By: Ela Rybak ‘25

As USC students, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with work and find ourselves not going outside as much as we probably should. Hiking is a great way to get out and relieve stress, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to find the perfect trail!

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

It’s about that time in the semester when most midterms — yes, even the “Exam 2′s” that occurred after mid-semester and therefore technically aren’t midterms anymore — have passed, the essays worth 40% of your grade have been turned in, and there’s the smallest window of opportunity for a break. If you’re looking to leave the hustle and bustle of our busy city, then maybe the mountains are where you should go. Whether you enjoy hiking or just breathing in crisp, fresh air, an escape into nature is the perfect way to relax, collect yourself, and get ready for the final stretch toward finals.

By: Kelly Kinas ‘16

Ever wondered what a professor was like outside of the classroom? Ever wondered if they’re actual people? Do you also like being active? Have you ever wished you and a cool professor could hike a trail together and talk about your hopes and dreams and hopefully get to know them better?

By: Lauren Brose ‘15

Hikes are a great way of toning your body (a natural lift for your backside, ladies!), getting your suggested 30 minutes of cardio in, as well as simply venturing outside the concrete confines of USC and downtown. The best part: you get to chat to your friends throughout the entire trail and be close to nature. One of my biggest accomplishments was hiking the tallest mountain in South Lake Tahoe called Mt. Tallac. It took me nearly the entire day and I was gasping for oxygen as I literally crawled the last quarter mile. In my defense, oxygen was becoming sparse considering the increased elevation and change in altitude but I felt the greatest surge of endorphins imaginable when I finally reached the top. Never had a PB&J tasted so heavenly. Maybe you’re not about that 12.5 mile hike. Instead, I outlined a handful of hikes around Los Angeles that range from less than two miles to up to seven miles.