Waterfalls in LA?? Groundbreaking. Join us for an easy 4 mile hike through the beautiful Angeles National Forest, complete with a relaxing lunch immersed in Sturtevant Falls’ majesty. We’ll be hiking with Jennifer Cool of the Anthropology department — believe us, she lives up to her name.

Midterms season got you down? Slacking on your New Years Resolution to get #fit? Join Dr. Polidori on a 5 mile scenic hike along Musch Trail to Eagle Rock with some pretty ~rad~ rock formations and sweeping views of Topanga Canyon, LA’s largest state park, at the top. (There may even be baked goods involved!)

This hike will have you sweating just enough to count as your workout for the day without leaving you too exhausted to hit the books when you get back.

Are you ready to travel back in time to the 1890s?? Back in the day, Echo Mountain was the site of a resort that drew tourists from all over the world to take in the views of Southern California. It was destroyed in a wildfire, but now we get to hike the trail up to the summit in the company of a brilliant historian, who can tell you about 19th century California and all you need to know about modern Germany, Central Europe, and the Ancient Greek belief in wandering wombs. Paul Lerner will join us on this 5 mile hike to the ruins of the resort!

Is this semester going too fast for you? Are you already drowning in work, even though the semester just started? Take a break from your responsibilities and plan on hiking with us in February! The Los Robles Trail to Angel Vista Point is a 7.2 mile out and back hike. The hike starts in Thousand Oaks and goes through an Oak Grove before entering into the Hope Nature preserve. With all this rain, there is bound to be some visible greenery! There is a picnic table at the vista point, where we can sit and enjoy lunch with Dr. Haas.

Want to join in on a cool hike through history?? Come on this trip!! Back in the day, Echo Mountain was the site of a resort that drew tourists from all over the world to take in the views of Southern California.

Join Prof. Bickers from the Physics department on a relaxing upside-down hike in the San Gabriel Mountains. We will walk five miles (and down 650 feet) on the way in to get to the 50-ft tall falls where we’ll cool off, relax, and refuel ourselves for the ascent back to the trailhead.

**Please note this hike is on a FRIDAY**

Join on us on this beautiful day hike close to campus! Scenery will include views looking West over LA and OC, as well as North toward the San Gabriel Mountains. We will plan eating a picnic dinner/snack at the summit around sunset, returning to the trailhead just after dark. This means you will likely need a flashlight! Chino Hills are relatively open and close to the city, thought so don’t anticipate anything too spooky. Dr. Autry is an expert on all thing space, so we may even learn something about the cosmos as they appear for the night!

Join us for an afternoon hike in the glorious Red Rock Canyon Park! We’ll be exploring some small caves and hiking through giant red rock formations, all the way up to Calabasas Peak. We will have some sweeping views of the Santa Monica mountains— and what better way to soak it all in than with Reverend Jim Burklo, senior associate of Religious Life at USC. He’s an avid hiker, an avid meditator, and one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. We’ll be meeting on campus at noon, so we can all sleep in AND can catch the sunset in Topanga on the way back from the hike.

Come trek to the ruins of the Dawn Mine and explore various historic remnants! After exploring the entrance of the mine, we’ll head back down the Sunset Ridge Trail where there will be lots of shade along the way.

Punching some bowls

Let’s get mishey

Rumor has it, Prof. Shindler is planning to share the one reason that he might consider hacking into the school’s grade database to change the grading system and give a student an A+!

This moderate hike is only 6 miles long, but you’ll feel worlds away from LA as we journey deep into the Angeles National Forest. Come for the fragrant cedar stands, stay for Professor Lamy’s priceless life advice!

Come join us with Dr. Darby Saxbe to chat stress, the psychology of relationships, and the mind body connection!

This 9 mile hike takes us though shady pine forest to the stunning views at the 9,399 ft summit of Mt. Baden-Powell, named for the founder of the Boy Scouts. 

Ever been outside and seen some weird rock structures and wondered how they formed? Have any pressing geology questions? Join us on a hike in Red Rock Canyon Park with our very own in-house Geology expert, Doug Hammond! We'll start by exploring some small caves. Then we'll hike through some giant Red Rock formations, all the way up to the top of Calabasas Peak, which offers sweeping views of the Santa Monica Mountains. There's lots of geology to see in Red rock canyon park & we'll even get to see some fossils! 

Join Peaks and Professors' longtime Faculty Advisor Brett Sheehan on the trails!

Hike up and around Eagle rock!

Join us for a Saturday morning of beautiful oceanside views and captivating conversation with one of USC's outdoors-loving psychology professors! 

If you're looking for a hike that will not only get you outdoors but also provide optimal stress relief from everyday worries, look no further! We will be hiking through Topanga State Park with USC's very own Professor of Yoga and Stress Management, Andre Haralyi, to reach the top of Eagle Rock-- what better way to unwind on a Sunday?

Spend your Saturday soaking in breathtaking views of the San Fernando valley while getting a glimpse into the incredible processes behind our genetic code with Dr. Chi Mak. We’ll trek ~7 miles from Eaton Saddle, rising from amongst the canyon oak and sycamore trees to panoramic views of Los Angeles from Inspiration Point. History buff? This trip will take us by notable historic landmarks and along the ruins of the former Mt. Lowe scenic railway. Math and science more up your alley? Dr. Mak will join us and share some tales of his work using mathematical models to better understand the amazing chemical and biological mechanisms within our cells and DNA that provide the code behind our growth, reproduction, and everyday life.

Join us in exploring the Verdugo Mountains with occupational therapy professor, Celso Delgado!

Ever wanted to traverse the Backbone Trail, spanning 67 miles through the Santa Monica Mountains? Ever realized that you're a college student and don't have the time for that? If so, this hike is for you! We'll be joined by Professor Justin Wood of the Psychology Department in exploring the first leg of the Backbone Trail at its eastern starting point in Will Rogers State Park, for a round-trip day hike of ~6 miles.