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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leader: Bruce Kelley Hornblende canyon is a beautiful canyon with interesting rock features along the way. This is also one of the best places in the park to see Dudleya. (See the Dudleya Presentation on March 13.) This beautiful succulent grows in several places along Hornblende Canyon. Meet in the parking lot of ABDNHA no later than 7:50 a.m. Call the Nature Center to reserve.
ABDNHA Member-priority trip Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer We meet at ABDNHA parking lot at 9 a.m. We will caravan to the Banner Store at 36342 Hwy 78, then enter the trail there. We will travel along and across Chariot Creek and take a break above Oriflamme Canyon. We proceed on the trail into the canyon, where we take lunch at the abandoned CCC Camp. After lunch, we enter the Vallecito Wash and exit the trail at Box Canyon and the S2 highway. Bring water, food, snacks, a chair, a hat, and weather-appropriate clothing. We will be communicating on GRMS channel 15.