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.
Week of Events
Sunday, February 22, 2026
No events on this day.
Monday, February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 -Hike: West Butte (Moderately Strenuous)
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February 23, 2026 -Hike: Blake Hill Loop (Very Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)
Hike: West Butte (Moderately Strenuous)
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.
Hike: Blake Hill Loop (Very Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)
Leader: Robin Halford
Hike is FULL - please call ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist
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.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
No events on this day.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
No events on this day.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
No events on this day.
Friday, February 27, 2026
No events on this day.
Saturday, February 28, 2026
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February 28, 2026 -Hike: Exploring Coyote Canyon
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February 28, 2026 -Around Town Photo Walk
Hike: Exploring Coyote Canyon
Leader: Marlin Burke, Naturalist Volunteer
We meet at ABDNHA and then carpool to Coyote Creek, where we explore the history of Native Americans and early settlers, geology, paleontology, Plant life, Coyote Creek itself, and whatever else catches our attention. Easy walking; driving on a dirt road. High clearance 2WD or SUV acceptable due to dirt road with possible rocks or potholes. No charge, but registration is required. Call or visit the ABDNHA Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Around Town Photo Walk
Leader: Professional Photographer Sandy Zelasko
Join Sandy Zelasko, for this casual walk around town as she and the group find interesting subject matter and photograph it in different ways. This is open to all experience levels and all levels of equipment, including smartphone cameras. Meet at ABDNHA. No charge, but registration is required. Call 760-767-3098 or visit the Nature Center.