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 Walk About – Warm-Up Hike #1
Get Your Trail Legs Back in Shape!
I have planned a series of four relatively easy 3-4 mile hikes designed to get us back in shape for the desert hiking season. If you have been lying on the beach, hiking in other climates, avoiding the summer heat, traveling or just hanging out, these hikes will be a good way to get back into desert hiking. And if you are new to the club these will be a good place to start meeting people and getting to know some local trails.
Each hike will be listed on the calendar individually and include Warm-Up Hike 1, 2 3, 4 in the title so you will know it is part of this series. Of course, you can join as many or as few in the series as you like. Please contact me at sandysladen@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Big Morongo Walk About – Warm-Up Hike #1
Date: Monday, October 5, 8:30am
Located in Morongo Valley north of Desert Hot Springs, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is well recognized as an important wildlife corridor that links the San Gorgonio Wilderness with the San Bernardino National Forest and Joshua Tree National Park.This corridor allows wildlife, including mule deer, big horn sheep, and mountain lions to move freely within this area and is an internationally-recognized birding site.
While there are several hikes in the Preserve we will take a loop hike including some initial boardwalks, the Yucca Ridge Trail overlooking the Preserve, down the upper part of Big Morongo Canyon and back via the West Canyon trail. Easy footing along dirt paths with minimal elevation gain.
Distance: 4.25 Miles
Elevation Gain: 550 ft
Pace: 2 mph
Group size: 15 hikers maximum
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. Plenty of parking in parking lot at entrance Kiosk. Bathrooms available.
Please email Sandy (sandysladen@gmail.com) 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 hiking experience.
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!
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