Hike: Truckhaven Rocks to Coachwhip (Moderate to Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Bruce Kelley, ABDNHA Volunteer HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist.and see if This walk will explore ancient rocks that were split from the Santa Rosa Mountains and uplifted due to tectonic action, located just northwest of S-22, near the Salton Sea. This is a moderate+ 3-mile hike mostly in Truckhaven Wash, circling behind the main rocks visible from the highway. We will leave that wash and cross a ridge to emerge in Coachwhip Canyon. The last part up and the first part down the ridge are steep. Bring water, hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes & you may want a stick (I’ll have several extras). Bring your AWD or 4WD vehicle if possible. We are going to do a shuttle hike. Meet in the parking lot of ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m.

Continue ReadingHike: Truckhaven Rocks to Coachwhip (Moderate to Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: West Truckhaven Wash (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Kathy Bussey, ABDNHA Volunteer HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. A mile east of Arroyo Salado, on the North side of S-22, lie the unique Truckhaven Rocks, a Swiss cheese sandstone formation. This 2.3-mile round-trip hike skirts the West side of the Rocks. We will walk up a sandy wash that eventually narrows between weathered sandstone walls. The hike is easy. However, there is one 3-foot dry waterfall that we need to climb up. Meet at ABDNHA and be willing to carpool. 2WD OK. Bring water, snacks, a hat, and sturdy boots. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit 18 people.

Continue ReadingHike: West Truckhaven Wash (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: Hornblende Canyon (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 8 a.m. to carpool to a parking area South of Blair Valley. Parking is limited there, so we need to take as few cars as possible. The hike up Hornblende Canyon is fairly flat in the beginning, but you'll need to be able to navigate a few small dry waterfalls until we reach a 40-foot-high dry waterfall and our turnaround point. We'll eat lunch here and then return the way we came. This hike will be limited to 15 people. Call the Nature Center to reserve.

Continue ReadingHike: Hornblende Canyon (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

Beginning Birding: Borrego Springs Resort (Easy) – FULL (waitlist)

Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie, ABDNHA Volunteers PROGRAM IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on the waitlist. If you can’t tell a sparrow from a flycatcher from a wren, this trip is for you! Instead of racking up species, we will slow down and take more time with each individual bird, learning how to identify them. We will be carrying a scope, so you’ll get a good look at what distinguishes a bird. 1.5 miles, no elevation gain, easy trail. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot by 8:50 a.m.  Bring snacks, binoculars, and water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit: 10.

Continue ReadingBeginning Birding: Borrego Springs Resort (Easy) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: Little Grand Canyon (Moderate to Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie, ABDNHA Volunteers HIKE IS FULL – PLEASE CALL ABDNHA TO GET ON WAITLIST “Little Grand Canyon” is an impressive, although small, slot canyon in Coyote Canyon, near Desert Gardens. This will be our second trip this season, this time up the canyon itself. The trail meanders up a classic slot canyon, getting continually rougher — stop when it’s too much for you. If you make it all the way, you’ll be squeezing through a low-overhead tunnel. 5 mi RT, 600’ vertical, mostly good tread, with more rocks, rubble, and step-ups near the end. Access is via a sandy road that is usually no problem for most 2WD. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch/snacks, water. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Limit: 10.

Continue ReadingHike: Little Grand Canyon (Moderate to Fairly Strenuous) – FULL (waitlist)

Hike: T-Canyon (Easy to Moderate)

Hike Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie A 3-mile hike with 400' of elevation gain up a local canyon with a "T" at the end, offering two bitter ends for the price of one. Let's call it "T-Canyon". It's located in the Desert Gardens area out Coyote Canyon. Access is via a sandy road that is usually no problem for most 2WD. Bring lunch/snacks and water. Limit 10. Meet at 7:50 a.m. at ABDNHA.

Continue ReadingHike: T-Canyon (Easy to Moderate)

Birding Walk: West Shore, Salton Sea (Easy) – CANCELLED

THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED. Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie, ABDNHA Volunteers We will be visiting two sites along the west shore of the Salton Sea, which can be very hit-or-miss. We have been treated to a 30-minute spectacle of a Sora feeding at our feet, but occasionally, if hunters are in the area, we've seen very little. Fortunately, most of the time we see Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, Sora, Stilts, Grebes, Dowitchers, and lots of peeps, between the two sites, about 1.5 miles total walking, no elevation gain, excellent footing. Travel time in each direction is about one hour.  Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot by 7:50 am. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Bring lunch/snacks, water, and binoculars.

Continue ReadingBirding Walk: West Shore, Salton Sea (Easy) – CANCELLED

Full Moon Walk: South Palm Wash (Easy)

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.

Continue ReadingFull Moon Walk: South Palm Wash (Easy)

Hike: California Riding and Hiking Trail Part 1 (Moderate)

Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 7:50 a.m. to depart promptly at 8 a.m. to set up a car shuttle. We'll leave a set of cars at Culp Valley Camp, then drive up to the Jasper Trail, park the rest of the vehicles, and begin hiking. We'll hike 3 miles down the trail toward Culp Valley Camp, then turn west to explore the Peña Spring area and the top of Hellhole Canyon. Then, we’ll head back to Culp Valley and the first set of cars. We'll hike approximately 5.5 miles mostly downhill, with about 500 feet of elevation gain at the end. The route may be overgrown, making long pants, long sleeves, and hiking poles recommended. Limited to 12 people. Call the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098.

Continue ReadingHike: California Riding and Hiking Trail Part 1 (Moderate)

Hike: Crazycline Canyon Loop (Strenuous)

Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub Hike: 5.0 miles, 1000' gain. A very rocky and interesting canyon. Plenty of rocks and dry waterfalls to go up, over, and around. Many synclines and anticlines, hence the canyon's name. High clearance vehicles recommended. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks/lunch, water, good hiking shoes, and a good attitude. (Hike statistics subject to change based on group, weather, or other factors.)

Continue ReadingHike: Crazycline Canyon Loop (Strenuous)