Hike

Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 8 a.m. to drive to the slot parking area. This area has a day-use fee, so we'll try to take as few cars as possible. Starting out from the parking area, we'll follow the ridge and climb up to West Butte to admire the view of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Salton Sea, and the Vallecito Mountains. We backtrack a bit after the summit and follow an informal trail down to Borrego Mountain Wash. We'll follow the wash to the bottom of The Slot and climb up to the parking area to finish our outing. Expect a 5-mile hike with 700 ft of elevation gain and loss. This trip will be limited to 15 people. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Leader: Robin Halford

Blake Hill is one of the few named entities in the Mecca wilderness and an area where desert tortoises might be found. The first part of the hike includes a wash, a slot canyon, and a very steep 0.1-mile climb up to a ridge. Then there is a descent on an abandoned jeep road, followed by a walk on Box Canyon Road to the cars. The total hike distance is 6.3 miles (loop). Expect lots of uneven ground, some of it rocky. There is no bouldering, but there are some uneven, steep sections on the ridge. Sturdy shoes recommended. Bring snack/lunch, electrolytes, water, and poles. Limit 10. Driving instructions: Drive North on Hwy 86 and go right (east) on 66th Ave. Go over the bypass bridge and turn right (east) at the light. Drive 11.3 miles, and park on the left side of Box Canyon Road. We will meet here. The road is usually OK for 2WD with high clearance. Call 760-767-3098 or visit the Nature Center.

Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub

Hike 10 miles with 1000' gain on a loop starting with 3 miles on a jeep road up Rockhouse Canyon. Reach Hidden Spring, ascend to Jackass Flat, cross the flat, come down Butler Canyon. 4WD highly recommended, preference given to 4WD vehicles. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch, snacks, water. Limit 15. Reserve at 760-767-3098.

Leader: Amy Brewster

“I only went for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found I was really going in.” -- John Muir

Join writer/naturalist Amy Brewster for a lovely ramble up Glorietta Canyon.  We will hike about 2 miles, stopping at an overlook of Borrego Valley, and then take time to write. Some sections of incline and loose rocks. Option to share your writing if the spirit moves. Please bring writing materials, such as a small notebook. Max: 10 people. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Leader: Bruce Kelley
Hike is CANCELLED

Hornblende canyon is a beautiful canyon with interesting rock features along the way.  This is also one of the best places in the park to see Dudleya. (See the Dudleya Presentation on March 13.) This beautiful succulent grows in several places along Hornblende Canyon. Meet in the parking lot of ABDNHA no later than 7:50 a.m. Call the Nature Center to reserve.

Mar. 15, Sun., 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Hike: Hot Springs Mountain (Strenuous) 

Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks

Join us for this steep 10-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Hot Springs Mountain. At 6535 feet, Hot Springs Mountain is the highest peak in San Diego County, 21 feet higher than Cuyamaca. The total elevation gain/loss is 2200 feet. Most of the hike is on a graded dirt road to an old fire tower. After the tower, an easy uphill trail leads to the peak boulder. Climbing the peak boulder is a nice challenge and a rewarding experience. 360-degree views from the peak looking out to San Gorgonio and San Jacinto to the north, Mt. Palomar and Mt. Cuyamaca to the west and south, and Toro Peak, Anza-Borrego, and Salton Sea to the east. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Meet at 8 a.m. at the intersection of S2 and Highway 79. No charge. 760-767-3098, or stop by to reserve. Note: The hike and peak are on the Los Coyotes Reservation, and a $10 fee is payable in cash at the entrance station.

Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer

Join me for an 11-mile RT hike on the Old Wilson Trail from Old Culp Valley Rd to the Overlook, then up to the Wilson Benchmark. This is a fun hike with 800 ft of elevation gain and loss. With lots of rolling hills, it never gets steep anywhere along the way. We'll have a rewarding view at the Overlook and the top of the Wilson Benchmark of Grapevine Canyon and the Salton Sea. The area is at a higher elevation near Ranchita and may have some wildflowers blooming in late March, along with cooler temperatures. High clearance or AWD vehicles will be required, so meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 7:30 am to arrange carpools. This hike will be limited to 15 people.

Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub

Hike, 6 miles, 900’ gain. The lucky people who join us on this hike will go through four, yes, four slot canyons! There are a few challenging dry waterfalls to go up and one steep, rocky area to climb. After two stops, we'll be at Calcite Mine, followed by two more stops on the way back. A really fun hike! AWD cars can drive to the start of the hike in South Palm Wash. Regular cars can park at the top and walk 0.2 miles to the start of the hike. No charge. Max 15 people. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Leader: Amy Brewster 

Hike with naturalist Amy Brewster up Glorietta Canyon, over a saddle and up a side wash to an amazing overlook of the Borrego Valley. The hike is approximately 6 miles. There are a few spots on the trail where boulders need to be navigated. Bring water and a snack and hiking poles if you choose. Meet at ABDNHA. Carpooling is encouraged. Maximum 12 persons. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks

This moderately strenuous 7-mile car-shuttle hike starts on Farmer Road and heads west through a forest of sycamore and oak. After crossing beautiful Santa Ysabel Creek, the trail climbs steeply to the ridge line at around 4000 feet. From there, we begin our descent, cross the San Diego River, and join an old pioneer trail that descends to the Santa Ysabel Preserve Nature Center. The hike is rated moderately strenuous due to steep trails (bring trekking poles if you use them), 600 feet of elevation gain, and 1,600 feet of elevation loss. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Santa Ysabel Preserve Nature Center parking lot. The entrance is on Hwy 79, 0.3 miles north of the intersection with Hwy 78 in Santa Ysabel. From there, we will carpool and shuttle to the start of the hike on Farmer Road. Following the hike, some of us may gather at the Volcan Mountain Winery at the intersection of Farmer Road and Wynola Road. No charge. Call or stop by to reserve: 760-767-3098.

Leader: Robin Halford, ABDNHA Volunteer

Most of the walking will be on trails- Mason Valley Truck Trail, and the California Riding and Hiking Trail - with a small amount of bushwhacking to the mine. This 5.9-mile hike offers a nice view of Lake Cuyamaca. The hike starts in ABDSP and finishes in Rancho Cuyamaca SP. Bring lunch/snack, hat, water, and good shoes.  Limit 10. Call or stop by to reserve: 760-767-3098. No charge.

Driving instructions: From Hwy 78 in Julian, drive South on Hwy 79 for 5.8 miles and turn left onto S1 (Sunrise Hwy). Drive 1.6 miles and turn left into the pullout for Fages Monument. We will carpool/shuttle from here to the beginning of the hike. The drive is on paved roads and ok for 2WD. This is a shuttle; all drivers must be willing to take extra passengers. Check the weather; it will be colder than the desert.

Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub

Hike, 6 miles, 2,618’ gain, strenuous. Join Carmelita and Terri on their grand finale hike for the season! This hike is only for well-conditioned hikers. We hike out and back to Coyote Peak from Rockhouse Truck Trail. Wonderful 360-degree views of Borrego Springs and beyond from the top. Well-marked use trail once we're on the ridge. The dirt road should be fine for AWD cars. Max 15 people. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.