Please review our hiker info page to familiarize yourself with hiker safety rules and our hike ratings so that you can select hikes that meet your level of fitness. Unless specified otherwise in the activity descriptions below, hikes have a 15 person limit, and they begin in the ABDNHA parking lot.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds! The BRAG club field trip is every 2nd Wed, meeting in the ABDNHA parking lot. Note: Field trips may start at 8:00 am or 9:00 am, depending on the destination. We usually try to get back to Borrego around 3:00 pm.
Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer
We meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:00a.m., then caravan to Box Canyon. We enter the trail at Vallecito Wash (elevation 2200 ft). We continue to Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail and begin driving up the canyon between Chariot Mountain and Granite Mountain. We enter the historic Julian District gold mining area at elevation 3500 ft. Turning onto Chariot Canyon Trail, we continue until we reach Highway 78 at the Banner Store. Total 9 trail miles. Bring water, snacks and weather-appropriate clothing. We will be using GRMS Radio channel 15. No charge. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Leader: Amy Brewster
Join writer/naturalist Amy Brewster in the lovely ABDNHA garden for 90 minutes of poetry or prose. Bring your own writing, or a piece from an author you love. Nature poems are much appreciated. Bring a chair, a hat, and water. Limit: 10. No charge. Call the Nature Center or come in to reserve: 760-767-3098.
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer. Relaxed social ride of 20-30 miles, mostly flat, at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return times vary depending on the chosen route. FREE, every Friday. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the County Public Library.
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. This week, we'll visit the hawkwatch morning site, since the hawkwatch is not officially over until April 15. Then, we'll continue our search for other spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.
Eric Dugan, Herpetologist
In this webinar, Eric Dugan will describe the rattlesnakes found in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with information about the habitats where each of them exists. He will also talk about a dietary study he has been working on for the past ten years. No charge, but donations are welcome.
Register here for the webinar.
Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
This hike is a 5.6-mile round trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain. We'll hike up the main trail to the summit, then take the Five Oaks Trail on the way down. This hike is rated Moderately Strenuous for hiking steep hills to the summit and rocky terrain on the Five Oaks Trail. Bring 1 to 2 liters of water and snacks. Wear comfortable hiking boots with good tread. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m to arrange carpool. People driving from San Diego can meet us at Farmer's Rd at the trailhead at 8:45. After the hike, we could stop for lunch in Julian before returning to Borrego Springs. Call 760-767-3098 or come in to reserve. No charge. Max 15 people.
Leader: Ed Pollock, ABDNHA Volunteer
We meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:00a.m., then drive Highway S22 to the Calcite Mine turnoff at South Palm Wash, just before the county line. At the bottom of the hill, there's time for an optional guided hike into Palm Wash slot canyon - the site of Mike McElhatton's popular full moon hikes. Afterward, we regroup and drive to historic Calcite Mine, a couple of uphill miles on a fairly easy dirt road, with some narrow shelf driving and sharp turns on this scenic route. At the mine, there's time for individual exploration.
This is the last BBQ trip of the season. Meat and utensils are supplied. If you wish, bring a side dish to share and your own drinks. Camp chairs and small camp tables are helpful.
All properly functioning AWD vehicles are welcome; full gas tank and extra water are required.
After our meal, we regroup and return to Hwy S22, where the trip ends. We should be back in Borrego at 4 pm.
No charge. Call or visit ABDNHA Nature Center 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. We'll search for spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds!
The BRAG club meets every 4th Wed of the month in the Activity Room.
Note: In Nov & Dec, the meeting is on the 3rd Wed due to holidays.
Leader: Todd Link, ABDNHA Volunteer
*** Level 4 Vehicle: 4WD (NO AWD) Higher Clearance REQUIRED due to deep sand, medium rocks, steep or uneven sections, or rough terrain - Vehicle must be in good condition with a full tank of gas ***
Join us for an off-road sightseeing adventure starting at ABDNHA. We'll head East on S22, air down our tires on Truckhaven trail, and visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP) and Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA) attractions. We'll follow Truchaven trail to Tule Wash, stopping at 17 Palms and 5 Palms Oases. We'll then break for lunch at Pumpkin Patch in OWSVRA, also accessed via Tule Wash. Afterwards, we'll backtrack to ABDSP for a scenic drive to Vista Del Malpais via Basin Wash, with short segments on Cut-Across Trail and Fault Wash, then visit the vista point via Short Wash. At the vista, enjoy beautiful views of the Borrego Badlands and surrounding mountains, with time to explore the ridge trail. Finally, we'll return to S-22 via Thimble wash and head back to ABDNHA.
Dress for the weather, bring a lot of water.
Trip lasts about 4.5 hours, depending on stops.
No charge, but space is limited (MEMBER PRIORITY TRIP)
Call 760-767-3098 or visit ABDNHA Nature Center to reserve.
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. We'll search for spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.
Leader: Mike McElhatton, ABDNHA Education Director
This has become an annual ABDNHA end-of-season program. We leave Borrego in time to be at Font's Point when the sun sets, and we stay until the moon rises, and a little longer if we like. The sun sets at 7:28 p.m., and the moon rises at 7:53 p.m. Meet at ABDNHA parking lot at 6:15 p.m.
Bring chairs, snacks to share, and a beverage of your choice.
4WD recommended.
No charge, but space is limited and registration is required. Call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. We'll search for spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. We'll search for spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds! The BRAG club field trip is every 2nd Wed, meeting in the ABDNHA parking lot. Note: Field trips may start at 8:00 am or 9:00 am, depending on the destination. We usually try to get back to Borrego around 3:00 pm.
Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
This hike covers 7 miles of the upper Santa Ysabel East Preserve from the trailhead on Farmer's road to the Kanaka Loop and back. The hike is rated Moderate for hiking on old farm roads and some rolling hills with minimal elevation gain.
Bring 1 to 2 liters of water, and wear comfortable hiking boots with good tread.
Mett at 7:50 a.m. at the ABDNHA Parking lot, or at 8:45 a.m. at the trailhead on Farmer's road.
After the hike, we could stop for lunch in Julian or Wynola before returning to Borrego Springs. Call 760-767-3098 or come in to reserve. No charge.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds!
The BRAG club meets every 4th Wed of the month in the Activity Room.
Note: In Nov & Dec, the meeting is on the 3rd Wed due to holidays.
Spots are still available
Join Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association on a grand tour of Romania, one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. Romania has beautiful nature, charming medieval towns, stately castles, colorful monasteries, traditional rural areas, interesting history, and several UNESCO world heritage sites. The group will be led by geologist Don Barrie, GeoTours tour director Matt Ebiner, and an English-speaking Romanian guide.