Middle Deadman Canyon

ACA Canyon Rating – 3A III  however much of these canyons have not been explored

 NEVER ENTER ANY SLOT CANYON WHEN HEAVY RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST…!!!

This photo above shows the Entrada Sandstone upper most beginnings of Middle Deadman Canyon Slot... underneath Nate, is a 100’ high rappel

 

 

All of Middle Deadman Canyon Slot is shining white alabaster...except for the extreme upper portions shown in the photo above

These 2 ends (top and bottom) are the only portions of this canyon that we have actually tread.  However we have walked the east-side rim, occasionally peering into this steep-dropping, narrow alabaster “Hallway”

 

 

 

beta facts:

name- Middle Deadman Canyon

depth of slot portion- up to 75 feet high canyon walls

length of slot canyon portion- is about a half mile long

elevation- 8100’ at the top down to 6800’ at the bottom

GPS coordinates at midway- ±36°25.045’N 106°45.713’W

flow- intermittent

season to visit- drier months of the year, like May, June, September, October and November… NEVER ENTER ANY SLOT CANYON WHEN HEAVY RAIN IS IN THE FORCAST…!!!

accommodations- NONE –Chama Canyon Wilderness Area

ownership- Santa Fe National Forest

access- is from either Deadman Peak or the Chupadero Area - see the map below

nearest town- Gallina is about 15 miles south of here

fun fact- this is mountain lion country

 

essay bro

All three of these Deadman Canyons (Little Deadman, Middle Deadman and Deadman Canyons) are reserved for the hardy... and not for the faint of heart.  They are VERY REMOTE and have many dry falls as down-climbs and rappels.  They can be partially visited without ropes but the climbing out and around are extremely steep, strenuous and dangerous.  There are NO TRAILS in or around these canyons.

 

We have only done the two ends of Middle Deadman Slot.  If you beat us in here to do a first descent, please know that you are required by International War-Crimes Law, to send us some photo images and a report within 5 working days.  If you fail to do this, you will be banished from using my website for a LONG TIME...! ! !

Middle Deadman Canyon is very close to and very much like the lower portions of Deadman Canyon: http://www.dougscottart.com/hobbies/SlotCanyons/Deadman.htm  -except it is only about a half mile long.

 

Access

The Deadman Lookout Road (Forest Road 507) is accessed from Hwy 112 about 4 miles north of LLaves, NM to Forest Road 7 one mile to Forest Road 6 followed by about 4 miles to Forest Road 507.  This is where you have to be careful.  Do not take Forest Road 507.  Instead drive a few feet past it to a small 2-track “un-named” road and turn right on this road.  In less than a mile this small 2-track road will reach a flat place, that is actually a saddle, 500’ directly below the Deadman Lookout Tower.  A gentle, quarter mile hike to the south-southwest will quickly drop into the beginnings of the upper Deadman Slot (@ 36°25.405’N 106°46.187’W) which can be done as an “all-fours” scramble without rope.  This canyon is marked on the map below with the number 500 written in red.  It is very steep and involves a hands and feet -1000 foot scramble down to the canyon below.  From here you will need strength, stamina, perseverance and excellent topo reading skills to reach any and/or all of these three wonderful Deadman Slot Canyons here.

 

Another way to reach these canyons is from the bottom... walking along the Rio Gallina.  Chupadero Road access is three and a half miles up the Rio Gallina from it’s Deadman Canyon Confluence.  A map showing Chupadero Road can be found by clicking this link: http://www.dougscottart.com/hobbies/SlotCanyons/Gallina.htm - Gallina Canyon is a beautiful creek-side stroll that will please and amaze you.  

 

Click this link to access a detailed topo map that shows this entire area:  http://www.dougscottart.com/hobbies/SlotCanyons/Gallina.htm

 

Please be careful of the private here.  It is marked as shaded gray on our map below.  It is easy to walk around their fences.

DO NOT TRESPASS…!!!

However…

A very pleasant way to maximize enjoying Gallina Canyon is to plan a vacation at:

Gallina Canyon Ranch

…is Amazing…!!!

They have campgrounds and wonderful cabins “just for you” right in the middle of a dozen slot canyons...! ! !

 Click this link: http://gallinacanyonranch.com/

Forest Road 474, Abiquiu, NM 87510

(505) 490-3333

Gallina Canyon Ranch a great way to visit and enjoy these amazing “slot canyons” of the Chama Canyon Wilderness.  Several amazing slot canyons are easy to visit with normal hiking from here.  In fact, vacationing at Gallina Canyon Ranch will put you in the heart of New Mexico’s best slot canyon country...!!!  Gallina Canyon Ranch is truly amazing and is a great access to this western portion of the Chama Canyon Wilderness.   

 

Enhanced USGS topo map by Doug Scott

The thin Red Lines depict sections of “slot canyons” and/or “box canyons”    the thicker Red Lines show the boundries of Chama River Canyon Wilderness Area

 

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Send questions and comments to dscott@themarblesculptor.com