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, March 22, 2026
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March 22, 2026 -The Birds of Anza-Borrego: Two Days of Birding Field Trips
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March 22, 2026 -Photography: Around Town Photo Walk
The Birds of Anza-Borrego: Two Days of Birding Field Trips
Leader: Kurt Leuschner, Professor of Natural Science, College of the Desert
This is an excellent opportunity to go with Kurt Leuschner, one of this region’s best birding guides. Kurt will have a number of great spots to visit each day, driving in and around the Anza-Borrego Desert. This program also includes an introductory webinar on March 17. There is no fee for this program; donations are welcome. Max. 15 people; this will fill quickly. Call or visit the ABDNHA Nature Center, 760-767-3098, to register.
Mar. 21, Sat., 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. & Mar. 22, Sun., 7:30 a.m. – Noon
Photography: Around Town Photo Walk
Leader: Photographer Tom Hogan
Join local photographer Tom Hogan for a casual walk around town as he and the group find interesting subjects and photograph them 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 to reserve.
Monday, March 23, 2026
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March 23, 2026 -Hike: Golden Queen Mine Shuttle (Fairly Easy)
Hike: Golden Queen Mine Shuttle (Fairly Easy)
Leader: Robin Halford, ABDNHA Volunteer
Most of the walking will be on trails- Mason Valley Truck Trail, and the California Riding and Hiking Trail - with a small amount of bushwhacking to the mine. This 5.9-mile hike offers a nice view of Lake Cuyamaca. The hike starts in ABDSP and finishes in Rancho Cuyamaca SP. Bring lunch/snack, hat, water, and good shoes. Limit 10. Call or stop by to reserve: 760-767-3098. No charge.
Driving instructions: From Hwy 78 in Julian, drive South on Hwy 79 for 5.8 miles and turn left onto S1 (Sunrise Hwy). Drive 1.6 miles and turn left into the pullout for Fages Monument. We will carpool/shuttle from here to the beginning of the hike. The drive is on paved roads and ok for 2WD. This is a shuttle; all drivers must be willing to take extra passengers. Check the weather; it will be colder than the desert.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
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March 24, 2026 -Hike: Coyote Peak (Strenuous)
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March 24, 2026 -Poetry in the ABDNHA Desert Garden
Hike: Coyote Peak (Strenuous)
Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub
Hike, 6 miles, 2,618’ gain, strenuous. Join Carmelita and Terri on their grand finale hike for the season! This hike is only for well-conditioned hikers. We hike out and back to Coyote Peak from Rockhouse Truck Trail. Wonderful 360-degree views of Borrego Springs and beyond from the top. Well-marked use trail once we're on the ridge. The dirt road should be fine for AWD cars. Max 15 people. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Poetry in the ABDNHA Desert Garden
Leader: Amy Brewster
Join writer/naturalist Amy Brewster in the lovely ABDNHA garden for an hour of poetry or prose. Bring your own writing or a piece by an author you love. Amy encourages you to bring writing about the beauty of wild places, especially the desert. 12 people max. No charge. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
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March 25, 2026 -Borrego Rock & Gem Club (BRAG) Meeting
Borrego Rock & Gem Club (BRAG) Meeting
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.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
No events on this day.
Friday, March 27, 2026
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March 27, 2026 -ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
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March 27, 2026 -Program: The Trail Less Traveled – Baja
ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
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.
Program: The Trail Less Traveled – Baja
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.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
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March 28, 2026 -Hike: Exploring Coyote Canyon
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Featured March 28, 2026 -Featured ABDNHA Desert Lecture Series: Bobcats in the Neighborhood
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.
ABDNHA Desert Lecture Series: Bobcats in the Neighborhood
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.