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: Truckhaven Rocks to Coachwhip (Moderate to Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)
ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego SpringsBirding Walk Salton Sea Unit 1 Vendal Rd. (Easy)
ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego SpringsWeek of Events
Sunday, January 11, 2026
-
January 11, 2026 -Hike: Sentenac Mountain Loop (Strenuous)
-
January 11, 2026 -Short Walk in ABDNHA’s Desert Garden
Hike: Sentenac Mountain Loop (Strenuous)
Leader: Tom Keffer, ABDNHA Volunteer
We start with a pleasant hike up well-shaded Plum Canyon, but then after a mile, we’ll head off-trail up a rough canyon, heading for the summit of Sentenac Mountain. The views on top are sweeping. The descent rejoins the Plum Canyon trail about a half mile from the parking area. 3 mi. RT, 800’ vertical. Steep with an occasional cholla. Sandy 1.5-mile access road, suitable for most 2WD. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Wear sturdy boots (no tennies!) and long pants. Bring lunch/snacks, water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit 10 people.
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. 25.
Monday, January 12, 2026
-
January 12, 2026 -Hike: Truckhaven Rocks to Coachwhip (Moderate to Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)
Hike: Truckhaven Rocks to Coachwhip (Moderate to Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)
Leader: Bruce Kelley, ABDNHA Volunteer
HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist.
This walk will explore ancient rocks that were split from the Santa Rosa Mountains and uplifted due to tectonic action, located just northwest of S-22, near the Salton Sea. This is a moderate+ 3-mile hike mostly in Truckhaven Wash, circling behind the main rocks visible from the highway. We will leave that wash and cross a ridge to emerge in Coachwhip Canyon. The last part up and the first part down the ridge are steep. Bring water, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes & you may want a stick (I’ll have several extras). Bring your AWD or 4WD vehicle if possible. We are going to do a shuttle hike. Meet in the parking lot of ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
-
January 13, 2026 -Plant Amble (Easy) – FULL (waitlist)
Plant Amble (Easy) – FULL (waitlist)
Leader: Pam Blake, ABDNHA Volunteer
PROGRAM IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist.
This is a variation on Pam’s ambles, focused on plants. We will take a leisurely stroll through the desert, discussing various plant adaptations that enable them to thrive in this challenging environment. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:30 and return by noon after a relatively short and easy walk. Call the Nature Center to reserve. Activity repeats 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
No events on this day.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
-
January 15, 2026 -Birding Walk Salton Sea Unit 1 Vendal Rd. (Easy)
Birding Walk Salton Sea Unit 1 Vendal Rd. (Easy)
Trip Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie
Today we head to one of the best birding locations in our region: Unit 1 of the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Expect Shovelers, Teals, Stilts, Avocet, Godwit, Dowitchers, thousands of Snow Geese and more. Easy walk of 2 miles RT, no elevation, good tread. Travel time 1 hour each way. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch/snacks, binoculars, water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit: 10
Friday, January 16, 2026
No events on this day.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
-
January 17, 2026 -Borrego Walkabout (Easy)
Borrego Walkabout (Easy)
Leaders: Selden McKee and Mike McElhatton
Get a little exercise, take some photos, learn the history, and hear the stories behind the buildings and places in this tiny desert town we all love so much - Borrego Springs. We will start at ABDNHA and cover approximately 1.5 miles, all of which is flat. Wear comfortable walking shoes. No charge, but pre-registration is required at ABDNHA's Nature Center, 760-767-3098.