Plant Amble (Easy) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Pam Blake, ABDNHA Volunteer PROGRAM IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. This is a variation on Pam’s ambles, focused on plants. We will take a leisurely stroll through the desert, discussing various plant adaptations that enable them to thrive in this challenging environment. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:30 and return by noon after a relatively short and easy walk. Call the Nature Center to reserve. Activity repeats 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Continue ReadingPlant Amble (Easy) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: “Rockhouse hike” REPLACED BY RATTLESNAKE CANYON (STRENUOUS) DUE TO FLOODING – FULL (waitlist)

Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. N.B: This hike is replaced by a hike to Rattlesnake Canyon due to flooding. Hike 8 miles, 1375’ gain. Walk up a beautiful canyon to where it ends at an interesting 25 foot dry waterfall. Have fun figuring out the best way up the canyon, as it is quite wide, and there are many different routes you could take, and many rocks to step up and around. But none of them are too difficult. No dirt driving, park right off the road. Max 15 people. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Continue ReadingHike: “Rockhouse hike” REPLACED BY RATTLESNAKE CANYON (STRENUOUS) DUE TO FLOODING – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: Mountain Palm Springs & Torote Bowl (Strenuous)

Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub Hike five miles, 800’ gain. We will hike to all six oases and Torote Bowl. Lots of endangered elephant trees and six beautiful palm groves. A bit steep and rocky to Torote Bowl. One hour, 15 minute drive to trailhead. $10 parking fee. Short, unpaved road ok for any vehicle. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 am. Bring lunch/snacks, water, good hiking shoes. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Continue ReadingHike: Mountain Palm Springs & Torote Bowl (Strenuous)

Hike: Smugglers’ Canyon Overlook & Pictographs (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Bruce Kelley, ABDNHA Volunteer HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. This hike is located in Blair Valley, off S2, and involves a 45-minute drive from the ABDNHA parking lot, with the last five miles on a jeep road that is rough in places and requires 4WD/high clearance. This is a three-mile (round-trip) hike past pictographs and a native American village to a beautiful overlook. Bring water, sunscreen, good shoes, and a 4WD vehicle. Carpooling is encouraged. Meet in the parking lot of ABDNHA no later than 7:50 am. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

Continue ReadingHike: Smugglers’ Canyon Overlook & Pictographs (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

4WD Tour: Canyon Sin Nombre-Diablo Dropoff-Fish Creek (MEMBERS PRIORITY) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer TOUR IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. Level 4 Required – 4WD High Clearance** We'll meet at 9:00 am at the south entrance to Canyon Sin Nombre, off the S2, 34 miles south of SR78 (Scissors Crossing), about 0.6 miles south of Sweeney Pass. We'll brief and air down before starting our journey within ABDSP. We'll travel 13 miles on Canyon Sin Nombre to Vallecito Creek Road, then to Arroyo Seco del Diablo, reaching the Diablo drop-off, which has both easy and challenging descents. From there, we’ll head north to Split Mountain Road, where our trip ends. Expect rocky roads, washboard, soft sand, and mild challenges. Lunch is BYO, and a stop will be made. Check the weather and dress accordingly. Bring water and a full tank of gas. GMRS channel 15 is optional. 4WD is required; no AWD. This is a members-priority trip. Visit the Nature Center or call to reserve: 760-767-3098. ** Level 4: 4WD High Clearance REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

Continue Reading4WD Tour: Canyon Sin Nombre-Diablo Dropoff-Fish Creek (MEMBERS PRIORITY) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: Casino Hike – Lots of Slots! (Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. Hike, 6 miles, 900’ gain. The lucky people who join us on this hike will go through four, yes, four slot canyons! There are a few challenging dry waterfalls to go up and one steep, rocky area to climb. After two stops, we'll be at Calcite Mine, followed by two more stops on the way back. A really fun hike! AWD cars can drive to the start of the hike in South Palm Wash. Regular cars can park at the top and walk 0.2 miles to the start of the hike. No charge. Max 15 people. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Continue ReadingHike: Casino Hike – Lots of Slots! (Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: Borrego Badlands, Billowy Loop (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. This loop hike packs a complete badlands experience in just three miles. Appetizer, main course, and dessert! Fabulous, colorful vistas, soft, rounded, billowy mud hills, and steep malpais cliffs; cross-country route-finding and meandering walks in badlands washes in which you may lose all sense of direction. If you love the feeling of being lost in the badlands, this hike will keep you smiling. The hike is rated moderate but involves walking through mud hills and loose dirt, as well as short uphill and downhill scrambles. Meet at the entrance to Palo Verde Wash (S22 mile marker 32.9, 13.7 miles east of Christmas Circle) from where we will carpool in 4WD/AWD vehicles three miles to the start of the hike. No charge. Max: 22. Call to reserve: 760-767-3098.

Continue ReadingHike: Borrego Badlands, Billowy Loop (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

4WD Tour: Culp Valley – Grapevine – Pinyon Mountain (Members Priority) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer TOUR IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. Level 4 Short Wheel Base Vehicle only ** see vehicle information Level 4 – 4WD Higher Clearance Join us for an adventure starting at ABDNHA. We’ll head west on S22, air down our tires on Culp Valley Road, and ascend to 4000 feet, taking Jasper Trail to a scenic overlook. We'll stop at Stuart Spring and the Angelina Spring Cultural Preserve. Afterward, we’ll turn south at Butler Creek Canyon and finish at Hwy 78. For part two, we'll go to Shelter Valley via Scissors Crossing and enjoy a surprise guest and potluck lunch at the Squeeze (please bring a side or dessert!). After lunch, you can return or hike to Heart Attack Hill (1.5 miles). Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot by 9 a.m. Open to Level 4 4WD vehicles only (no AWD). Ensure your vehicle is in good condition with a full tank. Check the weather and dress appropriately. The trip lasts about 5 hours. This is a member-priority trip. No charge. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. ** Level 4: 4WD Higher Clearance REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

Continue Reading4WD Tour: Culp Valley – Grapevine – Pinyon Mountain (Members Priority) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: Mecca Grotto (Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Robin Halford, ABDNHA Volunteer HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. Note the meeting location. The Mecca grotto collapsed several years ago, so this hike leads to the beginning of the now impassable slot. Expect sandy washes, views of the Salton Sea from the high point of the ridge, as well as a visit to the palm grove on Hidden Spring on the way back. The total hike distance (round trip) is 5.7 miles. No bouldering, but there are some uneven, steep sections on the ridge. Sturdy shoes recommended. Bring snack/lunch, electrolytes, water, and poles. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit 10. Driving instructions to the meeting location: Drive North on Hwy 86 and go right (east) on 66th Ave. Go over the bypass bridge and turn right (east) at the light. Drive 9.9 miles and park just past the jeep road on the right side of Box Canyon Road. We will meet here. The road is usually OK for 2WD with high clearance.

Continue ReadingHike: Mecca Grotto (Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

4WD Tour: Dave McCain Spring (Members Priority) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer   TOUR IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. Level 4 Short Wheel Base Vehicle only ** see vehicle information We meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9 a.m., then caravan to the trailhead at Fish Creek. We will drive 18 miles through deep sand in the canyon to reach our destination, where we will have lunch and explore. We will return by the same route to the paved road. Bring food and water. Wear weather-appropriate clothes, a hat, and a chair. We will be using 2-way GRMS radios on channel 15. No charge. This is a member-priority trip. Stop by or call the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098. ** Level 4: 4WD REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

Continue Reading4WD Tour: Dave McCain Spring (Members Priority) – FULL (waitlist)