Sign ups are first come first serve! Links will open at 9PM sharp on Sunday.
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!
PACKING LIST:
STURDY AND GRIPPY HIKING SHOES
H2O!! Bring at least 2 liters!
WAIVERS!!!!!
LUNCH RECOMMENDED (snacks optional)
Hat/Sunscreen (depending on weather)
vibes
PROFESSOR: MARK MARINO
DEPARTMENT: WRITING
Meet Mark “Coach” Marino! Coach teaches in Dornsife and specializes in digital literature—he co-wrote a book with ChatGPT and is currently working on another novel about the first chatbot ever: Eliza. Coach is extremely passionate about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on our language and the literary arts, so make sure to ask him about it on the trail! On his free time, he spends time with his dog and kids, whom he writes interactive stories and children’s books with.
PEAK: BACKBONE TRAIL LOOP
DIFFICULTY: 4/5
SCENERY: EPIC views of Malibu and some light scrambling!
FUN FACT: The whole trail is actually 67 (😏) miles long!
TRIP LEAD: KATHY
Fun Fact: Kathy got her EMT certification this summer!
Contact Kathy: kacruz@usc.edu
Read Kathy’s bio here.