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Chilao to Mt. Hillyer via Horse Flats Trail w/ Myda Cholakyan {Annenberg}

  • Chilao Visitor Center 1 Moccasin Trail Palmdale, CA, 93550 United States (map)

Sign ups are first come first serve! Links will open at 9PM sharp on Sunday.

Looking for a hike that’s equal parts beautiful and iconic to Los Angeles TV history? Join us for a 6-mile round-trip adventure through Chilao in the San Gabriel mountains. This hike is inspired by one of TV’s most memorable stunts: in Nathan for You Season 1, Episode 4, comedian Nathan Fielder designed a gas station rebate that could only be redeemed after a grueling mountain trek, turning a simple promotion into an unforgettable outdoor challenge. While we’ll skip the paperwork and we definitely won’t make you camp overnight to get your rebate, we’ll keep the same spirit of fun and determination alive on the trail. Drivers get priority spots, so if you’ve got a car, you’re extra valuable to our rebate-claiming crew.

PACKING LIST:

  • Daypack

  • Water

  • Waivers

  • Lunch/snacks

  • Sunscreen/sunglasses/hat

  • Sturdy shoes



MYDA CHOLAKYAN

DEPARTMENT: ACADEMIC ADVISOR - ANNENBERG

Myda Cholakyan is a Senior Academic Advisor at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She began working in higher education at CSULA, where she completed both her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from. After obtaining her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, Myda served as a K-12 teacher for several years before she decided she wanted to go back to doing what she loves, which was advising students in higher education. Due to her passion for advising, she pursued her Master’s Degree in Higher Educational Counseling from USC’s Rossier School of Education. She has worked as an academic advisor at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for over three years now. She genuinely enjoys getting to know her students, as well as helping to guide them throughout their academic journey so that they achieve all their goals at USC. What she loves most about advising is ultimately ensuring that students are on track to complete their degrees. In her spare time, Myda likes to cook, read, play pickleball, travel, and spend time with her family and friends.


PEAK: Mt. Hillyer

DIFFICULTY: 3/5

SCENERY: Shady forested trails, rocky outcrops and sweeping views of the San Gabriel Mountains.

FUN FACT: This is the same hike featured in Nathan for You Season 1, Episode 4 — the infamous Gas Station Rebate Hike! You’ll be walking in the exact footsteps of the iconic Nathan Fielder


TRIP LEAD: Kate Stuzin

Ask Kate about rock climbing, the best bagel recipe, or her favorite Nathan For You episode!

Contact Kate: stuzin@usc.edu

Read Kate’s bio here.