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Home | Activities | February 2010
February 2010 activities and events
El Vado Monument
Activities and events for February 2010:
- ABDNHA Lecture Series: History of
Public Lands (Feb. 26).
- Classes — Stargazing (Feb.
13), Sculpting the Desert (Feb. 21), Tracking
& Signing (Feb. 24), San Andreas Fault
(Feb. 27)
- Hikes and Tours — Ochre Canyon
(Feb.1), Grave Wash (Feb. 4), Grapevine
Canyon (Feb. 6), Old Banner Toll Road (Feb. 7),
Vista del Malpais (Feb. 10), Palms
to Pines (Feb. 12), Salton Sea (Feb. 13), Wind
Caves (Feb. 14), Coral Wash (Feb.18), Santa
Ysabel Preserve (Feb. 20), Sculpting the Desert
(Feb. 21) San Andreas Fault (Feb. 28).
- Stargazing — Dr. Jim and Grace
Rickard (Feb. 13)
- Photography — Dennis Mammana
(Feb. 20), Leo Larson (Feb. 27)
- Birding — Borrego Birders
(Feb. 1), Beginning Bird Walk (Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23).
- Meetings — Desert Gardeners
(Feb. 12), BRAG (Feb.13).
Feb. 1, Mon., 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hike: Ochre Canyon
Leader: Robin Halford
Hiking book author Robin Halford leads this 5-mile strenuous hike to Ochre
Canyon, north of Grapevine Mt. Hike includes a variety of desert plants through
a transition zone, several dry waterfalls, views to Volcan Mt., and a stretch
of the PCT.
Meet at the start of the Grapevine Cyn Jeep Rd on Hwy 78. From Tamarisk Grove,
drive west on Hwy 78 for 2.6 miles then turn right onto the jeep road. 4WD
required, be willing to carpool. Bring water, lunch, hiking shoes, hat &
jacket. No charge; call to reserve.
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Feb. 2, Tues., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Beginning Birding Walk
Leader: Mari Thygesen
Start the day right with this easy, one-mile walk around Club Circle, a good
birding area with level terrain. Learn to identify desert birds, their habitat
and behavior.
Meet at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance
to Borrego Springs Resort.
Bring binoculars, bird book, and water. Call the Nature Center for reservations.
Non-members: $5 donation requested; Members and volunteers: no charge.
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Feb. 4, Thurs., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tour: Exploring Grave Wash
Guide: Ocotillo Wells Park Naturalist
One of the most diverse areas of the park, Grave Wash has an almost limitless
amount of possibilities to explore. Join our naturalist on a tour of this
wonderfully diverse wash and be prepared to be blown away by what you see!
Meet at Holly Road on S22. Ten vehicles; please be willing to carpool. Requires
a 4WD, high clearance vehicle. Bring water, lunch, and a sense of adventure!
No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.
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Feb. 6, Sat., 9 a.m. – Noon
4WD Tour of Grapevine Canyon
Leader: Volunteer Naturalist Deborah Sperberg
Spend the morning exploring Grapevine Canyon. This canyon follows the southern
edge of Pinyon Ridge and contains several springs that flow into San Felipe
Creek. Stop at Angelina Springs, an important Indian village site, and possibly
a second spring.
Meet at the north side of Christmas Circle. Bring ample gas, plenty of water,
and a snack. Limit 8 4WD vehicles, please be willing to carpool. Call the
Nature Center to reserve; mention if you need a ride.
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Feb. 7, Sun., 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hike: Old Banner Toll Road
Leader: Geologist Don Barrie
Mesa College geology professor Don Barrie will lead a 3-mile round-trip moderate
hike along the Old Banner Toll Road. We’ll park near Hwy 78 and Whispering
Pines Road and pick up the Old Banner Toll Road (now a trail) for a hike down
to the Warlock Mine.
Discussion includes the local geology and the legacy of the Julian Mining
District. We’ll take in a spectacular view of the Elsinore Fault along
Banner Grade. Then we retrace our steps to where we started.
Meet at Scissors Crossing, and caravan to Julian.
2WD okay; meet at Scissors Crossing near the Historical Landmark on the north
side of Hwy 78. Bring lunch, water, and dress for cool weather. No charge;
call the Nature Center to reserve.
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Feb. 10, Wed., 9 a.m. – Noon
4WD Tour/Hike: Vista del Malpais
Leaders: Mary Ekelund and Paul Larson
Join in this popular, 3-mile moderate hike along a high sandy ridge for
beautiful views of the Borrego Badlands and to learn about their origins.
Return to the vehicles via a walk through a large wash.
Meet at the entrance to Font’s Wash on S-22, then carpool to the Vista
del Malpais area. 4WD required; please be willing to carpool. No charge, call
to reserve.
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Feb. 12, Fri., 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Program: Palms to Pines Birding & Nature Trail
Instructor: Kurt Leuschner
The Palms to Pines Birding & Nature Trail features 10 excellent sites
in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys where birders can find a wide variety
of species. Kurt will give an overview of the new birding trail and show you
some of the amazing birds that await you at each stop….Anza-Borrego
is stop #8!
A free color map/guide to the birding trail will be provided. Kurt will discuss
the upcoming 1st Annual Earth Day Birding Challenge on Sat., April 24, 2010.
At the ABDNHA Library. Call the Nature Center to reserve. NM: $10; M: $8;
V: $7.
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Feb. 13, Sat., 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Salton Sea Tour: Birds, Geology, Geothermal Power Plant
Co-leaders: Kurt Leuschner and Joe
Migliore
This trip is full. There is a waiting list.
Join these two outstanding desert naturalists as they team up once again
to offer this popular natural history tour of the Salton Sea! The winter bird
migration will be in full swing. We’ll visit the best viewing areas,
sighting up to 100 species, including the Sandhill Cranes and the colorful
“mystery bird.”
At Cal Energy there will be an illustrated talk on geothermal energy. Following
the talk is a walk onto one of the huge steam-driven power plant turbines
(The turbine portion of the tour is limited to the first 15 people).
Then, on to a close-up of the gurgling mud “volcanoes,” and discussion
about the volcanism beneath our feet! If time permits, we’ll go to Salvation
Mt.—one man’s colorful monument to faith.
Meet at the Nature Center for 7:30 carpool departure. Bring a full tank of
gas, lunch, water, sunscreen, jacket, walking shoes (no open toed shoes),
binoculars, and two way radios if you have them. Dress code for the geothermal
plant tour is long pants, walking shoes, no tank tops. Call for reservations
at the Nature Center. NM: $18; M: $16; V: $14.
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Feb. 13, Sat., 10 a.m.
Borrego Rock & Gem Club (B.R.A.G.)
New members and those interested in joining are encouraged to attend. Find
out about the upcoming educational programs, trips, activities, and meetings
for the 2010 season. Bob Veborg, president.
Meets at the ABDNHA Library.
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Feb. 13, Sat., 7:30 p.m.
Stargazing Program
Presenters: Astronomer Dr. Jim and Grace Rickard
Telescopes provided for observing red Mars, and the best of the winter constellations
- Orion, his dogs and Taurus the bull. View our neighboring galaxy, the Andromeda
nebula. Bring binoculars (if you have them), warm clothes, chairs and flashlights.
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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Feb. 14, Sun., 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Hike: Wind Caves at Fish Creek
Leaders: Naturalists Mike and Jan Bigelow
Come with us on a rigorous but delightful hike to the Wind Caves, interesting
formations carved in sandstone. The trail up to the caves is short (1/2 mile)
but very steep with loose rock. At the top we will walk among the formations
and from a point on a hill we get a magnificent view of the Elephant Knees.
We will loop down from the caves to join a drainage (where some bolder scrambling
is required) that leads back to Fish Creek Wash. Bring water, snack and wear
sturdy hiking boots.
Meet at the Nature Center from where we will carpool to Fish Creek Wash.
No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.
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Feb. 18, Thurs., 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tour: Exploring Coral Wash (Freeman Property)
Guide: Ocotillo Wells Park Naturalist
Discover some of the unnoticed wonders of Coral Wash. Join us as we caravan
the length of this often overlooked wash. Highlights include a look at our
volatile geologic past, short walks through hidden side canyons, as well as
a closer look at some of the residents who share this recreational wonderland
with us. This is sure to be an entertaining fun trip for the entire family.
Meet at Holly Road, off S22 (the Borrego-Salton Seaway) in the OWSVRA. Holly
Road is the last entrance into OWSVRA, approximately 3.5 miles west of Hwy
86. Limited to 10 vehicles; please be willing to carpool. Requires high clearance
4WD vehicle. Bring water & lunch. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.
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Feb 20, Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hike: Santa Isabel Preserve West
Leaders: Urmi Ray and Sanjiv Nanda
Come join us for the newly opened (Dec 2009) West section of the Preserve.
The trail is easy to moderate, distance is approximately 6 miles roundtrip
with beautiful views of the valley.
Meet at the entrance of the preserve on Rte 78 (From Borrego Springs, the
entrance to the preserve is approx 1 mile West of Dudleys) at 9AM; bring warm
clothes, lunch and water, sturdy boots and binoculars. Rain cancels. No charge,
call the Nature Center to reserve.
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Feb. 20, Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Desert Photo Class
Speaker: Astronomer Dennis Mammana
Don’t just take pictures of the desert, capture this remarkable environment
like a pro. With some basic, yet often neglected photo techniques and tricks
– lighting and color, composition and creative setting – you’ll return home
with more stunning images than you ever imagined possible.
Held in the ABDNHA Library. Call for reservations, NM $10; M $8; V $6.
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Feb. 21, Sun., 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Class: Sculpting the Desert with Wind and Water
Speaker: Michael Wangler, Professor
of Geography, Cuyamaca College
The openness found in the desert invites many of nature’s most powerful forces.
Of these, the actions of wind & water stand out as the most influential in
sculpting the desert landscape. This class will look at the influence of wind
& water in shaping the landscapes of the desert southwest, with particular
attention to the Anza-Borrego Desert. A field trip will follow the morning
class. (see related field trip, Feb 21 at Noon) There will be a half hour
for lunch prior to the start of the field trip. Please bring water & lunch,
and be prepared for the day’s weather.
Held in the ABDNHA Library. Reservations required. Call the Nature Center
to reserve. NM $12; M $10; V $8
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Feb. 21, Sun., Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Field Trip: Sculpting the Desert with Wind and Water
Leader: Michael Wangler, Professor of Geography, Cuyamaca College
The field trip follows a morning class that introduces the influences of
wind and water on the desert. We will visit both erosional & depositional
features formed by the actions of wind & water, including entrenched canyons,
alluvial fans, playas, badlands, and sand dunes. The field trip will involve
several short, easy to moderately hikes to explore the sculpted landscapes
of the Anza-Borrego Desert. Please bring water, snack and be prepared for
the day’s weather. 4WD vehicles are required.
Meet at the Nature Center. There is no charge, but reservations are required.
Call the Nature Center to reserve. (see related class Feb 21. 9 a.m.)
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Coyote Creek near Middle Willows
Feb. 24, Wed., 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Class: Introduction to Track & Sign–Learning to See
Presenter: Michael Crouse
This class will be a basic introduction to recognizing the most common tracks
encountered in our area. Through photos and illustrations, students will begin
to see patterns of recognition and develop a better awareness of their surroundings.
Fascinating stories about the behavior of the creatures around us are there
to see- if you know what to look for. This class opens the door to a lifetime
worth of study and discovery. Opportunity for further study will be available.
Held in the ABDNHA Library. Reservations required. Call the Nature Center
to reserve. NM $28; M $24; V $22
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Feb. 26, Fri., 7:30 p.m.
ABDNHA 38th Annual Desert Lecture Series
America’s Greatest Gift: Public Lands
Greg Hill, Bureau of Land Management
Planning & Environmental Coordinator Greg Hill presents the history of
U.S. public lands, described as the greatest gift to the American people.
Learn how the concept of public lands evolved from the beginnings of the nation
up to the present day, including the creation of Anza-Borrego Desert State
Park.
Program sponsored by John Drum
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. Seating is limited and on a first-come basis. For
information: 1-760-767-3098. Refreshments served following the program.
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Feb. 27, Sat., 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Desert Photography Workshop
Guide: Landscape Photographer Leo Larson
Participate in an early morning photo shoot workshop with Leo Larson and
learn how to create imagery that takes advantage of the desert’s patterns,
colors, textures and design. Bring a camera (film or digital); a tripod (not
mandatory). Bring water. Meet at the Nature Center. No charge; call to reserve.
Limited to 15 participants.
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Feb. 27, Sat., 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Lecture: The San Andreas Fault
Speaker: David K. Lynch, Ph.D.
(See related field trip on Feb. 28.)
What is the San Andreas Fault? Where is it? What does it do to the landscape?
Will an earthquake make California fall into the ocean? What risks does it
pose? When is the “big one” coming?
These any many other questions about the infamous San Andreas Fault will
be discussed in an all-color presentation. Topics include plate tectonics,
continental drift, fault activity, the origin of volcanoes, and the geologic
future of California.
At the Nature Center Library. Call to reserve. NM $12; M $10; V $8.
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Feb. 28, Sun., 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
Field Trip: San Andreas Fault &
Salton Sea Geothermal Field
Leader: David K. Lynch, Ph.D.
(See related program on Feb. 27.)
An all-day trip to visit a number geological features related to the San
Andreas Fault—the Salton Buttes volcanoes, geothermal mud pots and mud
volcanoes, and Salt Creek where we will be able to actually stand on the San
Andreas Fault. Along the way, see breathtaking views of the Salton Sea and
migratory birds.
Involves some leisurely drives on well-graded dirt roads and light walking.
No 4WD or serious hiking is required.
David Lynch is an infrared astronomer and remote sensing specialist at the
Aerospace Corporation. David also does geological research and has been a
consultant for USGS. He has published 10 books, including Field Guide
to the San Andreas Fault, available at the Nature Center.
Meet at the Nature Center. Call us to reserve. NM $25; M $20; V $18.
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