A New Year To Connect To The LandFriends’ staff and volunteers work hard to curate an incredible selection of events. Check out the FULL JANUARY CALENDAR BELOW. We seriously have something for everyone – no matter your age, ability, income, or activity level. How you connect to the land is up to you. |
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Friends of the Desert Mountains depends on your donations to continue developing and offering the comprehensive programs we provide to the public for free. Thank You for supporting our Mission with a tax-deductible donation today. |
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Cahuilla Hills & Fox Canyon Adaptive Sports Hike Join SoCal Adaptive Sports, Friends of the Desert Mountains, and Desert Recreation District docents on a hike for persons with disabilities and their family and friends at Cahuilla Hills Park and Fox Canyon. The trail into the canyon is level and easy to hike. On our return, we will hike up then down the trail and loop back to the main park. Hike rating is easy and approximately a 2.0 miles loop. Elevation gain, about 100 feet. For more information contact Mike at mike@socaladaptivesports.org or call 760-469-9207. RESERVATION REQUIRED Sunday, January 1 8:30am-10:30am Cahuilla Hills Park, 45825 Edgehill Drive Palm Desert, CA, 92260 ———— Join Friends’ 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. Learn fun facts about desert flora and fauna and interesting information about the native Cahuilla people. Wednesdays, January 4 & 18 8:30am-9:30am Blixseth Mountain Park 71255 Mirage Rd. Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 ———— Docents will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument! The trail is about 2 feet wide with some cobble. The distance may be 3-4 miles with elevation gain of 850 feet. This hike is rated strenuous. Thursdays, January 5,12,19, & 26 8:30am-11:00am Art Smith Trailhead Parking CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 ———— Randall Henderson Trail Interpretative Hike Take 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. This trail is in a sandy wash, can be narrow and on uneven desert terrain. We will hike all 3 loops of the trail approximately 3 miles round trip. The elevation gain is approximately 250 feet. This hike is rated easy to moderate. RESERVATION REQUIRED Thursdays, January 5,12,19, & 26 8:30am-11:00am Randall Henderson Trail Parking Lot 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Chuckwalla Trail Interpretative Hike 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 unique desert plants. You will learn about their adaptations to desert and summertime survival. Guides will share information about the National Monument and its local history. The rating is moderate, 2.1-mile loop, 403 feet elevation gain. RESERVATION REQUIRED Fridays, January 6 & 20 9:00am-11:30 Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 CA-111 Rancho Mirage 92270 ———— Hiking 101: Learn Safe Hiking Skills on the Trail This hike is geared to beginner hikers or anyone wanting to learn the basics of staying safe on the trails. We will cover the 10 essentials all hikers should carry, along with information on hiking poles, clothing, backpacks, water, and tips on hiking on and off the trail. We will walk on the Randall Henderson trail; hike rating is easy. RESERVATION REQUIRED Saturday, January 7 9:00am-11:00am Randall Henderson Trail Parking Lot 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 |
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———— Desert Mountains Art Faire Join us at a monthly Desert Mountains Art Faire. 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 the desert mountains. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED Saturday, January 7 9:00am-3:30pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Lecture: Scorpions can be classified among the most ancient and conservative arthropods both in origin and body morphology. First appearing 450 million years ago as aquatic organisms, the major biochemical, physiological, behavioral and ecological adaptations of the scorpion have ensured continued success until today. Will this success continue? Saturday, January 7 11:00am-12:00pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Lecture: Conservation in the Coachella Valley: History and current status of the collaborative partnerships that support land acquisition, wildlife research, and habitat management initiatives under the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Monday, January 9 2:00pm-3:00pm Rancho Mirage Library, 71100, ———— Grab your hiking boots and flashlight and join Friends’ docents on a Bighorn Overlook trail loop full moon hike. Experience the desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, and view Coachella Valley lights. Telescopes will be set up for stargazing. Easy 2-mile hike with 275 feet of elevation gain. Trail is narrow, 2 feet wide and on cobbled desert terrain. *Registration for this event opens 2 weeks’ prior, hikes leave every 15 minutes Monday, January 9 7:00pm-9:00pm Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 ———— Experience a hike by moonlight! Look for all types of night creatures along the trail. Astronomers will have telescopes set-up too. A family friendly easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet elevation gain. The trail is 6’ wide and narrows to 2’ wide with cobbled, uneven desert terrain. *Registration for this event opens 2 weeks’ prior, hikes leave every 15 minutes Tuesday, January 10 7:00pm-10:00pm Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate at Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA 92253 ———— Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomers will set up their telescopes and invite you to a “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects — stars, constellations, bright planets, a full moon, and sometimes meteor showers or an eclipse. We might see the international space station! Family-friendly event, minors must be accompanied by parent/guardian. NOTE: CHECK WEATHER BEFORE DEPARTING Tuesday, January 10 7:30pm-10:00pm Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate at Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA 92253 ———— Lecture: Mining History of the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument This is a volunteer only event. The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, including the high desert areas, have a history of mining that dates back to the late 1800s. Mines in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument have produced asbestos, beryllium, gold, limestone, tungsten, copper, garnet, and tourmaline. Learn about the history of many local mines in this seminar. RSERVATION REQUIRED Thursday, January 12 12:30pm-1:30pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Enjoy this easy-moderate rated hike in the La Quinta Cove. From the parking lot, we will trek the 3/4 mile to the levee and then begin hiking a loop trail along the edge of the foothills. This part of the trail offers great views across the Coachella Valley. We will continue to the ridge above Bear Creek Wash to the Cove Oasis and trails end. RESERVATION REQUIRED Friday, January 13 9:00am-11:30am Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate at Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA 92253 |
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———— New, free event for kids of all ages! Come and enjoy activities for kids of all ages at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. There will be plenty of activities for the kids along with food trucks to satisfy your hunger. This event is sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains in partnership with the Desert Recreation District, City of Palm Desert, Children’s Discovery Museum and Desert Sands Unified School District. OPTIONAL REGISTRATION Saturday, January 14 10:00am-2:00pm Palm Desert Civic Center Park 43900 San Pablo ———— Join members of the Astronomical Society of the Desert for fun “sky tours” and direct observation of the night sky through telescopes and binoculars. Family-friendly event, minors must be accompanied by parent/guardian. NOTE: CHECK WEATHER BEFORE DEPARTING Saturday, January 14 5:00pm-9:00pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Lecture: A Cultural History of the San Jacinto Mountains The San Jacinto Mountains have a cultural as well as a geological history. Find out how various groups and cultures have shaped these mountains and some remarkable developments observable today. RESERVATION REQUIRED Sunday, January 15 9:00am-10:00am Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Lecture: Plants can’t move. They can’t fly or climb trees. They can’t hide in holes in the ground or move up the mountains when it is too hot or down into the valley when it is too cold. They can’t cozy up to meet other plants in order to mate. So, what do they do to survive grazers who want to eat them or steal their stored water? How are they able to attract pollinators and reproduce? Come Learn about some examples of plants that produce unusual chemicals and how humans use those same chemicals. Sunday, January 15 11:00am-12:00pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Lecture: Start to Finish, The Building of Highway 74 The Palms to Pines Scenic Byway connects the desert with the mountains and the coast beyond, but has a reputation for danger. Learn about the construction of this snaking roadway with Steve Lech. Sunday, January 15 1:00pm-2:00pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Buford Crites’ Memorial Hike & Celebration of Life Please join Friends of the Desert Mountains and many others to celebrate the life and accomplishments of the founder, College of the Desert professor, and former Palm Desert Mayor Buford Crites. This Memorial Hike is at 9am. A Celebration of Life begins at 11am, followed by lunch on Friends’ patio to share memories and swap stories of this irreplaceable conservationist, educator, and friend to many. RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, January 17 9:00am-3:00pm Friends of the Desert Mountains 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— 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 strengthen your body and mind. Poses commonly mimic Earth, animals and trees. This outdoor activity is often performed barefoot. Bring a yoga mat or towel, water, and sunscreen. Fridays, January 20 & 27 9:00am-10:00am Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA,92260 ———— Star Party in the Mountains 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. Etiquette: please do not touch equipment unless instructed and no white lights near telescope field. NOTE: CHECK WEATHER BEFORE DEPARTING NO RESERVATION REQUIRED Saturday, January 21 5:00pm-9:00pm Sawmill Trailhead Parking Lot CA-74 at Pinon Flats Transfer Station Road Mountain Center, CA, 92561 ———— Winter BioBlitz Week: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is a hotspot for biodiversity with over 2,400 species and counting. Join the ongoing efforts to find and document the species found in the Monument by participating in our week-long Winter BioBlitz. This event is free and an opportunity to get involved in conservation and contribute to genuine scientific research. A BioBlitz is a species-finding and identifying event designed to showcase the biological diversity found within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. People of all ages are encouraged to explore any of the designated trails while observing, identifying, and counting plant and animal species using the free smartphone app iNaturalist. OPTIONAL REGISTRATION :: PROJECT ON iNATURALIST Sunday, January 22, 5:00am to Sunday, January 29, 9:00pm |
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It is only with YOUR SUPPORT that Friends can continue to offer so many diverse programs and opportunities to Connect with the Land. Please make a year-end tax-deductible gift to Friends of the Desert Mountains |
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