Upcoming Events

THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED DUE TO FORECAST INCLEMENT WEATHER. 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 […]

Join us for a MODERATELY STRENUOUS hike to Pushawalla Palms Oasis. This 4.8-mile hike involves an elevation gain of over 700 feet. The hike begins in a sandy wash that quickly transitions to a series of steep ridge climbs. Along the way we’ll discuss how and why palm oasis form along earthquake faults in this […]

Enjoy the garden surrounding the National Monument Visitor Center.Enjoy strolling the Ed Hastey Garden Walk led by Friends’ volunteer docent. It is a great introduction to learn about native plants and animals that inhabit our desert, and the value of urban conservation.This short, easy walk is suitable for persons of all ages and abilities with […]

Enjoy a hike in La Quinta Cove!Join Friends’ volunteer docent for this strenuous, interpretive hike. The trail will climb to the scenic overlook of the San Jacinto Mountain and expansive views of the Coachella Valley and city of La Quinta. This partial hike up the Bear Creek Oasis trail will introduce you to it. Our […]

Volunteers – join us on this free fun bus tour of the new Chuckwalla National Monument. Enjoy a luxury bus tour of Box Canyon: Optional hike from the Mecca Grotto Trailhead Explore a slot canyon (optional) Learn the history of the area with Desert Hot Springs Councilmember Gary Gardner and CalWild’s Linda Castro Learn about […]

Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentGEOLOGY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY!Hiking the Randall Henderson Trail makes the ideal place to talk about the Geology of the Coachella Valley. From the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, we have views of the San Bernadino, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains. There is evidence of how […]

Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentGEOLOGY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY!Hiking the Randall Henderson Trail makes the ideal place to talk about the Geology of the Coachella Valley. From the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, we have views of the San Bernadino, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains. There is evidence of how […]

Calling All Birders!Grab your binoculars and join a Friends volunteer docent birding expert to look for our feathered desert residents. In this unique urban area, we are still able to find a little native desert environment surrounded by local trees and shrubs that many of our feathered friends call home.As you walk on the sidewalk […]

Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument!J. Smeaton Chase, an Englishman is credited with naming the Araby Trail. The hike begins with a continuous switchback ascent uphill. The trail climbs to the ridge, you will see historic homes and mansions. Great views of […]

Enjoy a hike in La Quinta Cove! Join us for this interpretative hike up the Bear Creek Wash. This hike is rated as easy with 4 miles round-trip and an elevation gain of approximately 325 feet. The trail winds through a sandy wash with uneven terrain. As the wash narrows there will be some rocks […]

Calling All Birders!Grab your binoculars and join a Friends volunteer docent birding expert to look for our feathered desert residents. In this unique urban area, we are still able to find a little native desert environment surrounded by local trees and shrubs that many of our feathered friends call home.As you walk on the sidewalk […]

Enjoy strolling the Ed Hastey Garden Walk led by Friends’ volunteer docent. It is a great introduction to learn about native plants and animals that inhabit our desert, and the value of urban conservation. This short, easy walk is suitable for persons of all ages and abilities with a paved 3-foot-wide path. All topics are […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT. 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 lecture is limited to 20 people. We will […]

Families and friends, come out and start your day with a TRAIL RUN/WALK on the Randall Henderson Trail on Saturday, February 22. Registration begins at 7:30 AM, Trail Run/Walk starts at 8:00 AM. All ages are welcome! This family fun event is about experiencing nature at its best, with beautiful spring wildflowers and breathtaking views […]

Join members of the Astronomical Society of the Desert for fun “sky tours” and direct observations of the night sky through telescopes and binoculars. This is a family event. Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian. For more information call 760-862-9984. Etiquette: please do not touch equipment unless requested. No white lights near telescope […]

Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentWILDFLOWERS! 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 […]

Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentWILDFLOWERS! 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 […]

Grab your binoculars and join a Friends volunteer docent birding expert to look for our feathered desert residents. In this unique urban area, we are still able to find a little native desert environment surrounded by local trees and shrubs that many of our feathered friends call home. As you walk on the sidewalk adjacent […]

Enjoy this easy hike along the hillside above Araby Wash. Explore the wonders of this critical habitat area to learn about the endangered Casey’s June Beetle and fire ecology in this sensitive habitat area. On our return loop, we will wander down into the wash to checkout a few desert plants. Sorry, no dogs allowed […]

Join Susan and Steve this spring as they explore the different Preserves that surround the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. This trail in the Coachella Valley Preserve/Thousand Palms Preserve is rated as easy with a hike distance of 2 miles and an elevation gain of 200 feet. We will explore the desert […]