Anza-Borrego Desert: Hawk Canyon Loop

Rating *****
Length 2.3 mile (return) - 1 Hour, 15 minutes (return trip). Moderate.
Elevation 620 - 970 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 soft sand a 4x4 is recommended. Alternative parking at the Slot (most cars), from there hike East or follow the Slot east.

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, until a waterfall blocks the canyon.
At that point go up the slick rock and follow a faint trail.
A bit of a scramble up to a faint hiking trail.

The trail is sometimes very faint and may be hard to follow.
Expect some small boulders and slippery parts along the trail.

Hike up to the ridge (North).
At the ridge, follow a hiking trail downhill (South/West).
The return canyon is the second one on the left (South).
Alternatively hike back towards the Slot parking.

Watch out where you put your hands, the rocks are really sharp and no shorts in case you fall down.
And don't forget your hiking stick, it's a bit slippery out here.

Warning:
The hike is short, but for some the scramble out of the canyon, some small boulders may a challenge.
We did this hike with a group and it took us 3 hours to complete.


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 50 Yards past the crossing into Hawk canyon, park. Watch out for soft sand.

 Disclaimer: Read this first before you start your hike. Contact: info/at/borregohiking/./com (leave out the /)
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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