In October, 2000, Ilse Richards and Dee Fox decided there was a need for a new hiking club in the growing Coachella Valley. Known for its numerous desert and mountain trails, the area was attracting a growing number of visitors and new residents who were eager to explore the great outdoors. Dee and Ilse, co-founders of Desert Trails Hiking Club, recruited a few hardy hike leaders, set up a schedule, advertised the offerings in The Desert Sun, and immediately picked up membership. By January, 2001, the club had 87 members. Several important decisions made early in the club's life guide it today. One is the philosophy that the club is for persons of all walks of life. That means it has low membership dues and a variety of hikes for persons of all skill levels to enjoy. Another is that camaraderie is an important attribute for the club, and as such, monthly socials were established. A third philosophy is that electronic communication was here to stay and so a major emphasis was placed on using the website and e-mail to stay in touch with the membership. In honor of their work, Ilse and Dee were awarded lifetime memberships in Desert Trails Hiking Club.

 

Several persons deserve mention as early contributors to the Club's success. Rick Bruner, in addition to leading hikes, eventually took on membership services (June, 2003) and accounting (November, 2003). Another is Rochelle Carlton, who led many hikes and set up the first out of area hiking trip. Bill Swift emerged as the person that other hike leaders sought out for advice on how to manage the hiking experience.

 

The Club also sponsored bike rides to acquaint members with the bike lanes and trails in the area. In October, 2004, these were discontinued.

 

The first Spring Getaway was held in March, 2002 in Zion National Park.

 

The first Members' Dinner was held at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown in April, 2002.

 

On January 1 of each year, the popular Art Smith Trail is closed to hikers in order to leave the Bighorn Sheep undisturbed during lambing season. The Club established a tradition of holding a hike on December 31, the first of these in 2002, followed by a tailgate picnic in the parking lot. The tradition has continued despite a re-routing of the Art Smith Trail that allows it to remain open virtually all year.

 

The second Spring Getaway was held in April, 2003 in Death Valley National Park. 

  

In January, 2004, it was clear the Club had grown to such an extent that a Board was needed to help manage its affairs.  Membership had grown to 215 singles and 140 families. Following a well attended membership meeting, several people were identified to serve on the first board. Sydney Brown was selected as the first President. Committees were established to help spread the work load. Among these were the Hike Leader Committee led by Bill Swift and Dee Fox. Susan Dodge led the Social Committee. Rochelle Carlton headed the Website Committee. The first treasurer was Rick Bruner and first secretary was Rose Kauffman. The role of vice president was split between Dee Fox and Jane Udall.  Jane began writing newsletters and representing the club at public meetings about the proposed trail plan.  Others served in various capacities. A budget was adopted and the first audit was conducted. Training in first aid and CPR was offered to hike leaders. The Board adopted the tag line "Hiking at its Best". Bylaws were adopted and forms were updated. Goals were established. 

 

The third Spring Getaway was held in May, 2004 in Sequoia National Park.

 

In June, 2004, the first annual Barbara Jacobsen Memorial Hike was held from the tram to Idyllwild, to honor a deceased hike leader who enjoyed that hike very much. Her husband Marc saw the group off from the tram station. Also in June, 2004, Desert Trails participated in National Trails Day at Big Morongo Preserve, staffing a booth to promote hiking opportunities in the Coachella Valley and surrounding area.

 

The Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, which included a Trails Plan, was unveiled in December, 2004. The Plan called for a permit system and restricted access on many trails under the guise of aiding recovery of the Peninsular Ranges Bighorn Sheep, a federally designated endangered species. The Club joined forces with other trail user groups in the Valley in opposition to the Plan. The Board wrote a letter to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, and many members attended public meetings to voice opposition to the Plan. The activity was particularly intense during the early months of 2005 during the public comment period. As a result of this collaborative effort with other trail user groups, a Desert Trails Coalition was formed with seed money from The Desert Riders. The mission is to preserve public access to public trails. Jane Udall and Christy Anderson served as our club's representatives to the Coalition Board initially. Jane Udall continues in that capacity.

 

In January, 2005, on behalf of the club's membership, the Board made charitable contributions to the Coachella Valley Preserve and Wildlands Conservancy. Membership in January, 2005 was comprised of 204 singles and 106 families. 

 

Various leadership transitions occurred in our early years as a board. Mary Barlow replaced Susan Dodge as Social Chair and Carl Gorretta began as webmaster following Rochelle Carlton's resignation. Bill Swift handed the baton of Hike Leader Coordinator to Rich and Vera Pringle. In all cases, these transitions have reminded us of the wealth of volunteer leadership and good will within the club. 

 

In March, 2005, the Coachella Valley Hiking Club asked members of Desert Trails Hiking Club to assist them by serving as sweeps for the annual Hike for Hope in the Indian Canyons. Many responded to assist in the effort. This collaborative effort has continued in the subsequent years with Desert Trails now leading many of the hikes.

 

March, 2005 also found several members in Maui, for the first off-shore Spring Getaway.

Subsequent Getaways were held in Sedona (2006) and Zion National Park (2007). In all cases, Rochelle Carlton has been instrumental in planning and organizing the events, and her contributions are greatly appreciated.

 

An annual Members' Dinner was held at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown in April, 2005. Annual Members' Dinners have continued all subsequent years in various locations as a way to especially recognize hike leaders and their spouses and significant others and to kick up our heels to some good ol' rock 'n roll after a nice dinner together.

 

Each hiking season has seen an increase in the number of "specialty" hikes offered. In addition to occasional overnight camping trips, we began adding naturalist-led hikes, full moon hikes, hikes to learn more about digital photography and compass and GPS use, hikes focused on conditioning, and a gourmet lunch hike. The expanded variety came about because of an increase in the number of hike leaders with special interests.

 

January, 2008 was marked by the death of an original board member, Rick Bruner. Rick was a well-liked and respected hike leader and served as the club's treasurer and membership coordinator. The club made a memorial contribution to The Living Desert in honor of Rick's life. Verna Rutledge stepped gracefully into his role and began serving on the board right away.

 

The end of the hiking year, spring, 2008, marked a transition in leadership, with Christy Anderson succeeding Jane Udall, who served as president of the club for 3 years, 2005/2006 to 2007/2008.

 

Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas was the site of our 2008 Getaway and our 2009 Spring Getaway was held in Anza Borrego State Park, chosen to encourage us to learn more about this nearby treasure. Verna Rutledge graciously and competently organized this Getaway.

 

• Wildlands Conservancy (Pipes Canyon and Whitewater Preserves)
• Joshua Tree National Park Association
• Friends of the Desert Mountains (SRSJ National Monument)
• San Jacinto Natural History Assn (San Jacinto State Park)
• Big Morongo Preserve
• Mojave Lands Trust
• Anza Borrego Foundation and Institute (AB State Park)
• Center for Natural Lands Mgmt (Coachella Valley Preserve)

Updated by Jane Udall 3/11