Anza-Borrego Night Hike in Mine Wash
Join Us for a Moonlit Hike Through Mine Wash – A Journey Into History and Nature
Step back in time with us on an unforgettable night hike through Mine Wash, an ancient Kumeyaay site that once formed part of a vast trade network stretching from the Colorado River to the Pacific Coast.
What to Expect:
- Our adventure begins at the Mine Wash Village, a historic seasonal settlement used by the Kumeyaay for over a thousand years, first around 1100 AD and again in the 1600s.
- Under the glow of the moon, we’ll explore the fascinating morteros (grinding holes) and the mysterious pecked cupules—engraved rock features that tell stories of their culture.
- As we journey deeper into the wash, we’ll embark on a 3-mile roundtrip hike, tracing the rugged beauty of the canyon, its desert landscape bathed in moonlight, and its history etched into every stone.
- Your guide, a certified wilderness first responder, will ensure your safety and share rich insights into both the natural surroundings and history of the area.
Who Should Attend:
- History buffs and those intrigued by the ancient cultures of the Kumeyaay and their desert home.
- Nature lovers who relish the tranquility of the desert by night and the beauty of hiking beneath a starlit sky.
- Adventurers in moderate physical condition, comfortable with a hike across uneven terrain.
- Anyone with a passion for Native American history, desert landscapes, and unique hiking experiences.
REGISTER TODAY!
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (end time is approximate)
Location: Meet at the ABF store at 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #110, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (in The Mall next to Calico’s). From there we’ll carpool/caravan to the trailhead (location to be determined).
Cost:
ABF Member: $0 Not a member? Join today for as little as $35 and go to this event for free!
Non-Member: $30
Student: $15
Cancellation Policy: Please see our FAQs page to read our cancellation policy and learn about scholarship options.
What Past Participants Are Saying:
“Well organized. Educated and educating guides.”
“I appreciated the opportunity to be outdoors and experience the desert in a different way via a night hike.”
“It was a perfect evening under the stars”
Hike Leader:
Lizbeth Barcena has been camping, hiking, and exploring the Anza-Borrego Desert for over 17 years. Originally from Guadalajara, she grew up in a quiet San Joaquin Valley town in Alta California, halfway between Yosemite and San Francisco. She studied architecture at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and has 20 years of experience working on local and international architectural projects. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Borrego Springs, where she volunteers for organizations in the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. An urbanite by profession but a desert lover at heart, she is dedicated to conserving and preserving our natural environment and bringing awareness of the wonders and fragility of nature through the arts. She is a certified California Naturalist and certified in Regenerative Building. She is a multidisciplinary artist experimenting with clay forms and writing. She is enrolled in a Creative Writing Certificate program at UCLA Extension and is pursuing an MFA in Nature Writing. She is working on her first literary fiction novel set in this desert.
