Hatton Canyon, Canyon in Carmel Valley, United States
Hatton Canyon is a canyon in Monterey County on the central California coast, cutting through pine forests and protected wetlands. It is a designated nature preserve with unpaved hiking trails running through it.
The canyon takes its name from William Hatton, a rancher who owned land in the area during the 1800s. The land was officially protected in the early 2000s after years of debate over its future use.
The canyon is a popular spot for walkers and nature lovers from the Carmel area. Along the trails, visitors can watch pine forest and wetland grow side by side, giving the place an unusual character.
The canyon is reached by a dirt trail from Carmel Valley Road and can be visited at any time of year. After rain the ground can be slippery, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
For decades, plans existed to build a bypass road through the canyon to ease traffic on Highway 1. The project was eventually dropped and the area was set aside as a nature preserve in 2002.
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