Organizer
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Sandy Sladen
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Phone
714-404-7066 -
Email
sandysladen@gmail.com -
Sandy first discovered the mountains as a young girl spending summers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The mountains have called her ever since and she has been fortunate to have the opportunity to hike and backpack in the White Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, the Andes, the Annapurna region of Nepal, and in various Southern California ranges. She really got going after she turned 60 and completed all the 48, 4000 foot peaks in the White Mountains between the ages of 60-65 and then between 70-71 she hiked the PCT from Mexico to Idyllwild. When hiking, Sandy likes to be in the moment enjoying all the sights, sounds and smells of nature. She also enjoys nature writing and poetry. Sandy moved to Palm Springs in 2019 and joined the CVHC in 2024. She has enjoyed learning about new trails and meeting some great fellow hikers. Sandy looks forward to leading moderate hikes in some of her favorite places and sharing her love of nature and nature writing.
Big Morongo Nature Preserve – Canyon Trail
Big Morongo Nature Preserce, part of the Sand to Snow National Monument, is the a lush pocket tucked between the western edge of Joshua Tree National Park and the towns of Yucca Valley, Morongo Valley, and Desert Hot Springs. The canyon’s unique geographic makeup allows it to trap snowmelt from the nearby San Bernardino Mountains, creating a spring-fed wetland area that serves as an incredibly important travel corridor for wildlife. This is an especially popular stopover for migratory birds, so consider packing your binoculars and a camera to see if you can spot one of the 254 species listed in the Preserve’s birding list.
Our easy approximately 8 mile hike will take us through part of the preserve including a short uphill section offering views north towards the Sawtooth Mountains. Once on the Canyon Trail we will walk on mostly flat ground (there are a short few ups and downs) through the canyon, along a streambed and hopefully be treated to wildflowers.
Meeting Place:
Big Morongo Nature Preserve
11055 East Drive
Morongo Valley, CA
Take Highway 62 North off of I10 for 11.5 miles. Look for sign on Right once in Morongo Valley.
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Pace: 2 -2.5 miles per hour (moderate)
Group size: 12 hikers maximum
Please email Sandy with any questions and to request participation in the hike. Include your phone number. If you haven’t hiked with Sandy before, she may ask about your recent hikes.
HIKE LEADERS: Sandy Sladen
HIKE LOCATOR: Big Morongo Nature Preserve
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy
HIKE PACE: Medium
Note: You must be a current CVHC member to participate in this event! Join Now!