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Springtime in the Desert … with Friends!To fully take advantage of the glorious weather, we jam-pack February with FUN. |
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Walkin’ And Rollin’ For Friends |
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Tour de Palm Springs is back, bigger, and better than ever on February 11th! Donate or participate! Choose Friends as your charity and 100% of the proceeds comes to us! THANK YOU! Ways to Participate: 1) Sign-up to ride or walk as a Friends participant, register with our non-profit code: FODM23 (located under “Additional Information” section of application). 100% of entry fees are returned to FODM as long as you use the code. 2) Donate directly to Friends’ Pledge Page by this Friday, 2/10 |
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Rockin’ & Rollin’ With Friends |
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Join us for delightful evening of live music and dancing at The Gardens on El Paseo with Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs on Feb 18, 2023 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Shake a tailfeather or sit ‘n sip a little wine – and help raise funds to support Friends’ mission and programs. Get your tickets soon – it’s very likely we’ll sell out! Thank you to our sponsors Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs and Terra Nova Planning! |
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Wildflower Walks Start in February |
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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. |
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HEY… WAIT FOR ME!The story of the quail family sculpture in Friends’ foyer by Dick and Suzanne Southard |
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Having lived in California for 20 years we truly enjoyed watching all the birds especially the quail. My wife suggested that I carve a quail family. We had watched many families and I don’t believe we ever saw one that didn’t have one of the young the trailed behind……that, prompted my carving and it’s name. When I get a vision I start looking at my wood and decide which wood fits which piece and the same with the bases. I had this large unique piece of Manzanita Root and had wondered how it might be used. As the quail carving progressed I saw it would greatly enhance this piece of art. I took advantage of the richness and the grain of Butternut and characteristics of the wood to carve the quail. I needed harder wood for the legs and feet so I chose Grapevine, a stronger wood. The top knot, is a slice of Walnut. I needed a graveled area for the quail to stand on. I discovered a way to make an appearance of sand, by grinding many different woods and combining them to look like gravel. So the title was clear : “ HEY WAIT FOR ME” |
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Friends’ February Events + Wildflowers! |
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Enjoy learning about our desert spring wildflowers. You will walk about 45 minutes on the Randall Henderson “Wash” trail and learn how to identify the various wildflowers. Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, & 27 8:30am-10:30am Randall Henderson Parking Lot 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Grab your hiking boots and join Friends of the Desert Mountains docents on a full moon hike on the Bighorn Overlook trail loop. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows. Astronomers will have their telescopes set up for star gazing. This is a family friendly easy 2-mile hike with 275 feet of elevation gain. The trail is narrow, 2 feet wide and on cobbled desert terrain. No dogs for this hike. RESERVATION REQUIRED Monday, February 6 7:00pm-9:00pm Rancho Mirage City Hall 69825 CA-111 Rancho Mirage, CA, 92270 This is the newest trail to open in the Coachella Valley. The trail is part of Joshua Tree National Park. We will explore the area and learn about the Metropolitan Water District and how they transport water to the Los Angeles area. As we enter the wilderness area, we will discuss how the low desert plants have adapted to the higher elevation. This trail is mostly level with gradual elevation gain. Hike is easy, 2 miles in/out. RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 7 9:00am-11:00am Long Canyon Parking Area Long Canyon Rd (dirt road) Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is an easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet elevation gain. The trail is 6 feet wide at the beginning and narrows to 2 feet wide with cobbled, uneven desert terrain. No dogs for this hike. LIMITED TICKETS! RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 7 7:00pm-10:00pm La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate at Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA, 92253 Friends of the Desert Mountains astronomers will be setting up their telescopes and are inviting you to their “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see stars, constellations, bright planets, a full moon, and sometimes special events like meteor showers or an eclipse. While observing the night sky, occasionally we might see the international space station moving over the Coachella Valley. NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES AND HIGH WINDS CANCEL THIS EVENT. RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 7 7:30pm-10:00pm La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate at Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA, 92253 Herb Jeffries Trail Interpretive Hike Celebrate Black History month hiking the Herb Jefferies Trail. This urban trail begins on a narrow, uneven, uphill climb and intersects with the Bump-n-Grind. We will loop back on the Hopalong Cassidy Trail. This hike is rated moderate. Elevation gain is 650 feet, approximately 2 miles roundtrip. RESERVATION REQUIRED Wednesday, February 8 8:30am-10:29am Cahuilla Hills Park 45825 Edgehill Dr, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Randall Henderson Trail Interpretive Hike Our guides will take you on a hike through the SRSJ National Monument! This trail is in a sandy wash, can be narrow and on uneven desert terrain. You will have two options: hike all 3 loops of the trail approximately 3 miles round trip with an elevation gain of approximately 250 feet, OR hike 2 loops of the trail approximately 2 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 200 feet. This hike is considered easy to moderate. RESERVATION REQUIRED Thursdays, February 9, 16, & 23 8:30am-11:00am Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Our docents will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument! There is a chance to see the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep with one of their newborn lambs. The trail is about 2 feet wide with some cobble. The distance may be 3-4 miles with elevation gain of 500 to 850 feet. This hike is considered strenuous. Thursdays, February 9, & 23 8:30am-11:00am Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 During the springtime this wash area usually has abundant wildflowers. You leave the wash and climb the mud hill. At the top it opens to a spectacular view of Salton Sea. The trail is flat until you reach the top of the ravine and hike down into the oasis. You will enter the oasis to enjoy the many California fan palms and wildlife habitat. You will exit Hidden oasis and follow the sandy wash towards Horseshoe oasis. The trail leads up a steep incline and loops back to the trail. 3-mile hike with an elevation gain of 400 ft. RESERVATION REQUIRED Friday, February 10 8:30am-11:00am Pushawalla Palms Trailhead Thousand Palms Canyon Rd Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241 Indio Hills Badlands Trail Interpretive Hike This trail offers a spectacular loop through a classic badland topography formed by thousands of years of erosion and an active San Andreas Fault. You’ll hike through slot canyons, in the shadow of tectonic up tilts, sandy washes, switchbacks, short but steep incline and along a prominent ridge with 360 views from the Salton See to San Gorgonio Mountain. The distance is 5 miles with an elevation gain of 600 feet. RESERVATION REQUIRED Friday, February 10 9:00am-12:30pm Friday, February 17 8:30am-12:00am Indio Hills Badlands Parking Lot Golf Center Parkway & Ave 42, Indio, CA 92203 Tour de Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley Support Friends of the Desert Mountains by walking or riding in the Tour De Palm Springs and registering with our non-profit code FODM23. Your registration fee will help protect our local mountain views, hiking and biking trails, and unique wildlife found nowhere else on Earth! Choose from the several routes, either biking or walking. Register through BikeReg. For more information call our office at 760.568.9918. Saturday, February 11 6:00am-5:00pm S. Palm Canyon Drive between Tahquitz & Baristo Palm Springs, CA, 92262 Indian Palms at Coachella Valley Preserve Adaptive Sports Hike Join SoCal Adaptive Sports, Friends of the Desert Mountains, and Desert Recreation District volunteer docents on a hike for persons with disabilities at Indian Palms at Coachella Valley Preserve. This trail is 1.2 miles out and back. We will be checking for spring wildflowers to be blooming. Elevation is about 50 feet. Trail is easy. Register through the Desert Recreation District. For more information contact Michael at 760.469.9207 or mike@socaladaptivesports.org. RESERVATION REQUIRED Saturday, February 11 8:30am-10:30am Coachella Valley Preserve 28402 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241 Join the Astronomical Society of the Desert for fun “sky tours” and direct observations of the night sky through telescopes and binoculars at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument. This is a family event. Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian. NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES AND HIGH WINDS CANCEL THIS EVENT. Saturday, February 11 5:00pm-9:00pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Lecture: Plants Live in the Desert: How do They Do That People use umbrellas and shade hats to avoid the hot sun, carry jugs of water with them for drinking, and spray sunscreen all over themselves to protect their skin from damaging sunshine. Learn about some of the desert plants that are super survivors and the various ways they are able to live in the brutal summer heat of the desert. Sunday, February 12 11:00am-12:00pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Lecture: Only 8 Light-Minutes from Earth, A closer look at our nearest star The closest star to us is the SUN. It is about a mere 93 million miles away from us in the center of our solar system. Since life on the third rock depends on this fortunate distance, let’s take a close look at our star. This presentation will cover some history of discovery, solar anatomy, and probable origin. Meet on the Visitor Center patio. Sunday, February 12 1:00pm-2:00pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Lecture: We All Live Downstream……… Friends of the Desert Mountains will be delivering a presentation that discusses the general concepts of where our water comes from and how our water is used in the Coachella Valley. They will be discussing items such as the Salton Sea, the Colorado River, the underground aquifer, and how we interact with these systems during a time of unprecedented drought. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED Monday, February 13 2:00pm-3:00pm Rancho Mirage Library 71100 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 This trail is partially located on an active sand dune. We will be looking for spring wildflowers that only grow in this environment. The area is also home to several species listed on the Coachella Valley Endangered or Threatened list. Hike will be 2-3 miles long. Tuesday, February 14 9:00am-11:00am Kim Nicole Trailhead Parking Area Corkhill Rd & 20th Ave, Cathedral City, CA 92234 Join Friends’ docents for a nature walk in Blixseth Mountain Park. We will share fun facts about desert flora and fauna. As well as interesting information about the Native Cahuilla people. This is a leisurely ½ mile narrow walking path on uneven terrain with no elevation gain and little shade. This path is friendly to dogs on a leash. RESERVATION REQUIRED Wednesday, February 15 8:30am-9:30am Blixseth Park 71255, Mirage Road, Rancho Mirage CA, 92270 Interpretative Guided Hike, Chuckwalla Trail 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. Our volunteer leaders will share information about the National Monument and some local history. The distance is 3 miles with an elevation gain of 400 feet. RESERVATION REQUIRED Friday, February 17 9:00am-11:30am Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA Join 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 requested. No white lights near telescope field. NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES AND HIGH WINDS CANCEL THIS EVENT. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED Saturday, February 18 5:00pm-9:00pm Sawmill Trailhead Parking Lot HWY-74 at Pinon Flats Transfer Station Road, CA, 92561 Music in the Gardens: Lisa Lynn & the Broken Hallelujahs Come out for an evening of wine and live entertainment and support Friends of the Desert Mountains. All ticket purchases will help protect our local mountain views, hiking and biking trails, and unique wildlife! Enjoy music by Lisa Lynn & the Broken Hallelujahs, respected and well-known musicians in the Coachella Valley and Joshua Tree music scenes. The band describes its style as “y’all-ternative country, rock and soul.” This one-hour concert takes place on the center lawn in front of Saks Fifth Avenue at the Gardens on El Paseo. Wine service will begin at 5:15pm, with entertainment taking the stage at 6pm. For ticket purchases visit The Gardens on El Paseo website. For more information call our office at 760.568.9918. Saturday, February 18 5:15pm-7:00pm The Gardens on El Paseo 73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA, 922 A 3 mile out-and-back trail near Cathedral City. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day. Hiking poles are suggested as trail can be uneven. Trail is moderate difficulty. Tuesday, February 21 9:00am-11:00am Goat Trails Parking Area Palm Hills Rd, Palm Springs, CA, 92264 Lecture: Flora of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa National Monument Volunteer Only Event The dramatic elevation changes in the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains give rise to five life zones, home to a diverse array of plants. Learn about the naturally occurring native plants in our local mountains. Meet on the patio of the Visitor Center, space is limited. Call For more information contact Monzerrat at 760.568.9918 or mloza@desertmountains.org. Thursday, February 23 12:30pm-1:30pm Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Moon Country Loop Trail Interpretive Hike We will begin our trek at Coachella Valley Preserve hiking through the oasis along the San Andreas Fault to McCallum Pond. We will do a stopover at the pond before heading up the trail to Moon Country. The area is rich in geology and history. Along the way you may find one of several endangered species. During springtime a wide variety of wildflowers can usually be seen. This 5.0-mile hike is rated easy with an elevation gain of 250 feet. Bring your camera, wildflower books, picnic lunch, and 2 liters of water per person. RESERVATION REQUIRED Friday, February 24 8:30am-12:00pm Coachella Valley Preserve 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd Thousand Palms, CA 92276 Enjoy this easy-moderate 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 along the trail to the ridge above Bear Creek Wash to the Cove Oasis and trails end. RESERVATION REQUIRED Fridays, February 24 9:00am-11:30am Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA 92253 2023 Wildflower 5k Trail Fun Run/Walk Families and friends, come out and start your day with a 5K TRAIL FUN Run/Walk on the Randall Henderson Trail. All ages are welcome! This family fun event is about experiencing nature at its best, with beautiful spring wildflowers and breathtaking views of the Santa Rosa mountains. Sorry no dogs or strollers are allowed on the trail. Friends of the Desert Mountains is celebrating 35 years of conservation in the Coachella Valley. Entrance fee is $35.00 per person and includes a t-shirt. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Sign-ups end at 6pm on Friday, February 24. For more information call our office 760.568.9918. Saturday, February 25 Registration: 7:30am Race: 8:00am-9:30am Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Long Canyon Trail Adaptive Sports Hike Join SoCal Adaptive Sports, Friends of the Desert Mountains, and Desert Recreation District docents for a hike for persons with disabilities, their family and friends on the Long Canyon Trail. This is the newest trail to open in the Coachella Valley. This trail is part of Joshua National Park. We will then enter wilderness area where the desert plants show how they have adapted to the higher elevation. Trail is mostly level and very gradual elevation. We will hike about 3 miles total round trip. Register through the Desert Recreation District. For more information contact Michael at 760.469.9207 or mike@socaladaptivesports.org. RESERVATION REQUIRED Saturday, February 25 8:30am- 11:30am Long Canyon Parking Area Long Canyon Rd (dirt road) Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 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. Meet on the Visitor Center patio. RESERVATION REQUIRED Saturday, February 25 9:00am-10:00am Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 The Randall Henderson Trail is habitat for our endangered desert tortoise. A National Monument Park Ranger, will lead you on this 2-mile loop hike. The trail is in a sandy wash on uneven desert terrain and 2 feet wide. You will learn many interesting tidbits as you search for the tortoises on the trail. At trails end, you will have the opportunity to visit with the Visitor Center’s desert tortoise ambassador Bowser, at his burrow. RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 28 9:00am-11:00am Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Pacific Crest Trail at Snow Creek Hike Join Friends guide on a hike on the spectacular Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and learn about some of the epic resources unique to the Monument! Moderate hike through desert wash, 300-foot elevation gain, 2.5-miles round trip. Trail is moderate difficulty. RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 28 9:00am-11:00am Pacific Crest Trail Snow Creek Trailhead Snow Creek Canyon Rd & Falls Creek Rd Whitewater, CA 92282 Coming Up in March – – – – – – – – – – – COACHELLA VALLEY WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL We are excited to invite you to the 16th annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival! We will be gathering together in Palm Desert on March 4th, and also offering fun virtual options as well – we have once again planned the festival to be even more accessible to everyone wanting to Connect to the Land. This FREE event celebrates wellness, recreation, safety and the outdoors. Featuring local artists and exhibitors, a kids’ zone, beer & wine garden with live music, food & beverages for purchase, raffles and much, much more! For more information call our office at 760.862.9918. Saturday, March 4 9:00am-4:00pm Palm Desert Civic Center Park 43900 San Pablo Palm Desert, CA 92260 |
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Homes in PALM DESERT area
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