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.
4WD Tour: Gas Domes–Shell Reef–Pumpkin Patch–OWSVRA (Members Priority)
Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
Level 4 – 4WD Higher Clearance
We will explore points of interest in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA and ABDSP. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot by 8:30 a.m. for a briefing before caravanning to Pole Line Road off SR 78, where we air down and begin our journey. Restrooms are available here, as well as our lunch spot at the Pumpkin Patch. We will wind our way north and west through the SVRA. There are 6 features on our route, and we will stop at as many as we have time for, including the artesian well, gas domes, Shell Reef, Pumpkin Patch, 5 Palms, and 17 Palms Oasis. Our trip ends when we exit the park at Arroyo Salado at S22, 17 miles east of Borrego Springs. Road conditions vary from hardpan and washboard to mildly rocky, to some easy hills and soft sandy washes. We will cover about 28 miles with a total elevation gain of about 880 feet. Lunch is BYO. 4WD only and a full tank of gas. GMRS channel 15 is optional. Check the weather and dress accordingly. No fee. Space is limited. Call to reserve 760-767-3098.
