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Are you ready for the best introduction to Southern California backpacking ever???? Skip your Saturday finals and come to Ojai with us for some epic views, hills, and W A T E R F A L L S. If that wasn’t enticing enough, come take a dip in the swimming holes! This will be an amazing and relaxing weekend full of meditative conversations in the great outdoors as well as fantastic photo opportunities (if that’s your type of thing).
No worries if you have little or no backpacking experience prior to this trip! But having experience with long and/or difficult hikes is HIGHLY recommended as you will be carrying a 35 lb. pack on your back while hiking, plus going up ~1200 ft. to the falls over 5 miles the first day.
Disclaimer: Peaks and Professors unfortunately does not encourage skipping finals to go backpacking
PACKING LIST:
backpacking backpack (can provide if you don’t have)
sleeping bag and pad
warmer layer for sleeping in (think sweatpants and a long sleeve/light jacket, temps are expected to be in the high 40s at night)
clothes!!!! don’t forget socks and underwear
hiking poles (if you wish)
sunscreen/hat
snacks and breakfast for the road
swimsuit
camera!!!!!
flashlight/headlamp
mess kit (or utensil to eat with plus a portable bowl/tupperware-type thing)
any medications you take
comfy hiking shoes (and water shoes if you so wish)
lots of water (3-4L for yourself in reusable bottles, we will supply the rest)
WAIVERS
WE WILL PROVIDE:
tents
backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads if you don’t have
lunch and dinner for Saturday, breakfast and a small lunch for Sunday
PROFESSOR: REV. JIM BURKLO
DEPARTMENT: Office of Religious Life
RATE MY PROFESSOR: "Great professor… Plus he has the Ron Swanson laugh so that’s a bonus”
Professor Burklo is a progressive Christian reverend, former Associate Dean of the USC Office of Religious Life, and one of the most gentle and kind people you can meet. He has been involved in Peaks and Professors from the beginning and truly enjoys being involved in the USC community, even beyond the classes he teaches in Social Work. In the Office of Religious Life, he dedicates his time to building community among students and implementing humanitarian programs like the Jubilee co-op café (free vegan food at URC every Wednesday from 12-1:30 PM!). He is also an ordained United Church of Christ pastor and is the author of six published books on progressive Christianity. Check out his personal blog, Musings!
PEAK: MATILIJA FALLS
DIFFICULTY: 5/5
SCENERY: Beautiful waterfalls, rock formations, rolling green hills, and, if we are lucky, wildflowers galore!! There may also be a cave for us to explore…
FUN FACT: The North Fork Matilija Creek Trail was historically a mail route between the inland and coastal regions of Ventura County before Highway 33 was built!
TRIP LEAD: HALO LYMAN
uses spray sunscreen on their face, never the lotion kind. ever.
Contact Halo: hlyman@usc.edu
Read Halo's bio here.