Desert Mountain

Birding Walk-About, Visitor Center
2024-11-08 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
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 habitat areas. From the parking area, we will take a short walk to the Randall Henderson Trail to check out the lower sandy wash area where other birds may be found.
Bring your binoculars, 1 liter of water, sun hat, sunscreen, and camera. Sorry, no dogs allowed on this trail.
RSVP is required and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
Sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains. Visit our website at www.DesertMountains.org

Yoga with a Ranger
2024-11-07 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
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 activity is routinely performed barefoot.
Bring a yoga mat or towel, water, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants. Meet on the Visitor Center patio.
Reservations required and must bring ticket with you at check-in. Reservations begin 14 days prior to the event.
For more information call 760-862-9984.
UTM Coordinates for the Visitor Center are 33.67149, -116.40839
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Dead Indian Canyon Interpretative Hike
2024-11-07 08:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Art Smith Trailhead, MH9R+7Q, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
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 trail traverses a sandy wash with uneven terrain with cobble (small rocks). Hike rating is easy, approximately 2 miles round trip. Elevation gain is approximately 200 feet. Sorry no dogs allowed on this trail. Bring snacks and 2 liter of water per person. Wear close-toed shoes, sun hat and sunscreen.
RSVP is required and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
Please note: We will meet at the Art Smith Trailhead parking lot located just past the driveway for the Visitor Center approximately 100 feet on the southwest side of Highway 74.
View map at coordinates: 33.667957, -116.407666
Sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains. Visit our website at www.DesertMountains.org

Carrizo Canyon Interpretative Hike
2024-11-07 08:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Art Smith Trailhead, MH9R+7Q, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
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 in a sandy wash with uneven terrain. As the canyon narrows there will be some rocks and small boulders to hike around and step over. Hike rating is easy, approximately 3 miles round trip. Elevation gain is approximately 300 feet. Bring snacks and 2 liters of water per person. Wear close-toed shoes, sun hat and sunscreen. Sorry no dogs allowed on this trail.
RSVP is required and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
Please note: We will meet at the Art Smith Trailhead parking lot located just past the driveway for the Visitor Center approximately 100 feet on the southwest side of Highway 74.
View map at coordinates: 33.667957, -116.407666
Sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains. Visit our website at www.DesertMountains.org

Volunteers ONLY: Interpretative Hike Training via Zoom
2024-11-06 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
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 trail issues for our maintaince team. You’ll also learn how to register for hikes on MyImpact and reporting your hours.The link and information for the meeting is on your registration ticket and your confirmation. Simply click the View Links button on your ticket, or the Online Event Page link in your confirmation.Questions? Contact Dallas Willams at 760 568-9918 or email dwilliams@desertmountains.org
To learn more about volunteering with us, go to www.DesertMountains.org/portal to complete an application and read the handbook describing all our opportunities.

Earl Henderson Trail Hike
2024-11-05 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Earl Henderson Trail, Bogert Trail at Barona Rd, Palm Springs, CA, 92264, United States
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 loop, we will wander down into the wash to checkout a few desert plants. Sorry, no dogs allowed on this trail. This is an easy hiking trail. Distance will be about 3 miles. Elevation gain of 100 feet. Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, wear closed-toed shoes, sun hat and sunscreen.
RSVP is required and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Space is limited. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested nonrefundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
We will meet at the trailhead located off Bogert Trail at Barona Road. View map & U TM coordinates: 33.77621, -116.53132
Sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains. Visit our website at www.DesertMountains.org

Desert Mountains Art Fair
2024-11-02 09:00 - 15:30 UTC | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
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 Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center in partnership with Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Star Party in the Mountains
2024-10-26 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Sawmill Trailhead Parking Lot, HGHX+XQG, Pinyon Pines, CA
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 field.
NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES AND HIGH WINDS CANCEL THIS EVENT.

Paint El Paseo Pink Walk to Fight Cancer
2024-10-19 07:30 - 10:00 UTC | The Gardens at El Paseo, 73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA, 92260
Join other volunteers for team ‘FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS’ at the Paint El Paseo Pink walk to fight cancer. The route is approximately 2 miles roundtrip. There will be activities, live music, and more engaging participants throughout the course of the walk.
Team Friends will meet in front of The Gardens on El Paseo, look for Tammy.
For all information, go to: https://desertcancerfoundation.org/event/paint-el-paseo-pink/
To join our team, sign up at: https://desertcancerfoundation.org/pepp-team-join/ and select Friends of the Desert Mountains as your team.
If you have already signed up, let them know you are walking with the Friends of the Desert Mountains group.
Call 760-568-9918 for more information.

Montane Botanic Garden Trail Adaptive Sports Hike
2024-10-12 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Oak Glen Preserve, 39611 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa, CA, 92399
Montane Botanic Garden Trail Adaptive Sports Hike
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 Montane Botanic Garden Trail.
Nestled in a glen, situated at 5,024 feet, in the shadow of 8,700-foot Wilshire Peak, lies The Wildlands Conservancy’s 909-acre Oak Glen Preserve. The Preserve is the home of a Botanic Garden and Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center and includes the entire 114-year-old Los Rios Rancho Apple Farm.
The Botanic Garden includes a variety of habitats – ponds, streams, wetlands, oak and pine forests, chaparral and willow woodland – while Los Rios Ranch is center of operations for 10,000 apple trees. You can connect with nature, pick apples and shop at the store and bakery. If you do not want to sample the slow cooked meats or fresh baked goods, just bring your own picnic. This will be a day of fun!
We will be hiking about 2 miles. Bring snacks, 2 liters of water per person and your hiking poles. Wear close-toed shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen.
REGISTER HERE
For more information, contact Michael at mike@socaladaptivesports.org or 760-469-9207.

Tortoise Chat and Storytime
2024-10-05 08:30 - 12:00 UTC | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
Come visit our adopted desert tortoise and get answers to your questions about our charming state reptile.
We will also be hosting a story time nearby and reading the bi-lingual book, “The Tortoise and the Jackrabbit”; the first 70 visitors each day will even get a free copy of the book to take home in honor of Desert Tortoise Week.
We will be meeting at the Desert Tortoise Enclosure. Bring 1 liter of water, a sun hat, sunscreen and wear close-toed shoes.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.

Hosted by the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center.
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains.

VOLUNTEER ONLY! Water Bus Tour
2024-10-05 07:00 - 18:00 UTC | Sams Club Parking Lot, 34220 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA, 92211
Join us on a fascinating and educational 350-mile, 11 hour luxury bus tour. Learn about the history and importance of water in the Coachella Valley. Find out how the desert turns green!
Stops along the route include the Imperial Dam, Colorado River, the old Plank Road, Algodones Dunes, Coachella Canal, All-American Canal, and the Salton Sea Recreation Area.
Bring your own lunch – Friends will provide water/sodas and snacks. Please arrive 15 minutes early to board the bus.
RSVP to Dallas at DWilliams@DesertMountains.org or call him at 760-568-9918.

Monument Night Adventures
2024-09-28 19:15 - 21:30 UTC | Art Smith Trailhead Parking Lot, MH9R+7Q, Palm Desert, CA, United States
Discover how the desert comes alive after dark! Do you know which animals change colors when you use a blacklight?
Using our blacklights, a Friends’ volunteer docent will begin a short walk on uneven cobbled desert terrain in the basin below the dike/levy looking for scorpions and other nocturnal creatures that inhabit our desert.
This is a family friendly event. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Bring water, wear closed-toed shoes and a black light if you have one. If not, we will have a few black lights to share. Sorry, no dogs allowed on this trail.
RSVP is required, and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event.
Your nonrefundable donation of $5.00 is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
REGISTER FOR 7:15PM GROUP
REGISTER FOR 7:30PM GROUP
REGISTER FOR 7:45PM GROUP
We will meet at the Art Smith Trailhead parking lot located just past the driveway for the Visitor Center approximately 100 feet on the southwest side of Highway 74.
