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, April 12, 2026
No events on this day.
Monday, April 13, 2026
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April 13, 2026 -Borrego Birders Weekly Walk (Easy)
Borrego Birders Weekly Walk (Easy)
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. This week, we'll visit the hawkwatch morning site, since the hawkwatch is not officially over until April 15. Then, we'll continue our search for other spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
No events on this day.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
No events on this day.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
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April 16, 2026 -Webinar: Rattlesnakes of Anza-Borrego
Webinar: Rattlesnakes of Anza-Borrego
Eric Dugan, Herpetologist
In this webinar, Eric Dugan will describe the rattlesnakes found in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with information about the habitats where each of them exists. He will also talk about a dietary study he has been working on for the past ten years. No charge, but donations are welcome.
Register here for the webinar.
Friday, April 17, 2026
No events on this day.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
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April 18, 2026 -Hike: Volcan Mountain Preserve (Fairly Strenuous)
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April 18, 2026 -4WD Tour: BBQ at the Calcite Mine – FULL (Waitlist)
Hike: Volcan Mountain Preserve (Fairly Strenuous)
Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
This hike is a 5.6-mile round trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain. We'll hike up the main trail to the summit, then take the Five Oaks Trail on the way down. This hike is rated Moderately Strenuous for hiking steep hills to the summit and rocky terrain on the Five Oaks Trail. Bring 1 to 2 liters of water and snacks. Wear comfortable hiking boots with good tread. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m to arrange carpool. People driving from San Diego can meet us at Farmer's Rd at the trailhead at 8:45. After the hike, we could stop for lunch in Julian before returning to Borrego Springs. Call 760-767-3098 or come in to reserve. No charge. Max 15 people.
4WD Tour: BBQ at the Calcite Mine – FULL (Waitlist)
Leader: Ed Pollock, ABDNHA Volunteer
*** THIS PROGRAM IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA AT 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist ***
We meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:00a.m., then drive Highway S22 to the Calcite Mine turnoff at South Palm Wash, just before the county line. At the bottom of the hill, there's time for an optional guided hike into Palm Wash slot canyon - the site of Mike McElhatton's popular full moon hikes. Afterward, we regroup and drive to historic Calcite Mine, a couple of uphill miles on a fairly easy dirt road, with some narrow shelf driving and sharp turns on this scenic route. At the mine, there's time for individual exploration.
This is the last BBQ trip of the season. Meat and utensils are supplied. If you wish, bring a side dish to share and your own drinks. Camp chairs and small camp tables are helpful.
All properly functioning AWD vehicles are welcome; full gas tank and extra water are required.
After our meal, we regroup and return to Hwy S22, where the trip ends. We should be back in Borrego at 4 pm.
No charge. Call or visit ABDNHA Nature Center 760-767-3098 to reserve.