ABDNHA Home | Activities | April and Summer 2012


Hornblende Canyon Hike, Apr. 13

Here is a list of our activities and events for April and Summer 2012:

Apr. 3, Tue. , 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Easy Walk: Little Surprise Canyon
Leader: Mike McElhatton


Little Surprise Canyon

Join Mike, ABDNHA’s education coordinator, for an easy hike in Little Surprise Canyon. It’s a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the scenery, and meet new friends.

Meet at the Nature Center. Regular passenger cars are fine for this location. Bring water, a snack, and wear good hiking shoes. No charge. Space is limited; call to reserve.

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Apr. 5, Thur., 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
Leader: David Lasley

Learn to identify desert birds. Learn about bird behavior. Walk in and around Club Circle, a good birding area with level, easy terrain.

Meet at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort. Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes. Call the Nature Center for reservations. Non-members: $5 donation requested; Members and volunteers: no charge.

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Apr. 5, Thur., 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Moonlight Walk in South Palm Wash
Hiking Leader: Mike McElhatton

This walk was so popular in March that we are offering it once again. Experience the serene beauty of moonlight on the canyon walls with ABDNHA’s education coordinator, Mike McElhatton, as we take a one-mile walk through South Palm Wash in the eastern part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Meet at the ABDNHA office and carpool from there. 4WD is necessary for a short 1/10th mile off-highway segment into the wash. Anyone without 4WD can catch a ride for that section. Wear hiking boots, bring a flashlight and water. Dress for the weather. Space is limited to 15 people. Program is subject to cancellation with cloud cover or high wind. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Apr. 6, Fri., 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Night Tour: Moon over Ocotillo Wells
Guide: Ocotillo Wells Park Naturalist

Meet at the Discovery Center off Highway 78 at Ranger Station Rd. Must be comfortable with night driving and have working lights. Come prepared with a high clearance 4WD vehicle, water and snacks. No charge. Please be willing to carpool.

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Greater Roadrunner

Apr. 7, Sat., 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Many Stories of Anza-Borrego
Presenter: Mike McElhatton

Have you ever wondered what the coyotes are doing when they go into a howling fit at sundown? Would you like to know how the roadrunner earns its living? How long does it take to apply one coat of the desert varnish that covers many of Anza-Borrego’s rocks?

If you have ever wondered about these things, and would like to hear other interesting bits and pieces about the many stories to be told about our fascinating little corner of planet Earth, then join ABDNHA’s education coordinator Mike McElhatton for this program.

Meets in ABDNHA’s library. NM $8; M $6; V $4

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Apr. 12, Thur., 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
Leader: David Lasley

Last of the season. Learn to identify desert birds. Learn about bird behavior. Walk in and around Club Circle, a good birding area with level, easy terrain.

Meet at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort. Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes. Call the Nature Center for reservations. Non-members: $5 donation requested; Members and volunteers: no charge.

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Apr. 13, Fri., 8 a.m. – noon.
Hike: Hornblende Canyon
Leader: Mike McElhatton

Hornblende Canyon is a beautiful little canyon just off of Highway S-2 that gets its name from the black hornblende rock and interesting rock formations scattered along its length.

The hike is rated as fairly strenuous because of numerous small waterfalls and some rock scrambling, but we will take our time as we make our way to a beautiful small valley that was once used by the Kumeyaay people. Wear hiking boots and a hat and carry water and snacks.

Meet at ABDNHA Nature Center in Borrego Springs and carpool from there. All driving is on blacktop highways. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Apr. 13, Fri., 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
4wd Tour: Creepy Crawlers of the Night
Guide: Ocotillo Wells Park Naturalist

Experience the diversity of bug life present in the desert! Join a fascinating night tour through Ocotillo Wells as we search of beetles, spiders, scorpions and more!

Meet at OWSVRA’s Discovery Center at the headquarters compound off Hwy 78. Please be willing to carpool from here. High clearance, 4WD vehicle required. * Must be comfortable with night driving and have working lights. Bring water and dinner or a snack. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Borrego Energy Day 2012
April 13 – 14, Friday – Saturday

Apr. 13, Fri., 7:30 p.m.
ABDNHA 40th Annual Desert Lecture Series
Palomar Observatory: Past, Present and Future
Presented by Scott Kardel, of the International Dark Sky Association
Tonight’s program sponsored by ABDNHA member Barbara T. Oyler

Scott Kardel, M.S., Astronomy, lived on Palomar Mountain and worked at the Palomar Observatory for many years until his recent move to Tucson, Arizona, to work for the International Dark Sky Association as Public Affairs Director. Scott served on the Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition for two years, during which time he helped to write Borrego’s successful application to become California’s first official International Dark Sky Community. Tonight Scott will tell us the fascinating story of the Palomar Observatory. See also a related activity on Saturday, April 14, at 10 a.m.

No charge to ABDNHA Members. For nonmembers, there is a $5.00 fee at the door, which may be applied to a new membership in ABDNHA. At the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. No reservations necessary. Seating is limited and on a first-come basis. For more information, call (760) 767-3098. Refreshments served following the program.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.
State-of-the-Art Solar Cooking
Outdoor demonstration with Larry Talbert

Apr. 14, Sat. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
IDA Presentation: Dark Skies, an International Perspective
Korean Documentary Film: For Those Denied the Night Sky
Presenter: Scott Kardel, Public Affairs Director, International Dark Sky Association

Learn about the international dark sky movement and why more and more communities around the world are turning their attention to the preservation of darkness. Following the presentation we will view the 50-minute Korean documentary “For Those Denied the Night Sky,” a film produced by Korean Public Television and partly filmed in Borrego Springs that explores the role of darkness as an integral part of the human spirit.

Held in the ABDNHA library, call the Nature Center to reserve $7; M $6; V $5

Noon-12:30 p.m. “The Borrego Microgrid”
Program with SDG&E Project Manager Neal Bartek

Apr. 14, Sat., 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Introduction to Solar Power
Presenter: Tommy Nelson, Borrego Solar Project Manager, U.S. Solar, Consultant to NRG

We jump from the dark skies of night to the opposite side of day and to the latest technology that permits us to generate electrical power from the sun, the star that powers all life on Earth. Learn how solar panels produce electricity, what goes into a modern solar plant, and how the sunshine falling on Borrego will ultimately be delivered to homes and businesses in the form of electricity. No charge, space limited. Call the Nature Center to reserve you spot. If you reserve a spot but cannot attend, please call to cancel so that someone else may have your place.

Apr. 14, Sat., 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Film: THE CITY DARK, a search for night on a planet that never sleeps

THE CITY DARK is a feature documentary about light pollution and the disappearing night sky. It premiered in competition at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize for Best Score/Music. It also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Environmental Film Fest at Yale.

After moving to light-polluted New York City from rural Maine, filmmaker Ian Cheney asks: “Do we need the dark?” Exploring the threat of killer asteroids in Hawaii, tracking hatching turtles along the Florida coast, and rescuing injured birds on Chicago streets, Cheney unravels the myriad implications of a globe glittering with lights. Featuring stunning astrophotography and a cast of eclectic scientists, philosophers, historians, and lighting designers, THE CITY DARK is the definitive story of light pollution and the disappearing stars. More.

Held in the ABDNHA library, call the Nature Center to reserve $7; M $6; V $5.

Apr. 14, Sat., 8 p.m.
Stargazing Program
Presenters: Astronomer Dr. Jim and Grace Rickard

Identify the constellations in our clear desert skies. Telescopes provided for observing Venus, Jupiter, Mars and the Orion nebula. Bring binoculars if you have them, flashlights, warm clothes and chairs. Sponsored by ABDNHA, there is no charge or reservations necessary for this excellent program.

We will be hosted by the Borrego Lutheran Church, located on Church Lane. If you need directions, please call the Nature Center, 760/767-3098. Canceled in case of cloud cover.

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Apr. 18, Wed., 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Hike: The Slot
Leaders: Naturalists Mike and Jan Bigelow

Join us for a fascinating walk into the Borrego Badlands. Before entering the slot canyon we will make a short detour for a close look at some intriguing wind caves. This is a moderate 3-mile loop trip. Bring hat, water, and sturdy shoes.

Meet at the Nature Center. No charge. Space limited; call ahead to reserve your place.

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Banded Rock Lizard

Apr. 20, Fri., 7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Lizards of Anza-Borrego Desert
Presenters: Larry Jones & Rob Lovich

Lizard experts Larry Jones and Rob Lovich will make their annual pilgrimage to the ABDNHA Library to give a presentation on “Lizards of Anza-Borrego.” Larry will provide an overview of the families and common species found in the Southwest, and Rob will follow with a discussion of species of found in the park. Their recent field research will also be discussed.

After the presentations, Rob and Larry will sign their book, Lizards of the American Southwest: A Photographic Field Guide. They will lead a lizard-viewing walk into Borrego Palm Canyon the next day. This year’s event has been moved to April so there should be plenty of lizards to see. The park has a very diverse lizard fauna and is a good place to see numerous species more typical of Mexico than the United States, such as Banded Rock Lizard, Baja California Brush Lizard, Granite Spiny Lizard, and Baja California Collared Lizard, plus a host of other familiar desert species.

Meets at ABDNHA. Call the Nature Center to reserve. NM $10; M $8; V $6.

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Banded Rock Lizard (closeup)

Apr. 21, Sat., 9 a.m. – Noon
Lizard Walk – Borrego Palm Canyon
Leaders: Larry Jones & Rob Lovich

Join Larry & Rob for a guided lizard-walk at Borrego Palm Canyon.

At the lower reaches of the canyon, we may see some low desert generalists such as Common Side-blotched Lizard, Tiger Whiptail, Desert Iguana, Desert Horned Lizard, and Zebra-tailed Lizard, while farther up in the canyon near the palm grove, we are likely to see Common Chuckwalla, Granite Spiny Lizard, Banded Rock Lizard, and Baja California Brush Lizard, and perhaps Baja California Collared Lizard.

Meet at ABDNHA and carpool to Borrego Palm Canyon. Bring binoculars – close-focus binoculars are usually best – plus water, sunscreen, a hat, sensible shoes, and snacks. There is an $8.00 per car parking fee. Call Nature Center to reserve.

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Apr. 21, Sat., 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hike: Volcan Mountain Five Oaks Trail
Leaders: Paul Larson, Urmi Ray and Sanjiv Nanda

Getting hot in the desert? Join us in the nearby mountains for a hike in the Julian area. This hike is a moderately strenuous 6 miles round trip with a fairly steep climb and an elevation gain of 1,500 feet with amazing views from the peak.

Meet at 9 a.m. at the trailhead. Trailhead parking is limited. Trailhead is on Farmer Road, just off Wynola Road. Take Route 78 up Banner Grade. Right on Wynola Road. Right on Farmer Road. Bring lunch, water, and dress appropriately; it can be cool. Wear sturdy hiking boots. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Apr. 21, Sat., 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Passive Solar Architecture
Speaker: Deborah Sperberg

How do you design, build, or retrofit a house that is toasty warm in winter and cooler in summer?  How can we design to use less of the earth’s dwindling resources? How can you retrofit an existing house to cut your electric bills and increase your comfort?  Join us for this informative one-hour program.

At the ABDNHA Library. No charge; space is limited, call to reserve.

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May 5, Sat., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hike: Pacific Crest Trail – Kwaaymii Point to Pedro Fages
Leaders: Urmi Ray and Sanjiv Nanda

Join Sanjiv and Urmi for hike on a beautiful section of the PCT with magnificent desert (Vallecitos and Oriflamme Canyon, Shelter Valley) and mountain views. This is a 12-mile hike with moderate grades totaling an elevation change of 1,500 feet. Please be prepared for car shuttling.

Meet at 9 a.m. at Pedro Fages Monument parking lot on S-1, Sunrise Highway south of Julian. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

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June 2, Sat., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hike: Laguna Lake Loop
Leaders: Urmi Ray and Sanjiv Nanda

This hike has it all: pine forest, a mountain stream, a lovely lake and of course, wildflowers! It's a moderate 7.5 miles with a wonderful spot for lunch.

Meet at 10 a.m. at Penny Pines at mile 27.3 on Sunrise Highway. A US Forest Service Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass must be displayed to park in this area. If you need to get one, arrive at 9:30 and obtain one from the Laguna Mountain Lodge at mile 23.5.

No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association
P O BOX 310 ( 652 Palm Canyon Drive) Borrego Springs, CA 92004-0310
Office 760-767-3052 | Desert Store & Nature Center 760-767-3098 | FAX 760-767-3099