Anza-Borrego Desert: Hawk Canyon Loop

Rating *****
Length 1.7 mile (return) - 1 Hour, 5 minutes (return trip). Moderate.
Elevation 650 - 980 feet
Access Take the well marked Buttes Pass road, close to mile 87. Turn right on the next marked crossing and keep left as you meet the Goat trail. Some ground clearance is needed. Warning sometimes there is soft sand a 4x4 is recommended.

Hawk canyon is one of the nicest small canyons in the park, a hike with stunning views.
Watch out for Hawks, they nest in the canyon walls.

Start hiking into Hawk canyon, one obstacle is a dry fall, hike around it on the right side (East), using the slick rock.
At the end a bit of a scramble out of the main canyon, hike towards the hiking trail on the ridge in front of you.

Hike left (West) and take the next small canyon downhill again (South). This canyon ends in a sheer drop at Hawk Canyon, be careful.
Keep on a hiking trail going South/East and end up in Hawk Canyon again. Be careful you hike close to a steep drop.

Up Hawk canyon you will encounter some boulders and small dry falls.
Parts of the hike may be slippery, a hiking stick is a good idea to have along.

Tip: Combine this loop with the other Hawk Canyon loop.

How to get here:

The roads are well marked and are good, you need some ground clearance and an AWD is recommended, but probably not needed.

Take the well marked Buttes Pass road, close to mile 87.
Turn right on the next marked crossing and keep left as you meet the Goat trail.
Turn left into the marked Hawk canyon and drive it close to the end

An alternative place to park, at a much better road, The slot.
Instead of turning right towards Buttes Pass, keep on going to The Slot and park there. From there hike North.East following the ridge.

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Hiking the Borrego Springs Area (Anza-Borrego Desert SP, Cuyamaca Rancho SP, Imperial Sand Dunes (Algodones Dunes), Jacumba, Laguna Mountain, Warner Springs) California, Hike with gps, gpx and kml (Google Earth).
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