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.
Hike: California Riding and Hiking Trail Part 1 (Moderate)
ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego SpringsHike: Juanito Canyon-Glorietta Canyon Loop (Strenuous)
ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego SpringsBirding Walk: West Shore, Salton Sea (Easy) – CANCELLED
ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego SpringsWeek of Events
Sunday, December 14, 2025
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December 14, 2025 -Hike: Torote Canyon (Moderate)
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December 14, 2025 -Short Walk in ABDNHA’s Desert Garden
Hike: Torote Canyon (Moderate)
Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie, ABDNHA Volunteers
Typically, the Torote Tree (Elephant Tree) grows only in the harshest deserts of Mexico, but we have a small population here in Anza-Borrego, its northernmost range. 3 mi RT, 600’ vertical, sandy tread with a few loose rocks and step-ups. Travel time is 75 minutes each way; not suitable for passenger cars, but okay for high-clearance all-wheel drive SUVs. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch/snacks, water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit: 10.
Short Walk in ABDNHA’s Desert Garden
Leader: Amateur Botanist Kathy Bussey
Join Kathy Bussey for a short stroll around ABDNHA’s garden, a peaceful and beautiful spot filled with desert plants from throughout the southwest deserts, trees, cacti, shrubs, and annual flowers, featuring many colorful signs and artwork. The garden begins to bloom in mid-February. Bird activity, artwork, and information panels lend additional color. The garden surface is flat, making it very easy to walk on. Meet in the ABDNHA Parking lot. Call or drop by the Nature Center to register. Also presented on Dec. 20, Jan. 11, and Jan. 25.
Monday, December 15, 2025
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December 15, 2025 -Hike: California Riding and Hiking Trail Part 1 (Moderate)
Hike: California Riding and Hiking Trail Part 1 (Moderate)
Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 7:50 a.m. to depart promptly at 8 a.m. to set up a car shuttle. We'll leave a set of cars at Culp Valley Camp, then drive up to the Jasper Trail, park the rest of the vehicles, and begin hiking. We'll hike 3 miles down the trail toward Culp Valley Camp, then turn west to explore the Peña Spring area and the top of Hellhole Canyon. Then, we’ll head back to Culp Valley and the first set of cars. We'll hike approximately 5.5 miles mostly downhill, with about 500 feet of elevation gain at the end. The route may be overgrown, making long pants, long sleeves, and hiking poles recommended. Limited to 12 people. Call the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
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December 16, 2025 -Hike: Juanito Canyon-Glorietta Canyon Loop (Strenuous)
Hike: Juanito Canyon-Glorietta Canyon Loop (Strenuous)
Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub, ABDNHA Volunteers
Hike 4 miles, 500’ gain. Hike with us cross-country up Juanito Canyon to the top. There are plenty of big rocks to scramble up and around, but nothing too difficult. Then we descend the trail through pretty Glorietta Canyon and walk 0.6 miles on the road back to the cars. Dirt road suitable for all cars. Max 15 people. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
No events on this day.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
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December 18, 2025 -Birding Walk: West Shore, Salton Sea (Easy) – CANCELLED
Birding Walk: West Shore, Salton Sea (Easy) – CANCELLED
THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED.
Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie, ABDNHA Volunteers
We will be visiting two sites along the west shore of the Salton Sea, which can be very hit-or-miss. We have been treated to a 30-minute spectacle of a Sora feeding at our feet, but occasionally, if hunters are in the area, we've seen very little. Fortunately, most of the time we see Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, Sora, Stilts, Grebes, Dowitchers, and lots of peeps, between the two sites, about 1.5 miles total walking, no elevation gain, excellent footing. Travel time in each direction is about one hour. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot by 7:50 am. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Bring lunch/snacks, water, and binoculars.
Friday, December 19, 2025
No events on this day.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
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December 20, 2025 -Short Walk in ABDNHA’s Desert Garden
Short Walk in ABDNHA’s Desert Garden
Leader: Amateur Botanist Kathy Bussey
Join Kathy Bussey for a short stroll around ABDNHA’s garden, a peaceful and beautiful spot filled with desert plants from throughout the southwest deserts, trees, cacti, shrubs, and annual flowers, featuring many colorful signs and artwork. The garden begins to bloom in mid-February. Bird activity, artwork, and information panels lend additional color. The garden surface is flat, making it very easy to walk on. Meet in the ABDNHA Parking lot. Call or drop by the Nature Center to register. Also presented on Jan. 11, and Jan. 25.