Mar. 15, Sun., 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Hike: Hot Springs Mountain (Strenuous)  Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks Join us for this steep 10-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Hot Springs Mountain. At 6535 feet, Hot Springs Mountain is the highest peak in San Diego County, 21 feet higher than Cuyamaca. The total elevation gain/loss is 2200 feet. Most of the hike is on a graded dirt road to an old fire tower. After the tower, an easy uphill trail leads to the peak boulder. Climbing the peak boulder is a nice challenge and a rewarding experience. 360-degree views from the peak looking out to San Gorgonio and San Jacinto to the north, Mt. Palomar and Mt. Cuyamaca to the west and south, and Toro Peak, Anza-Borrego, and Salton Sea to the east. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Meet at 8 a.m. at the intersection of S2 and Highway 79. No charge. 760-767-3098, or stop by to reserve. Note: The hike and peak are on the Los Coyotes Reservation, and a $10 fee is payable in cash at the entrance station.

Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer Join me for an 11-mile RT hike on the Old Wilson Trail from Old Culp Valley Rd to the Overlook, then up to the Wilson Benchmark. This is a fun hike with 800 ft of elevation gain and loss. With lots of rolling hills, it never gets steep anywhere along the way. We'll have a rewarding view at the Overlook and the top of the Wilson Benchmark of Grapevine Canyon and the Salton Sea. The area is at a higher elevation near Ranchita and may have some wildflowers blooming in late March, along with cooler temperatures. High clearance or AWD vehicles will be required, so meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 7:30 am to arrange carpools. This hike will be limited to 15 people.

Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 8 a.m. to drive to the slot parking area. This area has a day-use fee, so we'll try to take as few cars as possible. Starting out from the parking area, we'll follow the ridge and climb up to West Butte to admire the view of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Salton Sea, and the Vallecito Mountains. We backtrack a bit after the summit and follow an informal trail down to Borrego Mountain Wash. We'll follow the wash to the bottom of The Slot and climb up to the parking area to finish our outing. Expect a 5-mile hike with 700 ft of elevation gain and loss. This trip will be limited to 15 people. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Leader: Mike McElhatton, ABDNHA Education Director Join ABDNHA’s Program Director Mike McElhatton on this month’s Full Moon Walk in South Palm Wash. Experience the unique and serene beauty of moonlight on the canyon walls as we take a 1.5-mile walk through South Palm Wash. Mostly a fairly easy walk, with a few moderate areas that require “big steps” on inclines. We meet at the ABDNHA Library and carpool from there. A flashlight, water, and good hiking shoes are required. Limit 22. Activity cancels if cloud cover limits the moonlight. No charge. Call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks This moderately strenuous 7-mile car-shuttle hike starts on Farmer Road and heads west through a forest of sycamore and oak. After crossing beautiful Santa Ysabel Creek, the trail climbs steeply to the ridge line at around 4000 feet. From there, we begin our descent, cross the San Diego River, and join an old pioneer trail that descends to the Santa Ysabel Preserve Nature Center. The hike is rated moderately strenuous due to steep trails (bring trekking poles if you use them), 600 feet of elevation gain, and 1,600 feet of elevation loss. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Santa Ysabel Preserve Nature Center parking lot. The entrance is on Hwy 79, 0.3 miles north of the intersection with Hwy 78 in Santa Ysabel. From there, we will carpool and shuttle to the start of the hike on Farmer Road. Following the hike, some of us may gather at the Volcan Mountain Winery at the intersection of Farmer Road and Wynola Road. No charge. Call or stop by to reserve: 760-767-3098.

Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks PROGRAM IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. We will take the east fork of Truckhaven Wash. At about three-quarters of a mile, we will come to a boulder blockage that we will crawl our way through. An easy scramble then takes us over to Arroyo Salado. We will do an out-and-back exploration of this lightly visited portion of Arroyo Salado. On the way back, we will climb out of Arroyo Salado and visit the Elephant, a Native American solstice site. Here, you will have an opportunity to scale some of the iconic uplifted slanting Truckhaven Rocks. We complete the lollipop by returning via the east fork of Truckhaven. This six-mile hike is rated moderate, with one place where you will have to get down on your hands and knees. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Meet at 8:30 am at the ABDNHA Nature Center. We will carpool to the trailhead, as parking on the shoulder at Truckhaven Wash is limited. Max: 22. No charge, call or stop by to reserve, 760-767-3098.

Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks Join us on this moderate seven-mile loop hike as we experience badlands vistas from three iconic Borrego Badlands viewpoints: The Bench, Font's Point, and Inspiration Point. As a bonus, we will examine a prominence that Bill Sullivan dubbed Pointed Hill and contemplate routes to the top. The hike route is cross-country and through lightly trodden washes around Font’s Wash and Inspiration Wash. There are a couple of short scrambles. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Meet at 8:00 am at the entrance to Inspiration Wash (S22 mile 28.4, 9.2 miles east of Christmas Circle) from where we will carpool in 4WD/AWD vehicles a short distance to the start of the hike. Max: 22. No charge; call or stop by the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098.