Big Canyon (New Mexico)

Though long with extended periods of hiking, the striking geology of the Entrada sandstone and gypsum, the sweet slot section and the beautiful exit hike up and out of a nice area on the Rio Gallina make this canyon well worth it.

walk down into the shallow drainage, following old roads where found.

the first major obstacle is a 55' rap over a cliff band that can be bypassed on either side (LDC is easier). after this is a 10' which can be downclimbed by the skilled or with a handline for others. could set a rap off of a pinch here. the material can be retrieved from below. last rap is 30' from a tree RDC into the sandstone slot section

Walk through the slot and continue down to the Rio Gallina. Walk upstream (left) and scramble up the steep drainage indicated on the kml. a long but pretty hike through mostly open forest will get you back to your car. a steep section traversing on the northwest side of a peak is best done by following a substantial elk trail (indicated on kml map).