 participants for an ideal experience
Skill Level: Moderate – must be comfortable hiking with a backpack 8-12 miles/day
Cost: FREE (yes, seriously) in exchange for honest feedback and a photo-release :) <3
Come be part of the inaugural Writers Gone Wild adventure!
P.S. I'm SO EXCITED about this trip! Hope you get a spot!
FAQs
Click through to see answers to our most commonly asked questions.
Some! You should feel comfortable hiking 8-12 miles with a backpack on. If you're newer to backpacking, we’ll help you prep and feel confident before you hit the trail. We've planned the route to have plenty of time for snack stops and writing detours. But, this trip is NOT recommended for your first ever backpacking or camping experience!
No sweat! Poetry is just a portal to your creative voice. You don’t need to be a poet or have years of experience writing poems to get a TON out of this trip. All you need is a sincere desire to be creative and tap into your own inner voice.
All meals are included and crafted for the trail! We’re teaming up with a woman-owned adventure foods company that makes hearty, nourishing, and delicious backpacking meals. Think coconut lentil curry, creamy risotto, oatmeal with real fruit, and trail snacks that actually taste good.
Plus, we'll have a snack smorgasbord to choose from to add plenty of trail yums to your pack.
Note: We can absolutely accommodate most dietary restrictions with advance notice!
Yes, we can easily accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free and most nut allergies. For other food allergies or medical concerns, please reach out ASAP so we can make sure you're taken care of! <3
The Three Sisters Loop is a well-maintained trail with less elevation gain than you might imagine. That said, you can expect to be on your feet and in motion about 6-7 hours per day. We break up our hiking into morning and afternoon segments, with plenty of chances to refuel and take in the views. For more specific trail information or questions, please reach out to support@writersgonewild.com
You’ll bring or rent your own backpacking gear, which includes: tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. A full packing list will be provided, and we’ll help you source anything you’re missing.
Beyond your personal gear and clothing, we take care of the rest! Writers Gone Wild will provide all your trail meals and snacks, cooking equipment, water filtration, first aid, and more. We'll have a pre-trip call to make sure everyone has what they need. And, we even do a final group pack-check before we hit the trail so any last-minute necessities can be grabbed in Sisters. <3
Mostly no. Expect limited to no reception once we’re on trail. This is part of the magic—time to unplug completely. However, we will have access to satellite phone in case of emergency.
July in the Cascades typically brings sunny days in the 70s-80s and cooler nights in the 40s-50s. We’ll send a full packing list and help you prepare for all conditions!
Not at all. This group is small (just 8 humans), and the vibe is low-pressure, welcoming, and spacious. You’ll have time to connect and time to be alone in nature.
We’re happy to help! Send your questions to support@writersgonewild.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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Don't Miss Out.
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