Upcoming Events

Returning Volunteer Agreement Signing + Updates

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

We need RETURNING volunteers (those who have attended a general volunteer orientation) to attend ONE session this year and sign new BLM volunteer agreements. Please attend one of these sessions to continue your great work with our organization. Questions? Contact Dallas Williams at 760 568-9918 or email dwilliams@desertmountains.org To learn more about volunteering with us, […]

Free

Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike – Partial Trail

Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

WILDFLOWERS! HOW DO THEY SURVIVE IN A DESERT? Not every year in the desert produces a super bloom. So how do the seeds of these beautiful wildflowers survive years of drought as they wait for the combination of rain and warmth? A volunteer docent will talk about the seed bank, the differences between annuals and […]

Free

Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike – Full Trail

Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

WILDFLOWERS! HOW DO THEY SURVIVE IN A DESERT? Not every year in the desert produces a super bloom. So how do the seeds of these beautiful wildflowers survive years of drought as they wait for the combination of rain and warmth? A volunteer docent will talk about the seed bank, the differences between annuals and […]

Free

Volunteer Appreciation

Friends of the Desert Mountains 51500 California 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

You and a guest are cordially invited to gather with all your fellow volunteers, Friends staff and board members in celebration and appreciation of your many accomplishments during the past few seasons. Please join us for a meal and awards presentation (of course, the raffle). Thank you for all that you do! Meet on the […]

VOLUNTEERS ONLY: Boyd Deep Canyon Field Day

Friends of the Desert Mountains 51500 California 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

Expand your knowledge of the Desert Mountains and be a better “Friend”. We have arranged a special trip to the Boyd Deep Canyon. While there we will have a rare opportunity to hike and explore the canyon. This trail involves hiking off-trail in a sandy wash and some light boulder scrambling. Bring 2 liters of […]

Free

Pacific Crest Trail at Snow Creek

Pacific Crest Trail Snow Creek Whitewater, CA Snow Creek Canyon Road and PCT, Whitewater, CA, United States

Join a Friends’ volunteer docent on a hike on the spectacular Pacific Crest Trail and learn about some of the epic resources unique to the Monument! Moderate hike through desert wash, 300-foot elevation gain, 3.0-miles round trip. Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, wear closed-toed shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen. Sorry no dogs are […]

Free

CANCELLED – VOLUNTEER ONLY: Geology of the Desert

Friends of the Desert Mountains Conference Room 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

THIS LECTURE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Expand your knowledge of the Desert Mountains and be a better “Friend”. Join speaker Joe Migliore and learn the fascinating geology of the Coachella Valley. Questions? Contact Dallas Willams at 760 568-9918 or email dwilliams@desertmountains.org This event is for current volunteers only. To volunteer with us, go to https://www.desertmountains.org/become-a-volunteer/ to […]

Free

Rancho Mirage-Chuckwalla Trail Full Moon Hike

Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

Experience the desert in the moonlight! Grab your hiking boots and join Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a full moon hike on the lower portion of the Chuckwalla Trail. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, as well as the urban night […]

Free

Rancho Mirage-Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook Trail Full Moon Hike – 7:45p

Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

Join Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a full moon hike on the Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook trail loop. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, as well as the urban night lights of the Coachella Valley. This is a family friendly easy 1-mile hike […]

Free

Rancho Mirage-Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook Trail Full Moon Hike – 8p

Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

Join Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a full moon hike on the Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook trail loop. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, as well as the urban night lights of the Coachella Valley. This is a family friendly easy 1-mile hike […]

Free

Rancho Mirage-Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook Trail Full Moon Hike – 8:15p

Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

Experience the desert in the moonlight! Join Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a full moon hike on the Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook trail loop. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, as well as the urban night lights of the Coachella Valley. This is […]

Free

Rancho Mirage-Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook Trail Full Moon Hike – 8:30p

Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

Experience the desert in the moonlight! Join Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a full moon hike on the Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook trail loop. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, as well as the urban night lights of the Coachella Valley. This is […]

Yoga with a Ranger

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

Join a National Monument park ranger for an outdoor fun yoga flow for all skill levels. Connect with the landscape through a sequence of physical postures, movements, and breathing techniques that also strengthen your body and mind. Poses commonly mimic Earth, animals and trees. This outdoor activity is routinely performed barefoot. Bring a yoga mat […]

Free

La Quinta Full Moon Hike – 7:30p Group

La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a family friendly easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet […]

Free

Night Sky Star Observations – La Quinta

La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

Join us to view the night sky through telescopes. Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomers will be setting up their telescopes and are inviting you to their “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see — stars, constellations, bright planets, a full moon, and sometimes special events […]

Free

La Quinta Full Moon Hike – 7:45p Group

La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a family friendly easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet […]

Free

La Quinta Full Moon Hike – 8pm Group

La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a family friendly easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet […]

Free

La Quinta Full Moon Hike – 8:15p Group

La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

Experience the desert in the moonlight! Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a family friendly easy […]

Free

La Quinta Full Moon Hike – 8:30pm Group

La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a family friendly easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet […]

Red Hill Vista Hike

Box Canyon Road Box Canyon Road, Mecca, CA, United States

Join us for this STRENUOUS hike to Red Hill Vista in the Chuckwalla National Monument. The hike is a 4-mile loop with an elevation gain of 550 feet. Please read the full description below since once we reach the strenuous section of the hike it will be difficult to turn around. Hiking boots or shoes […]

Free