About this Event
Cacti are a vitally important component of our California desert biomes, comprising approximately 38 species in 12 genera. In this field-based workshop, you will have the opportunity to see more than a third of California’s cactus species in and around the spectacular Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Itinerary: The group will meet at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 3rd at the Hampton Inn in El Centro, CA for a dinner (about 1 hour) and lecture (about 90 mins) introducing the cactus family and the major groups of cacti in California. Pizza and salads will be provided by the Southern California Botanists (SCB). On Saturday (April 4th), the group will carpool into central Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and spend the day making multiple stops on the way back south to El Centro to get to know the cacti of the park in habitat. The route is paved roads for most of the day except for one dirt road with small dips/ruts. Most standard clearence vehicles should be fine. Very low clearance vehicles (e.g. Prius, etc.) may have minor issues. Participants can either camp in the Park or return to El Centro Saturday evening. Lodging/camping info below. On Sunday morning (April 5th), the group will head west from El Centro towards San Diego, making a few stops along the way to meet a few higher elevation cacti.
All hikes will be less than 1.5 miles round-trip over easy to moderate terrain. It is recommended that participants plan to stay in El Centro Friday night. A dinner (pizza and salads) will be provided Friday night. Attendees must provide their own sack lunches for Saturday and Sunday. A group dinner (not provided by SCB) may be planned on Saturday night for those staying in El Centro. Further details and workshop materials will be sent to registrants prior to the workshop.
Instructor Bio: Michelle Cloud-Hughes is a semi-retired desert botanist and restoration ecologist with nearly 30 years of fieldwork experience. She has worked on numerous rare plant surveys and other botanical and restoration projects throughout the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. She is an authority on the genus Cylindropuntia (chollas). Her research focuses mainly on the evolutionary relationships within the cholla tribe, with occasional detours into other cactus genera.
Lodging: It is recommended that participants stay in El Centro Friday night.
- Hampton Inn Hotel by Hilton in El Centro, CA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton El Centro
- Ocotillo Inn, El Centro, CA
- Consult Google for many other lodging options in El Centro.
Camping: Dispersed camping is available along various routes north of the town of Ocotillo and in the southern edge of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. NOTE: 4WD/AWD RECOMMENDED FOR THESE ROADS. Routes with potential camping include:
- West Dolomite Mine Rd.: Right turn at 32.8135, -116.14136 (NOTE: Use these coordinates, as Google Maps takes you elsewhere if you type in the name.)
- Mortero Canyon Rd.: Left turn at 32.7929, -116.1076)
- Domelands Trailhead turnoff: Right turn at 32.7790, -116.08979
- Shell Canyon Rd.: Right turn at 32.7471, -116.0027
- Even Hewes Hwy turnoff: Left turn at 32.7386, -115.9789
NOTE: While camping in the low desert can be pleasant in April, there is possibility of extreme heat and weather. A weather forecast will be sent to the group a few days before the workshop.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hampton Inn El Centro, 598 Wake Avenue, El Centro, United States
USD 177.91 to USD 204.59
