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.
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer. Relaxed social ride of 20-30 miles, mostly flat, at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return times vary depending on the chosen route. FREE, every Friday. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the County Public Library.
Speaker: Alan Ehrgott
Author Alan Ehrgott’s (The Elusive Conquest of Queen Califa) fascination with Baja started in the 1970s when he hiked the entire 1050 mile length of the peninsula, following a mix of the Camino Real, the old route established by the Spanish that led from mission to mission, as well as the far more rugged route through Baja’s mountains, where isolated ranches continue to exist today. While things are far more developed along the heavily travelled Mexico Highway 1, life in the isolated ranches have changed far less. In his presentation, Alan shows parts of his original journey, and tells the story of the natural and cultural history of Baja, including the existential conflict between native tribes, Spanish conquistadors and Jesuit Priests, and he highlights points of interest such as the UNESCO Indigenous giant rock murals in the Sierra San Francisco. In the ABDNHA library. Register online or call 760-767-3098. GP $12, M $10, V $8.
Register here for the program.
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.
Speaker: Andy Blue
Andy Blue discusses a fascinating animal, the bobcat, found both in the wild and in our semi-rural community of Borrego Springs. Although bobcats are more numerous than many realize, they are more secretive than their fellow upper-tier predator, the coyote.
Andy has been a powerhouse in the zoological community for many years, working in Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, Cuba, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. He started at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park at age 16 and became a curator. He has served as Zoological Manager at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and as director of the Ramona Wildlife Center. Currently, he is the Campus Director at the San Diego Humane Society. The highlight of his job is returning rehabilitated animals to the wild. General Public: $10 at the door; Members: no charge. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Leader: Mike McElhatton, ABDNHA Education Director
Join ABDNHA’s Program Director Mike McElhatton on this month’s Full Moon Walk in South Palm Wash. Experience the unique and serene beauty of moonlight on the canyon walls as we take a 1.2-mile walk through South Palm Wash. Mostly a moderate walk, with a few areas that require “big steps” on inclines. We meet at the ABDNHA Library and carpool from there. A flashlight, water, and good hiking shoes are required. Limit 22. Activity cancels if cloud cover limits the moonlight. No charge. Call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Leader: Amy Brewster, ABDNHA Volunteer
Learn more about the unique history of Borrego Springs with historian/naturalist Amy Brewster. We will carpool to different historic sites in Borrego Valley, Old Borego, the Ensign Ranch date shack, the site of the Fortiner family ranch, and two of our resorts to learn about their origin. Meet at the ABDNHA Library for a brief introduction. (The Nature Center is the site of the former Borrego Springs Post Office.) Walking is minimal. Bring a hat, water, and a camera if you want to take pictures. No charge. Max. 14 people. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Carpooling will be strongly encouraged due to limited space at some sites.
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer. Relaxed social ride of 20-30 miles, mostly flat, at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return times vary depending on the chosen route. FREE, every Friday. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the County Public Library.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds! The BRAG club field trip is every 2nd Wed, meeting in the ABDNHA parking lot. Note: Field trips may start at 8:00 am or 9:00 am, depending on the destination. We usually try to get back to Borrego around 3:00 pm.
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer. Relaxed social ride of 20-30 miles, mostly flat, at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return times vary depending on the chosen route. FREE, every Friday. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the County Public Library.
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer. Relaxed social ride of 20-30 miles, mostly flat, at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return times vary depending on the chosen route. FREE, every Friday. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the County Public Library.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds!
The BRAG club meets every 4th Wed of the month in the Activity Room.
Note: In Nov & Dec, the meeting is on the 3rd Wed due to holidays.
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer. Relaxed social ride of 20-30 miles, mostly flat, at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return times vary depending on the chosen route. FREE, every Friday. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the County Public Library.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds! The BRAG club field trip is every 2nd Wed, meeting in the ABDNHA parking lot. Note: Field trips may start at 8:00 am or 9:00 am, depending on the destination. We usually try to get back to Borrego around 3:00 pm.
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds!
The BRAG club meets every 4th Wed of the month in the Activity Room.
Note: In Nov & Dec, the meeting is on the 3rd Wed due to holidays.
Spots are still available
Join Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association on a grand tour of Romania, one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. Romania has beautiful nature, charming medieval towns, stately castles, colorful monasteries, traditional rural areas, interesting history, and several UNESCO world heritage sites. The group will be led by geologist Don Barrie, GeoTours tour director Matt Ebiner, and an English-speaking Romanian guide.