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 […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike in the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.Join us for this strenuous hike along Cathedral Canyon Trail. This distance is 5.7 miles with an elevation gain of over 1,100 feet. The hike begins in Cathedral Canyon Cove and climbs steeply up a series of […]
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 hike is classified as easy with 2.7 to 3.0 miles and an elevation gain of 400 feet. We will start our hike in a sandy […]
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 […]
Enjoy lectures at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountain National Monument Visitor Center.Ready, set, explore! The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is a national treasure with over 280 miles of designated trails, geological wonders, thousands of plant and animal species and a living laboratory for various scientific studies.Embark on a visual […]
Join the Astronomical Society of the Desert to view the night sky through telescopes.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 […]
Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentWHO MADE THAT HOLE! As you walk the desert trails, have you noticed the holes and wondered who made them? Explore the Randall Henderson Trail with our volunteer docent leaders to learn the difference between burrows and holes, and the importance of these to the delicate balance of […]
Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentWHO MADE THAT HOLE! As you walk the desert trails, have you noticed the holes and wondered who made them?Explore the Randall Henderson Trail with our volunteer docent leaders to learn the difference between burrows and holes, and the importance of these to the delicate balance of the […]
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!Grab your hiking poles and join our Friends’ volunteer docent, on the Theilman Trail. This urban hike begins with a few rolling hills, a steep ascent with some switchbacks and levels out as you near the Whitehorse […]
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 […]
Our volunteers will take you on a nature walk in Rancho Mirage. Join our Friends’ volunteer docents for an interactive nature conversation at Blixseth Mountain Park. As we walk along the paths we can talk geology and look for evidence of how both fault systems and water have shaped our land. Perhaps we can sit […]
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 […]
Explore this diverse trail in the Indio Hills.This trail offers a spectacular loop through a classic badland topography formed by thousands of years of erosion and an active San Andreas Fault. You will hike through slot canyons, in the shadow of tectonic up-tilts, sandy washes, switchbacks, a short but steep incline and along a prominent […]
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 […]
Support Friends of the Desert Mountains by walking or riding in the Tour De Palm Springs. When registering, choose Join a Fundraising Team and select Friends of the Desert Mountains (under “Event Fundraising” section). Your registration fee will help protect our local mountain views, hiking and biking trails, and unique wildlife found nowhere else on […]
Join SoCal Adaptive Sports and Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a hike for persons with disabilities, their family, and friends at the Indio Hills Badlands Trail. For our intrepid adventurers, we will be hiking over the Coachella Canal, up a few small hills and then drop down into the wash area. We […]
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 […]
Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentENDANGERED ANIMALS OF THE MONUMENT!Explore the Randall Henderson Trail with a volunteer docent and learn about two of our federally threatened animals and the challenges they face in the ever-changing environment. Both play different, but equally important roles in the desert ecology. The docent will help you search […]
Explore this popular trail on the National MonumentENDANGERED ANIMALS OF THE MONUMENT!Explore the Randall Henderson Trail with a volunteer docent and learn about two of our federally threatened animals and the challenges they face in the ever-changing environment. Both play different, but equally important roles in the desert ecology. The docent will help you search […]
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!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 to view the night sky through telescopes. Únase a nosotros para ver el cielo nocturno a través de telescopios.A Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomer will be setting up a telescope and is inviting you to a “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see […]
Experience the desert in the moonlight!Strap on your hiking boots for a full moon hike on the first mile of the Indio Badlands Trail. As we embark on this hike, the moonlight casts enchanting shadows on the desert terrain. The sky will be brilliantly lit up for the desert creatures to be scurrying about. This […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 a […]
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 […]
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 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 and […]
Explore Boyd Deep Canyon to enhance your knowledge and share with the public. 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 […]
BOOK BY FEB. 1ST FOR DISCOUNTED PRICE! 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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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!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 […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike in the Thousand Palms Preserve.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 […]
Our volunteers will take you on a guided hike in the Chuckwalla National Monument.Join us for a hike into the Mecca Wilderness and the Chuckwalla National Monument. On this hike we will walk through a wash full of amazing geology with colors that you will not see elsewhere. We will explore an impressive slot canyon […]
Join us for the 18th annual Coachella Valley Wildflower. Wildflower Festival is a free day-long event featuring skilled local artisans, shopping and information booths, enchanting wildflower displays, an exciting raffle, fun times and live music on the 1st Saturday in March. Our huge interactive Kids’ Zone and “Naturally Inspired” youth art contest brings families from […]