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.

The early bird gets the worm 🪱! Join us for a sunrise hike with (weather permitting) breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This is a popular 5.3 mile out-and-back, so let’s beat the crowds together and get back just in time for your 9am 🙈.

An Architect on a Peaks Hike?! Sign up for an easy hike around Lake Hollywood and get a chance to talk to and learn from USC Architecture Professor Taka Tachibe!!

After all the rain in Southern California, how could we miss the greenery! Join us as we hike through the luscious Topanga Canyon on a 4.6mi loop with Professor Elizabeth Durst. Come frolic in the spring air and wildflowers as we get a break between midterms and finals.

Join us on a wonderful sunday stroll up and back trail near Topanga, California in Malibu Creek State Park! This hike is just moderately challenging, with the views of birds and greenery (particularly wild grown mushrooms) even more challenging to believe! The hike is 3.3 miles, but could be muddy so bring shoes you’re not terribly emotionally attached to at the moment. We are leaving at 8 am to get to the trail as the sun rises and enjoy the lovely UV, and to get back to qualm the Sunday carries.

Join Professor Tucker and Lily on a 5-mile hike to Dawn Mine. We’ll cross some streams and go through the forest in search of an old mine and water pump. Will we find it? You’ll have to join us to find out!

Start your birding career!

Join Peaks and Professor Robert Waller on a sunrise hike through the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains! We will leave campus around 5:15 before starting on our 5 mile trek. At USC, Professor Waller developed a special WRIT 340 class that aims to help performing and visual arts students articulate their own aesthetics, and through this process expand their understanding both of writing and the meanings and purposes driving their work. Expect panoramic views of Altadena, gorgeous wildflowers, and thought provoking conversations on artistry and creativity. You won’t want to miss this one!

Join geology expert and iconic Peaks Professor Vicky Petryshyn to hike among the Santa Monica mountains on the Zuma Ridge trail. This 5.5 mile hike will take you through the coastal landscape with great views of the Pacific Ocean.

Join us for an trip to Malibu Creek State Park to hike the Backbone Trail:) This is a 7.7-mile hiking loop with 2,017 feet of elevation gain. We are in for a little bit of a challenge, but it will be worth of it get outside and for the views! We will meet and leave EARLY in the AM to be able to get to the trail and meet our professor by 8. The hike is estimated to take 4.5-5 hours. Afterwards, we should get back to USC by mid-afternoon!

Join us for a trip to Cleveland National Forest, where we will hike and then stargaze at night.

We will start the day by hiking to Chiquito Falls before setting up the telescope deeper in the forest. After dinner, we will stargaze while getting an intro to star constellations by one of our trip leads and have interesting conversations with Professor Pardo! We should be back to campus around 10pm.

Join us for a nice long hike with Amy Braden in the Angeles National Forest! On this 8-mile (nearly 2000 ft. of elevation gain) out and back we will enjoy beautiful views, great convos, and some snow near the peak. If you’re looking to get a workout in over the weekend with some lovely people this is the trip for you!

Join us for a trip to the amazing Verdugo Mountains in Glendale with avid hiker and PhD student Rachel Newman! We will explore the scenic Beaudry Loop and soak up the panoramic views of Los Angeles. This 5.5 mile loop trail will be a fantastic way to finish your weekend!

Come join soak up some iconic beach views on this 2 mile nature walk in Palos Verdes! This is a super chill hike with great views and great conversation, so get psyched! We will be doing the Terranea Discovery Trail with Dr. Lacy Olson-Ayala of Psychology.

Get ready to tap all the way up this classic 3.5 mile trail to the best waterfall within 30 minutes of campus with Professor Rodgers from Kaufman! Specializing in tap and jazz dance, Professor Rodgers is your go to for any new moves you want to bust out at the next function. Be sure to ask him about his travels around the globe and all the many choreographed pieces made for Disney, Gatorade, Microsoft and more!

Join us for a 10-mile hike, with 1300 ft of elevation gain, through the San Gabriel Forest and Sheep Mountain Wilderness to the “Bridge to Nowhere”. We’ll cross through the San Gabriel River at least 6-8 times so be prepared to get wet! The highlight of the hike is the mysterious bridge built over the east fork in 1936. In the 1930's a road did lead to it, but was swept away by floods in 1938.

Let’s play in the snow! Join us on this 5.8-mile, 1335 elevation gain hike in Angeles National Forest with Professor Larry Harris (and his two poodles)! NOTE: Depending on weather conditions, we might not make it to the peak but we’ll go as far as possible. Warm clothes and hiking boots / waterproof shoes (not tennis shoes) are a must for this hike (see packing list below).

Join us for this strenuous yet stunning trail in the San Gabriels accompanied by the one, the only, Doc Edge of USC QCB. We anticipate some stunning views, cool conversations, and, if you are lucky, realization of absolute truths of the universe only comprehendible to those who have transcended the physical world…and also some pretty plants.

Join us for a 3.6 mile (833ft elevation gain) hike to Glendale Peak in Griffith Park on Saturday, Feb 17! We’ll be surrounded by views of LA and the San Gabriel Mountains. We’ll also be joined by Popular Music and Studio Guitar Professor, Tim Kobza, in Peaks’s first (and most certainly not last) hike with a contemporary music professor!

Looking for something to bring your crush to? Start Valentine’s Day off early with a (hopefully) beautiful sunrise hike joined by Professor Rebecca Broyer! Join us on this 2.6 mile loop; with minimal cloud coverage and a bit of luck, experience a once in a lifetime LA sunrise and hike to Griffith Observatory ♡

Come join us on this relaxing Sunday morning 3.8 mile (650 ft elevation gain) hike! We’ll get to chat with one of the most fun and caring professors at USC, and then grab a bite to eat on the way back.

Join us as we traverse one of LA’s most iconic trails! Tucked right in the middle of Hollywood, Runyon Park offers a view of the Hollywood sign, the Santa Monica Mountains and even Catalina Island on a clear day. The park that surrounds this 3.6-mile out-and-back with minimal elevation is even known for (famous) people-watching!

Join Annenberg Cross-Cultural Student Association for this 2.6-mile, 456-elevation gain loop around Fryman Canyon with Professors Miki Turner and Rebecca Haggerty! Start off your Sunday on a high note as we pick up our heart rates and talk about all things journalism, inclusion, digital media and more. ACCSA members are encouraged to join, but anyone is welcome to sign up.

Rock scrambling! A great view of the grassy valley! Come along and explore the Cave of Munits! This hike will take us on a 2 mile loop to a great spot for some light cave climbing and exploration, with a great view from the top of this small peak!

If you’re looking for a relaxing Friday morning to escape from the stress of college life, then join us on this beach meditation getaway to Santa Monica! Mindful USC has reserved 10 spots for Peaks and Professors participants to enjoy a guided meditation session led by Dr. Allyson Pimentel and Dr. Gauri Kolkhatkar. Learn how to practice mindfulness while listening to the calming Santa Monica waves. The best part is, we’ll be covering all costs for 10 participants so the trip will be completely free if you’re selected!

Join us for a trip to the amazing Verdugo Mountains in Glendale with avid hiker and PhD student Rachel Newman! We will explore the scenic Beaudry Loop and soak up the panoramic views of Los Angeles. This 5.5 mile loop trail will be a fantastic way to finish your weekend!

Join us on this adventure through the Santa Monica Mountains! We’ll embark on a short hike to the 50ft Escondido Falls, where Dr. Goldman will lead a short Yoga and meditation session. After hanging out for a bit at the base of the falls, we’ll head back to campus.

Join professor of philosophy, history and accounting Jacob Soll on this 2.9 mile, 459 elevation gain hike through Greenbriar Trail! We’ll get views of the Santa Susana, San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains and be able to hear Professor Soll’s timeless stories of his adventures around the globe.

Pull up to this gorgeous 1.9 mile out-and-back in Rancho Palos Verdes! If you like hiking with an amazing professor stunning views of the Pacific Coast, this is the hike for you!

Join ITP Professor Kristof Aldenderfer for a strenuous 7 mile, 1800ft elevation gain hike up to Strawberry Peak. We’ll get great workout and 360 views of the San Gabriel Mountains!!