FODM Interpretive Hike Program: Connecting People to the Land

I should have known something was up in October 2021 when Ada from Friends of the Desert Mountains (FODM) asked me to spend the day hiking with her. . She claimed it was because we hadn't hiked together in over a year. We met at the Hidden Palms trailhead in Palm Desert, and she spent the next 3 miles explaining why this would be a fantastic new trail to add to the FODM guided interpretive hike program. She concluded the hike by asking me to train with other FODM hike leaders in the fall and then take responsibility for leading hikes to Hidden Palms during the 2022 winter hiking season. She is an exceptional salesperson, and it was impossible to say 'No' to her. Since that fall hike, I've continued to serve as a hike leader in the guided interpretive hiking program and have contributed to expanding the number of hiking options we offer.

Hidden Palms Guided Hike

On February 11, 2022, I led my first interpretive guided hike on the Hidden Palms trail. In my opinion, it was an 'OK' start. I felt it took leading three or four hikes before I found my voice and gained confidence in leading a hike. Hidden Palms was an excellent training ground because it allowed me to discuss topics I'm passionate about: San Andreas Fault activity, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, the crucial role of desert palm oases, and hiking in general. It has become a tradition each year to kick off the winter hiking season with this hike.

I had no idea that I would keep encountering amazing people on hikes every winter and fall.

2024

This year, we greatly broadened my program by adding 9 new hikes. Naturally, we began the year with a hike to Hidden Palms, which has become our signature season opener. Additionally, due to popular demand, we also repeated the Indio Badlands and Vargas Palms hikes.

Kim Nichols Trail Interpretative Hike

The Kim Nichols guided hike was a first time I've led this FODM hike. I know I'm suppose to enjoy leading these hikes but Kim Nichols was a tough assignment. Nothing stands out to make this a memorable adventure. I'm hoping the organization does not ask me to lead it again.

Moon Country Loop Trail Interpretative Hike

This was another hike suggested by Ada that was well received. The heavy rains from last fall left the hills blanketed the hills in green vegetation. Much of the hike did not resemble the 'lunar surface' we usually see on this trail. People enjoyed ending the hike with a brief walk through the Thousand Palms Preserve.

Willis Palms & West Mesa Trail Hike

This hike was yet another chance to co-lead with Susan. I've gained so much knowledge from her. No one else in the organization pushes me like Susan does to speak with passion and make the hikes engaging on multiple levels.

Bear Creek Was Trail Hike

Ada once again demonstrated she knows the FODM audience by asking Dave and me to lead this hike multiple times during the winter. Each time, the feedback was extremely positive. This winter, the majority of the bushes and trees were covered in desert star vine. Although this vine is noninvasive, it is highly aggressive and has spread across the valley floor due to the fall rains. Susan and I have had numerous discussions about whether the vine is harming the plants that act as scaffolding. Only time will tell.

Cathedral Canyon Trail to Dunn Rd Interpretative Hikes

This year, we expanded our winter offerings by introducing several challenging hikes. The first was Cathedral Canyon, making its debut for FODM. One participant turned back early after encountering the initial steep switchbacks. The main difficulty, however, was a participant with a bad knee who fell multiple times, resulting in cuts on her hands and leg. Despite another hiker offering her hiking poles to reduce the strain on her knee, she was stubborn and refused. After the hike, we had a lengthy discussion about whether it was suitable for her to register for this hike. It was an important lesson for me. The highlight of the hike was guiding the group to an isolated single palm tree in the middle of a wash... with no other palms in sight.

This winter, FODM asked me to guide three hikes in the Mecca Wilderness, located within the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument. My answer was an enthusiastic YES; we've loved the Mecca Wilderness since our first hike in 2016. I was thrilled at the chance to introduce others to these remarkable lands. For each of the hikes, we asked a member of the coalition who is promoting the new monument to address the hikers. Due to the popularity of these three hikes, we are considering expanding the number of Mecca hike offerings in 2025, next winter. Below is a map of the proposed new national monument with the Mecca Wilderness outlined in black.

Mecca Wilderness: Desert Oasis & Grotto Hike

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Unfortunately, during this hike, a person experienced dehydration and severe exhaustion. He failed to inform us at the beginning that he was still recovering from the flu. This marks yet another hike with notable first aid challenges this winter. This hiking season has been full of challenges so far.

Big Morongo Preserve Hike

Big Morongo was the second in a series of guided hikes in the Sand to Snow National Monument that Susan and I co-lead. Our goal was to educate people about the

Big Morongo was the second guided hike in the Sand to Snow National Monument series that Susan and I co-lead. Our aim was to educate participants about the critical role Big Morongo plays as a wildlife corridor.

Mecca Wilderness: Skeleton Canyon Hike

Dave and I found this amazing Mecca hike in 2022 and finally had the chance to introduce this canyon to FODM hikers. Faults and slot canyons are just some of the adventures this canyon offers.

Mecca Wilderness: Painted Canyon Hike

Typically, many individuals are reluctant to drive into Painted Canyon Wash due to the road conditions, but the presence of a group seemed to provide reassurance, as over 18 people took part in this hike that Susan and I co-lead. A special guest and his guide dog accompanied us on this journey. This was an excellent chance for hikers to learn how to engage with a guide dog while they are 'on duty'.

Vargas Palms Guided Hike

Regrettably, I failed to download the hike announcement from the 'FODM Calendar of Events' before the website was redesigned and the calendar was removed. Only a few hikers completed the final segment of the hike, which included some minor boulder scrambling. Those who didn't hike to the palms stayed with the Sweep until we returned.

2023

During the winter of 2023, Dave and I led a 4new guided hikes for Friends as well as many repeat hikes from 2022.

Indio Badlands Guided Hike

Dave and I have always enjoyed hiking in the Indio Hills Badlands, so we were more than willing to lead this guided hike.

Mission Creek Guided Hike

Mission Creek is one of my favorite guided hikes in the late winter. I frequently partner with Susan, another volunteer for FODM hikes, to co-lead this hike She is a walking encyclopedia on desert flora. She is so passionate about the topic and it's inspiring to watch her interact with people who sign up for these hikes. Moreover, she and Tom are friends, which makes our hiking experience even more enjoyable.

Susan on the left in this photo holding the invasive Sahara Mustard plant.

Here's a more typical photo of Susan, not looking at the camera since she her head is buried in a plant explaining something to some of the hikers.

Oswit Canyon Guided Hike

The guided hike into Oswit Canyon was a new experience for FODM. While it's a fantastic hike, it tends to be more challenging than anticipated by some. Regrettably, in 2023, this hike was canceled due to concerns from the Bureau of Land Management regarding access to this unofficial trail.

For more information click on this link about Dave and my hike to Oswit Canyon.

Vargas Palms Guided Hike

Dave and I attempted to add another new guided hike to the program in 2023. Vargas Palms located west of Palm Springs is more of an off-the-beaten path type of hike that not many people have heard of or experienced. As usual, we always do a prep hike a day or two before any new hike. On these days we familiarize ourselves with the trail, landmarks, points of interest, and important flora and fauna. Unfortunately, this week was scheduled after an exceptional number of rain events. We were greeted with this sign at the place which was located about half a mile from our proposed meeting spot.

Not to be outdone by nature, we decided to park at the road closure sign and try to hike to the trail. Although we reached the planned trail, we encountered one water crossing after another. What was typically a low flow stream had turned into a hundred foot wide river. Although we were up to the challenge, it wasn't necessarily what others might consider 'fun'.

We didn't complete the hike and after returning to the car called the FODM office and asked them to cancel the hike for safety reasons. Unfortunately, we weren't able to reschedule the hike this year. Hopefully next year we can introduce this hike to the Friends community. Click on the link about Dave and my successful hike to Vargas Palms.

Painted Canyon & Ladder Canyon Private Guided Hike

A small backstory to this hike. I met Josh and Peggi in 2022 when they joined me on a Hidden Palms guided hike. During that hike, they expressed interest in completing the Painted Canyon/Ladder Canyon hike in Mecca but felt apprehensive about doing it on their own. That conversation didn't lead to anything at the time. However, in 2023, we crossed paths again on another guided hike and decided to arrange a private FODM hike of Painted Canyon/Ladder Canyon. Spending the day with them was wonderful, as we shared stories about family, travel, work, and retirement. They are two remarkable people with incredible life experiences. The day after our hike, they sent me this email.

Hi Steve.

In a life that has had many highlights. Today was truly memorable.

Thanks so much.

Josh and Peggi

This is why I love leading hikes for Friends. My response to them,

Hi Josh and Peggi,

The pleasure was all mine! It was a great day packed with loads of memories for me as well. Looking forward to hiking together in 2024.

THXS Steve

Dolomite Mine and Horsethief Creek Guided Hike

My final two hikes of winter 2023 provided another opportunity to partner with Susan and Tom on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa Mountain Wilderness. We began hiking at higher altitudes at the suggestion of the National Monument Manager, who wanted our guided hikes to 'follow the wildflowers'. During April, the warmer weather had triggered wildflower blooms in the mountain and our Dolomite Mine & Horsethief Creek hike was perfectly timed.

Susan gave a great talk about fire ecology discussing how plants reacted following a wildfire that affected this region in 2020.

Everyone agreed they had never seen the area looking so green and full of blooms before.

The first time we offered this hike, 4 people completed the full 5-mile trail.

Later in April we scheduled the hike again. This time, four people joined the longer hike, but it was cut short when we encountered a Red Diamond Rattlesnake about a mile in. I noticed the snake around 10 feet ahead of us, and we were immediately met with the distinctive rattle sound. After everyone recovered from the initial shock, I used this moment as an educational opportunity to talk about rattlesnakes and rattlesnake safety. Not surprisingly, I was peppered with questions about how to respond to a rattle snake bite. Although the hike was shortened, no one seemed disappointed, judging by their chatter on the way back to the trailhead. It was a fitting conclusion to the season's guided hike program.

2022

In 2022, Dave and I began our first season leading hikes for FODM. As a new hike leader, I organized just two different hikes this winter: Hidden Palms and Chuckwalla Trail Loop. Due to uncertainty about how the hike program would be received after COVID, FODM restricted the winter hiking options but included the typical fall hikes: Carrizo Canyon and Dead Indian Canyon.

Chuckwalla Trail Guided Hike

This trail is more urban, which isn't my preferred type of hike. However, since many FODM hikers enjoy it, I agreed to lead the hike every other week.

Carrizo Canyon Guided Hike

Carrizo Canyon ranks among the top short hikes in Palm Desert. This 2.7-mile treasure features remarkable geological attractions. However, it is closed annually from January through September to protect the critical habitat of the Bighorn Peninsula Sheep.

In October 2022, I had the opportunity to lead a private hike for two Canadian visitors who reached out to FODM with their special request. They were short on time and wouldn't be able to attend the scheduled hikes so they offered to make a substantial donation if we would provide a private hike.

Dead Indian Canyon Guided Hike

Like Carrizo Canyon, this trail is accessible only from October to December due to its importance as a habitat for Peninsula Bighorn Sheep. This hike is unique because it offers a diverse range of desert plants and an excellent vantage point to see a desert palm oasis. I tend to lead people over a rock scramble and get them a little closer to the oasis than others!