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Feeling like your week could use a refresh? Craving some nature, ocean breeze, and wagging tails? Come join the one and only Professor Charlie Hannigan (and his adorable dog Smiley!) for a laid-back, soul-filling hike to the waterfall in Placerita Canyon — a scenic trail that winds through oak woodlands and chaparral-covered slopes, culminating at a charming 15-foot seasonal cascade.
This approximately 5-mile out-and-back trail is the perfect weekend reset: moderately chill, full of natural beauty, and with plenty of shaded spots to keep things cool. Smiley will be leading the charge, and Charlie will be there to share stories, good vibes, and maybe even a snack or two if you're lucky.
Waterfall? Check. Good convo? Check. Cute dog? Triple check.
PACKING LIST:
Water (1-2L)
Sturdy hiking shoes
Sunscreen
Sunglasses / Hat for Sun Protection
Lunch + Snacks
Yapping :D
WAIVERS
WE WILL PROVIDE:
A wonderful adventure!
PROFESSOR: Charlie Hannigan
Charlie Hannigan is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Data Sciences and Operations at the USC Marshall School of Business. Charlie researches criminal justice systems, applying tools in the field of operations to make them more just. He is interested in classification algorithms for partially unlabeled data, customer utility in queueing systems, and incentive design in complex queueing systems. Charlie teaches both undergraduates and MBA students at the Marshall School of Business. While teaching, Charlie focuses on helping students who are uncomfortable with mathematics develop mastery over difficult quantitative material. He received USC Marshall’s Golden Apple Teaching Award in 2024.
PEAK: Canyon and Waterfall Trail
DIFFICULTY: 2.5/5
SCENERY: Waterfall, Hills, Greenery
FUN FACT: Placerita Canyon is the site of California's first documented gold discovery.
TRIP LEAD: Sumin
Ask her about her trip to Bali, food recommendations, or rock climbing.
Contact Sumin: suminwu@usc.edu
Read Sumin’s bio here.