Hike: Moonlight Canyon & Inner Pasture Overlook (Fairly Strenuous)
2026-01-25 08:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Tom Keffer, ABDNHA Volunteer
This year, we will be hiking the Moonlight Canyon loop. Halfway around, we’ll take a three-mile round-trip side trail (four to six-foot waterfalls, uneven footing, steep sections) to a terrific view of the Inner Pasture. Five miles round-trip, 900’ vertical. Park fee $5. Travel time is one hour each way. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot by 7:50 am. Wear sturdy boots (not tennis shoes). Bring lunch/snacks & water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit: 10.

Field Trip: Geology of San Diego County’s Peninsular Ranges - FULL (waitlist)
2026-01-25 09:00 - 15:00
Special Earth Science Series!
FIELD TRIP IS FULL – PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist
Leader: Geologist Don Barrie
Note the start and end locations detailed below. Don will lead the group on an exploration of the rocks along Sunrise Hwy., west of Borrego Springs. The rocks in this area comprise part of a regional geologic suite known as the Peninsular Ranges Batholith (PRB), which extends from southern Baja, California, northward into the Palm Springs area. We’ll meet near the intersection of Sunrise Hwy. and Interstate 8, then follow Sunrise Hwy. into the Laguna Mountains, stopping to examine rock exposures along the way. The last stop will be in Julian, where the group will tour the Eagle/High Peak gold mine and learn about the gold rush in Julian during the 1870s. On the field trip, we’ll discuss the geologic story of how the gold got into the rocks. During the gold mine tour, we’ll learn how hard-rock miners got the gold out of the rocks. To register, go to www.abdnha.org, or call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098. General Public: $20, Members: $14, Volunteers: $10. Please note that an additional $14 entrance fee per person is required, payable upon entry to the mine.
Start and end locations details: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Sun., Jan. 25, ending at the Eagle-High Peak mine in Julian. Meet at 9:00 am along Sunrise Hwy. (County Rd. S1), about 1/4-mile north of the Interstate 8 Sunrise Hwy. exit, in a dirt parking area along the east side of the road. Bring lunch and water. 2WD okay. Please check the local weather in Mt. Laguna and dress accordingly (it may be chilly). Carpooling is highly recommended. Heavy rain or snow cancels. The trip ends at the Eagle-High Peak Mine in Julian.

Short Walk in ABDNHA's Desert Garden
2026-01-25 13:00 - 13:30 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Amateur Botanist Kathy Bussey
Join Kathy Bussey for a short stroll around ABDNHA’s desert 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.

Hike: Mecca Grotto (Fairly Strenuous) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-01-26 08:30 - 12:00
Leader: Robin Halford, ABDNHA Volunteer
Note the meeting location detailed below. The Mecca grotto collapsed several years ago, so this hike leads to the beginning of the now impassable slot. Expect sandy washes, views of the Salton Sea from the high point of the ridge, as well as a visit to the palm grove on Hidden Spring on the way back. The total hike distance (round-trip) is 5.7 miles. No bouldering, but there are some uneven, steep sections on the ridge. Sturdy shoes recommended. Bring snack/lunch, electrolytes, water, and poles. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit 10.
Driving instructions to the meeting location: 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 9.9 miles and park just past the jeep road on the right side of Box Canyon Rd. We will meet here. The road is usually OK for 2WD with high clearance.

Borrego Rock & Gem Club (BRAG) Meeting
2026-01-28 14:00 - 15:00
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.

Hike: T-Canyon (Easy to Moderate)
2026-01-29 08:00 - 12:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Hike Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie
A 3-mile hike with 400′ of elevation gain up a local canyon with a “T” at the end, offering two bitter ends for the price of one. Let’s call it “T-Canyon”. It’s located in the Desert Gardens area out Coyote Canyon. Access is via a sandy road that is usually no problem for most 2WD. Bring lunch/snacks and water. Limit 10. Meet at 7:50 a.m. at ABDNHA.

4WD Tour: Culp Valley - Grapevine - Pinyon Mountain (Members Priority) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-01-29 09:00 - 14:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
Level 4 Required – 4WD Higher Clearance**
Join us for an adventure starting at ABDNHA. We’ll head west on S22, air down our tires on Culp Valley Rd., and ascend to 4000 feet, taking Jasper Trail to a scenic overlook. We’ll stop at Stuart Spring and the Angelina Spring Cultural Preserve. Afterward, we’ll turn south at Butler Creek Canyon and finish at Hwy. 78. For part two, we’ll go to Shelter Valley via Scissors Crossing and enjoy a surprise guest and potluck lunch at the Squeeze (please bring a side or dessert!). After lunch, you can return or hike to Heart Attack Hill (1.5 miles).
Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot by 9:00 am. Open to Level 4 4WD vehicles only (no AWD). Ensure your vehicle is in good condition with a full tank of gas. Check the weather and dress appropriately. The trip lasts about five hours. This is a member-priority trip. No charge. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.
**Level 4: 4WD Higher Clearance REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

Hike: Borrego Badlands, Billowy Loop (Moderate) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-01-30 08:30 - 12:00
Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks
This loop hike packs a complete badlands experience in just three miles. Appetizer, main course, and dessert! Fabulous, colorful vistas, soft, rounded, billowy mud hills, and steep malpais cliffs; cross-country route-finding and meandering walks in badlands washes in which you may lose all sense of direction. If you love the feeling of being lost in the badlands, this hike will keep you smiling. The hike is rated moderate but involves walking through mud hills and loose dirt, as well as short uphill and downhill scrambles. Meet at the entrance to Palo Verde Wash (S22 mile marker 32.9, 13.7 miles east of Christmas Circle) from where we will carpool in 4WD/AWD vehicles three miles to the start of the hike. No charge. Max: 22. Call to reserve: 760-767-3098.

ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
2026-01-30 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-06 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Hawkwatch Training Session 1
2026-01-30 15:00 - 17:00 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
First training session in preparation for the 2026 Borrego Springs Hawkwatch that will begin on Feb. 20. We will begin inside at the ABDNHA Library, followed by a visit to the viewing sites. All are welcome — those interested in finding out more, as well as new and returning volunteers. Please sign up at hawkwatchborregosprings@gmail.com and abdnha2@att.net. Eyes to the sky!

Lecture: The Urban Ecosystem
2026-01-30 18:30 - 19:30 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Speaker: Rachel Larsen, Ph.D.
As cities around the world continue to grow, they are increasingly recognized for their potential to incorporate wildlife habitats into the urban environment. Wildlife in cities offers city dwellers a better quality of life by connecting them with nature. Our speaker, Dr. Rachel Larson, is a scientist at the San Diego Natural History Museum and an urban ecologist. She will share insights from her research on what makes cities unique ecosystems, how wild animals are trying to make a living alongside us, and what it will take better to incorporate nature into the world’s concrete jungles. In the ABDNHA Library. General Public: $12, Members: $10, Volunteers: $8. You can register online at abdnha.org or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.

Get Tickets

Lecture: The Birds of the Salton Sea
2026-01-31 18:30 - 19:30 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Speaker: Kurt Leuschner, Natural Sciences Professor, College of the Desert
Join expert birder Kurt Leuschner as he tells the fascinating story of the diverse species of resident and migratory birds that live and visit the Salton Sea. In the ABDNHA Library. General Public: $12, Members: $10, Volunteers: $8. You can register online or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.

Get Tickets

Field Trip: The Birds & Other Wonders of the Salton Sea - FULL (waitlist)
2026-02-01 07:30 - 15:30 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
FIELD TRIP IS FULL – PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist.
Leader: Kurt Leuschner, College of the Desert
Meet at 7:30 am in the ABDNHA parking lot for carpooling. Bring a lunch and full tank of gas. We will explore the south end of the Salton Sea, stopping at various sites along the way, including Ocotillo Wells Discovery Center, Vendel Road (Unit One), Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters for lunch, Garst Road near Red Hill Marina, the mud volcanoes, and more. Return to Borrego Springs around 3-4 pm. General Public: $20, Members: $16, Volunteers: $12. You can register online at www.abdnha.org or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.

Get Tickets

Full Moon Walk: South Palm Wash (Easy)
2026-02-02 18:00 - 21:00 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
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 1.5-mile walk through South Palm Wash. Mostly a fairly easy walk, with a few moderate 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.

Hike: Casino Hike - Lots of Slots! (Strenuous) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-02-03 08:00 - 15:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub
Hike, six 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 am. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Nature Journaling (Easy)
2026-02-03 09:00 - 12:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leaders: Pat Matthews and Selden McKee, ABDNHA Volunteers
This activity repeats on the first Tuesdays of the month to explore nature journaling in the ABDNHA garden and in the field until noon. No experience necessary — just a curiosity about the natural world. Participants will need a small, unlined journal, a pencil, an eraser, a micron pen, colored pencils or a compact watercolor set, and a chair. We will be outdoors, so a sun hat, water, and a snack are recommended. Meet in the parking lot of ABDNHA. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

Hike: Bitter Creek Spring (Moderate) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-02-05 08:00 - 10:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Trip Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie
There are only a handful of year-round springs in the Anza-Borrego park and we will be hiking to one of them. Located up Grapevine Canyon, Bitter Creek Spring is tiny, but remote and delightful. It often attracts many birds and other wildlife. With luck, we may also see some desert blooms. 3 mi RT, 500’ vertical. Sandy 2 mi access road, suitable for most SUVs. Optional side trip to visit Angelina Springs, 2.5 mi farther up the road. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot by 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit 10.

Hike & Write: Glorietta Canyon (Easy to Moderate) - FULL (Waitlist)
2026-02-06 09:00 - 12:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
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 two miles, stopping at an overlook of Borrego Valley, and then take time to write. Option to share your writing if the spirit moves. Please bring writing materials, such as a small notebook. Please note that the hike route has some sections of incline and loose rocks. Max: 10 people. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

ABDNHA Travel Series: Romania Travelogue - Beautiful Landscapes and Complex Identities
2026-02-06 18:30 - 20:30 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Speaker: Don Barrie, ABDNHA Board Member
Join Geologist, traveler, and photographer Don Barrie for this fascinating recap of his recent trip to Romania. Last summer, Don traveled to Romania for two weeks as a photographer for the Global Neighborhood Project, a San Diego-based organization dedicated to citizen diplomacy. During the trip, he met with students and faculty at a Hungarian-language school in Romania’s Transylvania region. He also photographed locals in a remote farming village outside Brasov, Romania, as they shared their stories and explained their way of life. For this informal talk, Don will share his photographs and his overall first impressions of this land of striking beauty and rich history. In the ABDNHA Library. General Public: $12, Members: $10, Volunteers: $8. Register online at abdnha.org or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.

Plants of Anza-Borrego - FULL (waitlist)
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Don Rideout, Coordinator, Desert Botany Club
Short Lecture and Field Trip (Easy walk, okay for all vehicles)
An offering of the new Botany Club, these walks will focus on the plants of Anza-Borrego Desert, with locations varying depending on where we find the most interesting plants. Our pace will be generally slow, allowing plenty of time for plant identification, questions, discussion, and photography. All levels of knowledge are welcome, including children. Meet at ABDNHA; carpool as best we can, as we head to the field trip site. No Charge. Space is limited. Register at the Nature Center or call 760-767-3098.

Borrego Astronomy Club Meeting
2026-02-07 15:30 - 17:30
During this club meeting, we will visit the viewing locations of three club members involved with astrophotography to see the equipment they use and share information. This is an advanced activity for club members and others involved in astrophotography, or those looking to get started. No fee, but register with the Nature Center if you plan to attend so we know how many people to expect. 760-767-3098.

Lecture: Applied Earth Science - The Rare Earth Elements
2026-02-07 18:30 - 19:30 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Speaker: Madhukar (Maud) Rao, Ph.D.
Rare earth elements have been very much in the news recently, but what exactly are they? What are they used for? Why are they so uniquely essential? Where do they come from? How are they processed? And, why does the U.S. import about 80 percent of them, despite their importance? Dr. Rao is a retired Chemical Engineer and currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for Workforce Development at Innovation Impact Partners, LLC. He has more than 36 years of industrial R&D experience with major chemical and semiconductor materials companies. Maud volunteers as a math and science teacher and as a docent at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and enjoys engineering, history, and teaching. In the ABDNHA Library. General Public: $12, Members: $10, ABDNHA Volunteers: $8. Register at abdnha.org or the Nature Center at 760-767-3098.

Hike: Borrego Badlands, The Trifecta (Moderate to Strenuous)
2026-02-08 08:00 - 14:00
Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks
Join us on this moderate seven-mile loop hike as we experience badlands vistas from three iconic Borrego Badlands viewpoints: The Bench, Font’s Point, and Inspiration Point. As a bonus, we will examine a prominence that Bill Sullivan dubbed Pointed Hill and contemplate routes to the top. The hike route is cross-country and through lightly trodden washes around Font’s Wash and Inspiration Wash. There are a couple of short scrambles. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Meet at 8:00 am at the entrance to Inspiration Wash (S22 mile 28.4, 9.2 miles east of Christmas Circle) from where we will carpool in 4WD/AWD vehicles a short distance to the start of the hike. Max: 22. No charge; call or stop by the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098.

Hike: The Bench (Moderate) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-02-08 08:30 - 11:30 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Kathy Bussey, ABDNHA Volunteer
Surround yourself with the natural beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Clark Dry Lake, and the Borrego Badlands on this easy 2.5-mile round-trip hike. We will drive up Inspiration Wash, then hike up an unnamed wash to the man-made memorial bench for a 360-degree view. It is an easy hike, except for the final short ascent up a sandy wash to the bench. AWD or 4WD OK. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool. No charge; call or stop by the Nature Center to reserve.

Hike: Box Canyon to Feldman Mine (Strenuous) - CANCELLED
2026-02-09 07:30 - 16:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Rachel Rench
Please meet at 7:30 A.M. at the ABDNHA parking lot to arrange carpools to our parking area in Mason Valley. We’ll follow the historic Box Canyon route used by the Mormon Battalion, the Southern Overland Stage route, Gold Rush explorers, and finally part of the California Riding and Hiking Trail. And now, you! Before we reach Blair Valley, we’ll climb out of the canyon and up to the old Feldman Mine. After a lunch break, we’ll return the way we came. This hike is 6.25 miles long, with a 900 ft elevation gain, and will be limited to 15 people. No charge, but registration is required. Call to reserve at 760-767-3098.

Plant Amble (Easy) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-02-10 09:30 - 12:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Pam Blake, ABDNHA Volunteer
This is a variation on Pam’s ambles, focused on plants. We will enjoy a stroll through the desert, discussing different plant adaptations to living in this challenging environment. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:30 am, and be back before noon after a relatively short, easy walk. Call the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098. Activity repeats 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Borrego Rock & Gem Club (BRAG) Field Trip
2026-02-11
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.

4WD Tour: Canyon Sin Nombre-Diablo Dropoff-Fish Creek (MEMBERS PRIORITY) - FULL (waitlist)
2026-02-11 09:00 - 14:00
Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
Level 4 Required – 4WD High Clearance**
We’ll meet at 9:00 am at the south entrance to Canyon Sin Nombre, off the S2, 34 miles south of SR78 (Scissors Crossing), about 0.6 miles south of Sweeney Pass. We’ll brief and air down before starting our journey within ABDSP. We’ll travel 13 miles on Canyon Sin Nombre to Vallecito Creek Road, then to Arroyo Seco del Diablo, reaching the Diablo drop-off, which has both easy and challenging descents. From there, we’ll head north to Split Mountain Road, where our trip ends. Expect rocky roads, washboard, soft sand, and mild challenges. Lunch is BYO, and a stop will be made. Check the weather and dress accordingly. Bring water and a full tank of gas. GMRS channel 15 is optional. 4WD is required; no AWD. This is a members-priority trip. Visit the Nature Center or call to reserve: 760-767-3098.
** Level 4: 4WD High Clearance REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

Webinar: Geology of San Diego County’s Peninsular Ranges - POSTPONED
2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
This presentation is postponed to a later date. The new date will be posted here as soon as possible
Speaker: Geologist Don Barrie
Please join Mesa College geology professor and ABDNHA board member, Don Barrie, for his repeat lecture on San Diego County’s Peninsular Ranges, with emphasis on the Laguna Mountains west of Borrego Springs. Don’s lecture will focus on how plate tectonic processes have created the complex collage of igneous and metamorphic rocks exposed both regionally, throughout southeastern California, and locally, in the Lagunas. GP $12, M $10, V $8 (per connection).
