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.

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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.

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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.

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Auto Tour: Explore Borrego Springs History

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.

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Nature Journaling (Easy)

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.

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4WD Tour: Full Moon at Font’s Point

Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer Join us for the “Worm Moon” rising as viewed from Font’s Point. The sun’s low angle should offer striking views of the Borrego badlands, Ocotillo Wells, and the Salton Sea. We will meet in the ABDNHA parking lot at 4:15 p.m. for a quick briefing, then shove off East on the S-22 to Font’s Point Wash turnoff. From there, we will travel on washboard and through some sandy washes for about 4 miles to a park less than 100 yards from the overlook. The point can be breezy. Please, check the weather and dress accordingly.  Bring a chair, camera, beverage, and snack to enjoy with the moonrise at 6:16 p.m.  We will leave Font’s Point by 7 p.m. to return to S22, where our journey ends. This portion will be at night and offer a different perspective off-road. Have a full tank of fuel and have 4WD (AWD is OK). GMRS Radio Ch. 15 is optional. This trip is weather-dependent. 22 participants, 10 vehicles max. No charge. Register at the Nature Center, or call 760-767-3098.

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4X4 Off-Roading 101 Instruction

Leader: Ken Wuytens, ABDNHA Volunteer Join us for this session demonstrating practical 4X4 equipment and tools, and how to use them. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot, then drive to a nearby location for our session, designed to provide instruction for those just starting their 4-wheeling adventures, as well as for those with moderate skill levels. We will discuss topics such as airing down, treading lightly, general trail safety, trail etiquette, basic recovery, and driving/spotting techniques. The number of people and vehicles and people is limited. Expected to fill quickly; call or visit the ABDNHA Nature Center to reserve your spot, 760-767-3098. Following the session, Ken plans a short trail ride; route to be determined. Those attending are welcome to join, with a return to Borrego Springs by approx. 3:30 p.m. If you plan to join the ride, be sure to have a full tank of gas, lunch, and water. This is a free program provided by ABDNHA, but donations are appreciated.

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Hike and Write: Glorietta Canyon (Easy to Moderate)

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 2 miles, stopping at an overlook of Borrego Valley, and then take time to write. Some sections of incline and loose rocks. Option to share your writing if the spirit moves. Please bring writing materials, such as a small notebook. Max: 10 people. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Continue ReadingHike and Write: Glorietta Canyon (Easy to Moderate)

Talk & Walk: Plants of Anza-Borrego

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.

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