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Friends of the Desert Mountains

Joshua Tree National Park

We have deserts unlike any other place on Earth

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Riverside and Imperial Counties have deserts unlike any other place on Earth. These lands have been home to many Indigenous Tribes for thousands of years, and they provide local communities with access to nature and recreation. They also host rare plants and animals, such as the Mecca aster, the desert tortoise, and the desert bighorn sheep, and preserve historical and cultural sites. We need to protect these precious desert landscapes for future generations by creating a new Chuckwalla National Monument and enlarging Joshua Tree National Park. Additional facts about the proposal: The monument would encompass nearly 700,000 acres of land in both Riverside and Imperial counties. The monument would be a resource for the local communities that are park-deprived and affected by the Salton Sea’s deterioration1. The monument would need a presidential order or a vote by Congress to become reality. The campaign for the monument is led by a coalition of environmental groups, including Audubon California, Cactus To Cloud Institute, and California Wilderness Coalition. It would increase the popularity and visitation of the park, as Joshua Tree National Park was the most visited park in California and the 10th most visited in the country in 2020. It would provide more opportunities for hiking, camping, rock climbing, and viewing wildlife and plants in the park. It would preserve more historical and cultural sites, such as mining areas and Native American artifacts. Climate change, which is making the park hotter and drier and reducing the suitable habitat for Joshua trees. Wildfires, which are fueled by non-native grasses and drought conditions and can destroy large areas of Joshua trees. Development, which is encroaching on the park’s boundaries and fragmenting the habitat for wildlife. Air pollution, which is harming the health of Joshua trees and other plants. Luxury homes in PALM DESERT Palm Desert offers homes in various architectural styles, custom builds, and even raw land to build your one-of-a-kind dream home. If you want to know more about what’s available to buy in Palm Desert, check out these luxury listings currently on the market with virtual showings. Homes for sale around the Palm Desert Area

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Friends of the Desert Mountains protects open space in the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountains

Friends of the Desert Mountains

Blog, News & Blog /

A New Year To Connect To The Land Prepare to be AMAZED! Friends’ 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. 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. ONE TIME DONATION MONTHLY DONATION OPTION 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 ———— Nature Walk at Blixseth Park 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. RESERVATION REQUIRED Wednesdays, January 4 & 18 8:30am-9:30am Blixseth Mountain Park 71255 Mirage Rd. Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 ———— Art Smith Interpretive Hike 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. RESERVATION REQUIRED 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 ———— 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: Evolutionary History of Scorpions 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? RESERVATION REQUIRED 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 Conversation 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. NO RESERAVTION REQUIRED Monday, January 9 2:00pm-3:00pm Rancho Mirage Library, 71100, CA-111 Rancho Mirage, CA, 92270 ———— Rancho Mirage Full Moon Hike 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. RESERVATION REQUIRED *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 ———— La Quinta Full Moon Hike 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. RESERVATION REQUIRED *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 ———— Night Sky Stars Observation Friends of the Desert

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