Not sure what the categories mean? We break down our difficulty ratings for you here.
Unsure about the different registration options? We explain what driving for our trips actually involves here.
Sign ups are first come first serve! Links will be live at 9PM sharp on Sunday, October 19.
If you need a nature-filled boost in the morning to get ready for Halloween night two - this trip is for you! After a (most likely) long night out, we are going to be hiking 7 miles up to Strawberry Peak to see some wonderful views and reset before returning to the USC craze.
To cure any post-halloween, haunted vibes, come reconnect with nature at Descanso Gardens. Nestled in the La-Canada Flintridge hills, the gardens are a manmade, perfectly manicured oasis featuring over 150 acres of native and exotic plants and flowers. With a late start and super chill route, this will be more of a fun stroll than a hike. If you like plants, peaks, people, or just pretty things, come join us on this fun, unique walk!
Nestled deep in the San Gabriel Mountains is one of Southern California’s bucket list hikes. Constructed in the 1930’s the “Bridge to Nowhere” is aptly named because the road it was meant to connect never finished construction. Instead, to get to this famed bridge, we will be departing USC at 8 am sharp, parking at the trailhead, and embarking on a 10-mile round-trip hike. Despite traversing through a canyon and thus featuring minimal elevation gain, the hike is technically difficult, featuring many stream crossings. Expect to move much slower than you would on a normal hike. A serene lunch stop should power us through our exciting adventure, even if we are hiking to nowhere!
Itching to get off of campus after midterms? Want to make the most of the chilly fall weather? COME HIKE WITH US! This 7.7 mile long loop will feature some stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains (maybe even the beautiful California coast if the weather permits) and some rock scrambling on the way in to the trail. Elevation will get up to around 2,000 ft. above sea level, so come well rested and ready to think outside! We’ll meet EARLY in the village to get to the trailhead around 8; the hike will take around 4-5 hours and we should be back to campus by mid-afternoon!
If you’re looking to start your Saturday morning off with a relaxing stroll around a large(ish) body of water then join us for a 3.3 mile, 150-foot elevation gain hike around the Hollywood Reservoir with professors Maria Mercedes Fages Agudo and Leah Kemp from the Spanish Department (no Spanish knowledge necessary to have a good time)! Enjoy greenery after the recent rains and a great view of the Hollywood sign!
Come watch the sunrise at one of the most breathtaking ocean overlook spots in all of Los Angeles, led by a local expert!
This self-made loop trail by Professor Akhavan will guide us through peaceful wooded paths before revealing the stunning“Queen’s necklace.” From there, we will wind down through charming residential streets, past a popular wedding spot, and make our way to Palos Verdes Beach and appreciate one of the only waterfalls that pours directly into the ocean in Southern California.
Along the way, we will hear (and hopefully spot!) peacocks, hawks, falcons, seagulls, and even a few friendly chickens.
Come join Peaks and UTSA for the grand finale of Undocumented Trojan Student Week (USAW)!
Take a break from midterms and hit the trail with us - where ocean views, historic ruins, and good vibes come together. Whether you are part of UTSA or not, come join us for the adventure, scenery, and stress-free vibes.
Come with Peaks to Mandeville Canyon! Get ready for Halloween with this hike in Santa Monica with views of the greater LA area and the beautiful coastline! Professor Avi Glick from SCA joins us for a hike full of good vibes and great vistas!
The Big Pine Lakes, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, attribute their vibrant turquoise color to the Palisade glacier. Join this trip if you want to see some epic views of the mountains, hike past three glacier-fed lakes, take a cold plunge, and enjoy two nights of warm campfire at a pretty campsite. We will camp Friday and Saturday night at the Big Pine Creek Campground, leaving early Saturday morning for our ~11 mile hike and spending the whole day exploring the lakes and taking in the sights. The trail starts at an altitude of 7,600 feet. To reach Third Lake, you will gain about 2,650 more feet, giving access to sweeping views of the mountains and lower lakes!
RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU LOVE THE OCEAN 🙋 JOIN US FOR A FUN DAY OF SNORKELING AND KAYAKING IN CATALINAAAAA!!!
Join us on our second annual Peaks x Price faculty hike with Professors Elizabeth Falletta and Kate Nelischer, and Price Advisor Russ Sommer! Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn from three Price faculty while exploring Cherry Canyon!
Looking for a hike that’s equal parts beautiful and iconic to Los Angeles TV history? Join us for a 6-mile round-trip adventure through Chilao in the San Gabriel mountains, complete with shaded trails, sweeping views, and plenty of opportunities for laughs along the way. This hike is inspired by one of TV’s most memorable stunts: in Nathan for You Season 1, Episode 4, comedian Nathan Fielder designed a gas station rebate that could only be redeemed after a grueling mountain trek, turning a simple promotion into an unforgettable outdoor challenge. While we’ll skip the paperwork and we definitely won’t make you camp overnight to get your rebate, we’ll keep the same spirit of fun and determination alive on the trail. Drivers get priority spots, so if you’ve got a car, you’re extra valuable to our rebate-claiming crew.
Tucked away in the Angeles National Forest, Josephine Peak is one of L.A.’s best-kept hiking secrets. This 5,500-foot summit offers a perfect blend of adventure and chill vibes — think wide fire roads, steady climbs, and jaw-dropping views of the San Gabriels, Downtown LA, and even Catalina on a clear day. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just out for some fresh mountain air, Josephine Peak gives you that “on top of the world” feeling without the overcrowded trails. Bonus points: you’ll pass by the quirky ruins of an old fire lookout near the summit — a perfect spot for a snack break and some Insta-worthy photos.
We are going to send it up this mountain a full 4000 feet over 7 miles! On the 14-mile round-trip journey, we will be scrambling, taking in some crazy views, and having lots of great conversations. Come join us to test your limits and escape to the wilderness!!
The early bird gets the worm! Come join us on a beautiful SUNRISE hike to the tallest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, Sandstone Peak! This 3 mile out-and-back hike is filled with some amazing sandstone rock formations and gorgeous views of the Malibu Hills and Pacific Ocean. You’ll be back right when everyone else wakes up (or not… it is a Sunday after all).
Wow! This is so cool!! Amazing!! These are all phrases YOU, yes YOU! will be saying on this gorgeous 2.5-mile hike in Palos Verdes with Physical Education Professor Diana Ordorica!!! With minimal elevation gain, fantastic views, and a finish line at the beach, this hike is quite literally calling your name!! You will even get to meet 6 or 7 new friends. So hit that sign up button!!!!!
Whether you're craving a peaceful solo walk, a picturesque family outing, or simply want to feel the ocean’s playful side, the Point Vicente Beach Walk serves up a coastal experience with heart and soul. Lace up, breathe deep, and let the sea breeze do the rest.
I want you to think of the biggest tree you ever seen. Got it in your head? Well erase it now because you’re about to see THE BIGGEST TREE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!! (LITERALLY!!) Join Peaks and Dr. Reisman as we wander through the Giant Sequoias and beautiful meadows of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks! We’ll hike, camp, stargaze, spot wildlife (if we’re lucky, we may even see a black bear!), talk about living in space, and road trip through this treasure of the High Sierra. It will surely be a fantastic way to start out your fall semester, I do hope you join us!
Start your semester off right with an adventure to one of California’s most beautiful and iconic national parks! This will be a beautiful weekend of frolicking through gorgeous meadows, forests, and mountains. We will be biking around in the iconic Yosemite Valley (and maybe swimming too!), explore the Mariposa Grove of sequoias, and ending our days gathered around the campfire. We will do a couple of hikes within the park, ranging from easy to moderate (no more than 5 miles, and relatively flat). Get excited for some of California’s most spectacular views on this two-night camping adventure!
Venture into the vast and beautiful Los Padres for a night under the stars. Joined by Astronomy professor, Kris Pardo, and two young, fresh-faced trip leads, experience the lesser travelled, but wildly underrated Sespe Wilderness. With only 700 feet of elevation gain over 8.8 miles, this calm overnighter will be more of an adventurous hot girl walk through the woods than a serious trek. With chances to meander through lush forests, rock scramble over ancient rock formations, take a cold plunge in Bear Creek, or a warm dip in the hot springs, this quick, one night, out and back backpacking trip will be one to remember!
Need a study break before finals? Join us on an easy 2.6 mile hike around the Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area. We’ll see great views, a lake, and a Japanese garden. Then, to rest after that exhausting journey, we’ll end with a snack/lunch in the park’s picnic area!
Have you ever thought to yourself: Wow, I am free on May 3 from 8AM to 3PM and would LOVE to hike 5.7 miles with 459ft of elevation gain along Point Vicente? Well, do I have some news for you. Expect Gorgeous views, Lovely wildlife, and Amazing conversation with new friends, featuring USC’s very own Dr. Kayla Reardon!
It’s the last tuesday of Spring 2025! Who cares if you’re tired for classes today, you’re probably tired by now anyway? Come join Dr. Broyer and I on an awesome (hopefully beautiful — weather permitting) Los Angeles sunrise hike to Griffith Observatory :)
Come escape the Sunday scaries with us! Together we will enjoy the sites of the Hollywood Reservoir and put off our work for just another half day. Or maybe everyone around you is celebrating Easter today and you need something to do! Hey, if we weren’t in an egg-cession maybe I would’ve hid some eggs along the way (jk.) :-)
Come join Ulu, who just recently successfully defended his PhD, in the beautiful oases of Palm Springs! Expect amazing palm trees, a picnic under the shade, and excellent vibes. Rumor has it that Ulu is also bringing a small “secret gift” to give to everyone…
Join us for a lovely 5.1-mile (1,259 elevation gain) hike around Griffith Park on Saturday, Feb 17! Views of LA and the San Gabriel Mountains are in store, and we promise it’ll be a great way to spend your Saturday. We’ll also be joined by Popular Music and Studio Guitar Professor (and Peaks legend in the making) Tim Kobza!
Looking for some sick views of the city? Big fan of peaks? We’ll be heading out to Cahuenga Peak via the 3 mile Burbank Trail hoping to catch some nice views on a sunny day! Come out and chat with us as we explore one of the best spots to see Los Angeles from a distance.
¿Quisieras mejorar su español? ¿Buscando para oportunidades de salir a los senderos? ¿Has querido caminar por el letrero de Hollywood? Acompaña Peaks y SUSA (Spanish Undergraduate Student Association) para una caminata de colaboración especial con el profesor David Zaraza para practicar sus habilidades conversacionales y “pensar afuera!” Vamos al letrero de Hollywood por el camino Canyon Drive. Es una caminata intermedio que dura 6 millas y pasa por las colinas de Hollywood y al final uno de los lugares mas famosos de Los Angeles!
Nota: No hay una requisito de idioma - todos son bienvenidos sin importar el nivel de su español. Pero debería estar preparado para una caminata completamente en español.
Come unwind on this beautiful day trip to Cooper Canyon Falls. This scenic 5.2-mile hike offers great views and a peaceful escape into nature, ending at a picturesque waterfall.
Come unwind on this beautiful camping trip to Santa Paula! Get ready for a weekend full of swimming holes, rock-hopping, and gourmet camping food. When we arrive on Saturday, we will venture out on an 8-mile hike to the Punch Bowls, where we will swim, splash around, and eat lunch before returning to our picturesque campsite to hang out and eat dinner.
Doing nothing Friday thru Sunday and want to go outdoors, see some beautiful trees, hang out by a lake, go on a hike, camp, and enjoy some quality time? Then this trip is perfect for you. We will go to Sequoia National Forest Friday midday, cook some dinner and then have a Saturday full of small hikes and hanging out and enjoying the beautiful national forest and a chill Sunday before going home. Hopefully we also see some bears.
Come KAYAKING and (maybe) SNORKELING on the beautiful Catalina Island with Professor David Hutchins! We’ll be going on a guided kayak tour at the Wrigley Institute, with possible opportunity for snorkeling in the nearby bay. Then, we’ll eat lunch and walk through the Wrigley Marine Institute on the island for a guided tour of the lab! We’ll also be taking the exclusive SC boat over!
Do you enjoy beautiful views and a refreshing ocean breeze? Join us for a sunset stroll along the Palos Verdes coastline with Professor Egan! Bring a little snack to enjoy with the scenery and, if we’re lucky, some ocean wildlife!
Join Professor Matthew Manos for a sunny Sunday on the beach! With an easy 2 mile out-and-back hike along the Malibu coast, this trip will be one you won’t want to miss. And once we get to the beach… we’re gonna have a beach picnic so be sure to bring a lunch or snacks.. and maybe some to share too :) We’ll take in the scenery, hang out by the water, and have some good convos!
![[SUSA x PEAKS] Hollywood Sign via Canyon Trail Drive w/ David Zarazua {Spanish}](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a42a629a8b2b05e5cf25608/1744391060897-QRN6KQ0XKLU6ZPY1TDY0/Screenshot+2025-04-11+100117.png)
