Join us at our monthly Desert Mountains Art Fair! Mediums may include photography, paintings, ceramics, hand painted silks, and more. Support local artists and find beautiful and unique gifts and desert mementos, all while enjoying the natural beauty of our desert mountains! For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984. Sponsored by the […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument!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 […]
Both new and returning hike team volunteers need to attend this training. Join Friends of the Desert Mountains Hike Program Leader Ada Nuckels for an interactive session for returning and aspiring hike team members.Topics to be discussed are resources and talking points for hike leads, the role of hike leaders, role of hike sweeps, reporting […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. This trail is […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Dead Indian canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. […]
Join a park ranger for yoga at a National Monument!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 […]
Calling All Birders!Our experienced birding volunteer docent will share interesting facts about the Coachella Valley native species and other migratory birds found in the National Monument. We begin the search for our feathered friends in their native desert habitat at the new observation area. Then on to the Ed Hastey Garden Walk (paved) and tortoise […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike in the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument.Join us for a hike into the Mecca Wilderness and the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument. This is a brand-new hike never offered by Friends. On this hike we will walk through a wash full of amazing geology with colors that you […]
Explore this popular trail in Rancho Mirage.This trail meanders through the rolling foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains above Rancho Mirage and Cathedral Canyon. You may see a few wildflowers along the trail. There are many other unique desert plants. You will learn about their adaptations to the desert and summertime survival techniques. Our volunteer […]
Orientation for new volunteersWe need ALL volunteers (that are new or have not attended an orientation in the prior season) to attend orientation and sign paperwork. If you have not already attended a general volunteer orientation this season, please attend one of these sessions to begin or continue your great work with our organization.RETURNING VOLUNTEERS […]
Orientation for returning volunteersWe 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.orgTo learn more about volunteering with […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. This trail is […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Dead Indian canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. […]
Orientation for new and returning volunteers to the Trail team or Weed WarriorsExisting Outreach volunteers and new volunteers interested in learning more about working Outreach tables – PLEASE ATTEND THIS SESSION.Do you enjoy learning about our interacting with the public, and educating them on all the wonderful things we have to offer? Are you available […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument!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 […]
Join us for a light-hearted evening benefiting Friends’ wonderful programs and connecting people to the land. Friends & Champions is the annual fundraiser of Friends of the Desert Mountains. In early November, we gather 300+ attendees outdoors at exciting locations to celebrate and honor our “Friends and Champions” – those who inspire our work and […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. This trail is […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Dead Indian canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. […]
Join a park ranger for yoga at a National Monument!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 […]
Calling All Birders!Our experienced birding volunteer docent will share interesting facts about the Coachella Valley native species and other migratory birds found in the National Monument. We begin the search for our feathered friends in their native desert habitat at the new observation area. Then on to the Ed Hastey Garden Walk (paved) and tortoise […]
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 3-mile loop […]
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 3-mile loop […]
Join SoCal Adaptive Sports and Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a hike for persons with disabilities, their family, and friends on the Long Canyon Trail. This trail is part of The Joshua National Park. We will explore the area and learn about the Metropolitan Water district and how Los Angeles gets […]
Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentOur Friends’ volunteer docent will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument! You will see excellent views of the Coachella Valley and learn the history of the area. You will see many unique desert plants and learn how they […]
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 lights […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Dead Indian canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. This trail is […]
Calling All Birders!Our experienced birding volunteer docent will share interesting facts about the Coachella Valley native species and other migratory birds found in the National Monument. We begin the search for our feathered friends in their native desert habitat at the new observation area. Then on to the Ed Hastey Garden Walk (paved) and tortoise […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument!Join our Friends’ volunteer docent hiking the Garstin trail and getting your daily outdoor exercise. Learn the importance of this critical habitat area for the endangered Casey’s June Beetle and other tidbits about Palm Springs history and […]
Orientation for new and returning volunteers to the Land Monitoring program.Existing volunteers and new volunteers interested in learning more about working our Land Monitoring program – PLEASE ATTEND THIS SESSION.This training is designed to enhance the knowledge of our existing volunteers and introduce new volunteers to the expections of our land monitoring program. The class […]
Enjoy lectures to enhance your knowledge and share with the public.Expand your knowledge of the Desert Mountains and be a better “Friend”. Join speaker Kate Anderson as she shares the history of the Cahuilla people. They are one of the oldest, continuously inhabited areas in North America and have a rich cultural heritage.Questions? Contact Dallas […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. This trail is […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Dead Indian canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. […]
Orientation for new and returning volunteers to the Visitor Center. Join us to learn more about our Visitor Center program.Existing Visitor Center volunteers and new volunteers interested in learning more about working in the Monument Visitor Center – PLEASE ATTEND ONE OF THESE SESSIONS.Do you enjoy learning about our National Monument, interacting with the public, […]
Calling All Birders!Our experienced birding volunteer docent will share interesting facts about the Coachella Valley native species and other migratory birds found in the National Monument. We begin the search for our feathered friends in their native desert habitat at the new observation area. Then on to the Ed Hastey Garden Walk (paved) and tortoise […]
Show your love and support for public lands!Show your love and support of public lands by going outdoors and helping with some maintenance around the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. Help with planting new native plants along with other maintenance.For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.Hosted by the […]
Explore a popular trail in La Quinta Cove!Join Friends’ volunteer docent for this interpretative hike to the Morrow Trail Overlook to Lake Cahuilla. This is an easy hike through loose sand and established pathways. We begin with a gradual incline, dip into a wash and then gradually climb and descend, ups and downs, along a […]
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 […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. This trail is […]
This bighorn sheep habitat is only open 3 months a year!Dead Indian canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. […]
Our volunteers will take you on a nature walk in Rancho Mirage. Join our Friends’ volunteer docents for a nature walk in Blixseth Mountain Park. The Park features native desert landscape, walking paths and benches for observing desert vistas, plants and geography. We will share fun facts about desert flora and fauna as well as […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument!Join our Friends’ volunteer docent hiking the Garstin trail and getting your daily outdoor exercise. Learn the importance of this critical habitat area for the endangered Casey’s June Beetle and other tidbits about Palm Springs history and […]
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 […]