Geology Hike: Ash Wash
2026-02-21 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Speaker: Don Barrie, Geoscience Educator, ABDNHA Board Member
Join Don Barrie for this moderate 5-mile loop hike to Ash Wash, a tributary of Coyote Canyon. Our destination will be the Bishop Tuff—an ash layer deposited around 760,000 years ago when an enormous volcanic eruption created the Long Valley Caldera in the eastern Sierras. During this eruption, huge volumes of ash were blown into the atmosphere, resulting in widespread deposition as far away as the Midwest. At the entrance to Ash Wash, we’ll examine the Coyote Creek Fault—the western branch of the San Jacinto Fault Zone. Max 23 people (carpooling is encouraged). Bring lunch and water. 4WD vehicle recommended. Hiking poles, if you have them. Meet at ABDNHA. No charge, but registration is required at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.

4WD Tour: Yaqui Flats (Members Priority) - FULL (Waitlist)
2026-02-21 09:00 - 14:00
Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer
Level 4 Short Wheel Base Vehicle only**
We meet for our trip at ABDNHA parking lot at 9:00am. Leaving Borrego Springs, we caravan west on Highway S22 for 7 miles and enter the trailhead at Old Culp Valley Rd. Next we turn onto Jasper Trail and then the Grapevine Trail. We stop at our destination of Yaqui Flats. If winter rains were sufficient, there will be abundant flowers. When leaving, we continue to Yaqui Well and highway 78. Bring food and water. Wear weather-appropriate clothes, and bring a hat and chair. We will using 2-way GMRS radios on channel 15. No charge. This is a members priority trip. Stop by or call the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098.
**Level 4 4WD REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

4WD Field Trip: Ancient Lake Cahuilla
2026-02-28 08:30 - 12:30
Special Earth Science Series!
Leader: John Peterson, Hydrologist and Geologist
Approximately 12,000 years ago, the Colorado River altered its course, forming a massive prehistoric lake known as Lake Cahuilla, which is now the Salton Sea. The lake served as a vital resource for the Cahuilla, Kumeyaay, and Cocopah peoples. Over the centuries, the lake filled and dried up many times. It last filled between 1731 and 1733. Hydrologist John Peterson will lead a half-day field trip to the Salton Sea, where participants can explore the ancient lake’s remnants, including visible “bathtub rings” and fishing traps. Meet at ABDNHA at 8:15 am. General Public: $18, Members: $12, Volunteers: $10. Register online or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Register here for the field trip.

4WD Tour: Full Moon at Font’s Point
2026-03-03 16:15 - 19:30
Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
Join us for the “Worm Moon” rising as viewed from Font’s Point. The sun’s low angle should offer striking views of the Borrego badlands, Ocotillo Wells, and the Salton Sea. We will meet in the ABDNHA parking lot at 4:15 p.m. for a quick briefing, then shove off East on the S-22 to Font’s Point Wash turnoff. From there, we will travel on washboard and through some sandy washes for about 4 miles to a park less than 100 yards from the overlook. The point can be breezy. Please, check the weather and dress accordingly. Bring a chair, camera, beverage, and snack to enjoy with the moonrise at 6:16 p.m. We will leave Font’s Point by 7 p.m. to return to S22, where our journey ends. This portion will be at night and offer a different perspective off-road. Have a full tank of fuel and have 4WD (AWD is OK). GMRS Radio Ch. 15 is optional. This trip is weather-dependent. 22 participants, 10 vehicles max. No charge. Register at the Nature Center, or call 760-767-3098.

4X4 Off-Roading 101 Instruction
2026-03-05 08:30 - 11:00
Leader: Ken Wuytens, ABDNHA Volunteer
Join us for this session demonstrating practical 4X4 equipment and tools, and how to use them. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot, then drive to a nearby location for our session, designed to provide instruction for those just starting their 4-wheeling adventures, as well as for those with moderate skill levels. We will discuss topics such as airing down, treading lightly, general trail safety, trail etiquette, basic recovery, and driving/spotting techniques. The number of people and vehicles and people is limited. Expected to fill quickly; call or visit the ABDNHA Nature Center to reserve your spot, 760-767-3098. Following the session, Ken plans a short trail ride; route to be determined. Those attending are welcome to join, with a return to Borrego Springs by approx. 3:30 p.m. If you plan to join the ride, be sure to have a full tank of gas, lunch, and water. This is a free program provided by ABDNHA, but donations are appreciated.

4WD Tour: Oriflamme Canyon
2026-03-11 09:00 - 14:30
ABDNHA Member-priority trip
Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer
We meet at ABDNHA parking lot at 9 a.m. We will caravan to the Banner Store at 36342 Hwy 78, then enter the trail there. We will travel along and across Chariot Creek and take a break above Oriflamme Canyon. We proceed on the trail into the canyon, where we take lunch at the abandoned CCC Camp. After lunch, we enter the Vallecito Wash and exit the trail at Box Canyon and the S2 highway. Bring water, food, snacks, a chair, a hat, and weather-appropriate clothing. We will be communicating on GRMS channel 15.

4WD Tour: Gas Domes–Shell Reef–Pumpkin Patch–OWSVRA (Members Priority) - CANCELLED
2026-03-18 08:30 - 15:30
Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
Level 4 – 4WD Higher Clearance
*** THIS PROGRAM IS CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT – RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 26 ***
We will explore points of interest in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA and ABDSP. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot by 8:30 a.m. for a briefing before caravanning to Pole Line Road off SR 78, where we air down and begin our journey. Restrooms are available here, as well as our lunch spot at the Pumpkin Patch. We will wind our way north and west through the SVRA. There are 6 features on our route, and we will stop at as many as we have time for, including the artesian well, gas domes, Shell Reef, Pumpkin Patch, 5 Palms, and 17 Palms Oasis. Our trip ends when we exit the park at Arroyo Salado at S22, 17 miles east of Borrego Springs. Road conditions vary from hardpan and washboard to mildly rocky, to some easy hills and soft sandy washes. We will cover about 28 miles with a total elevation gain of about 880 feet. Lunch is BYO. 4WD only and a full tank of gas. GMRS channel 15 is optional. Check the weather and dress accordingly. No fee. Space is limited. Call to reserve 760-767-3098.

4WD Tour: Gas Domes–Shell Reef–Pumpkin Patch–OWSVRA (Members Priority)
2026-03-26 08:30 - 15:30
Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
Level 4 – 4WD Higher Clearance
We will explore points of interest in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA and ABDSP. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot by 8:30 a.m. for a briefing before caravanning to Pole Line Road off SR 78, where we air down and begin our journey. Restrooms are available here, as well as our lunch spot at the Pumpkin Patch. We will wind our way north and west through the SVRA. There are 6 features on our route, and we will stop at as many as we have time for, including the artesian well, gas domes, Shell Reef, Pumpkin Patch, 5 Palms, and 17 Palms Oasis. Our trip ends when we exit the park at Arroyo Salado at S22, 17 miles east of Borrego Springs. Road conditions vary from hardpan and washboard to mildly rocky, to some easy hills and soft sandy washes. We will cover about 28 miles with a total elevation gain of about 880 feet. Lunch is BYO. 4WD only and a full tank of gas. GMRS channel 15 is optional. Check the weather and dress accordingly. No fee. Space is limited. Call to reserve 760-767-3098.
