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 […]

Join us for a hike into 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 with walls towering over our head and then return to the main canyon to continue exploring. With […]

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 hike into 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 with walls towering over our head and then return to the main canyon to continue exploring. With […]

Join us for a hike into 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 with walls towering over our head and then return to the main canyon to continue exploring. With […]

DUE TO HEAVY CLOUD COVER THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. DEBIDO A LA DENSA NUBOSIDAD, ESTE EVENTO HA SIDO CANCELADO. 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 […]

DUE TO HIGH WINDS AND POOR AIR QUALITY, THIS HIKE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 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 […]

DUE TO HIGH WINDS AND POOR AIR QUALITY, THIS HIKE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 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 […]

ESTE EVENTO HA SIDO CANCELADO. Póngase las botas de montaña para una caminata bajo la luna llena en el sendero Indio Hills. Mientras nos embarcamos en esta caminata, la luz de la luna proyecta sombras encantadoras sobre el terreno desértico. El cielo estará brillantemente iluminado para que las criaturas del desierto puedan corretear. Esta aventura […]

DUE TO HIGH WINDS AND POOR AIR QUALITY, THIS HIKE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 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 […]

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 […]

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

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]