Bear Canyon
This canyon
is astounding... but it is a box canyon and not a slot canyon
ACA Canyon
Rating – 1B II
The trail is
old…but it still works…this is one of the best hikes in New Mexico
… a lot of Canyons
in New Mexico are called “Bear”…But this Bear Canyon is Amazing… a couple miles
east of Questa. Beautiful cascades tumble
for more than 200 feet down thru sheer-walls a thousand feet high…!!!
The photo above is taken from the
highway. The forested slope on your
right goes away immediately. This
amazing canyon has sheer walls on both sides.
The views of the thousand foot high sheer
canyon walls will make you think you are in a National Park.
beta facts:
name- Bear Canyon
elevation- 7900’
GPS coordinates- ±37°01.527’N 106°28.227’W
season-anytime…but you’ll need skiis
or snowshoes in the winter
ownership- Carson National Forest
access- a short 1+ mile hike... some old
unmaintained trail... and some guess-work to cross the Red River
nearest town- Questa is about 2 miles west of here
fun fact- a mildly steep hike... but very
beautiful...!!!
essay bro
This is a mildly steep but very beautiful
hike... and if you go to visit this canyon... do yourself a favor and continue
your hike on up Bear Canyon thru the entire sheer-walled portion. This canyon is impressive. It is a beautiful place that you will want to
return to.
Knowing where to park your car and finding
a place to cross Red River are both good questions. We parked beside New Mexico State Highway 38
a hundred yards or so past a speed limit sign about one mile east of the Questa
Ranger Station of the Carson National Forest.
We found a Fir tree nearby fallen across Red River, which provided us
with a dry crossing. Then immediately
found a trail heading up stream a hundred yards or so to Bear Canyon. From there an old unimproved trail was steep
but quite easy to follow up thru the majestic Bear Canyon. Some trees have fallen across the trail.
Enhanced
National Geographic 7.5’ topo map (up
is NORTH)
Thin
red lines above are one-mile squares
Send questions and comments to dscott@TheMarbleSculptor.com