De-Na-Zin Wilderness Loop in Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness BLM, NM

Hike De-Na-Zin Wilderness Loop Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness BLM, NM

Class 2 4.4 miles 400 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Nov 2, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

De-Na-Zin Wilderness Loop GPX Track

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I went into exploring the De-Na-Zin Wilderness area sort of blind. There are lots of photos online for the Bisti Badlands Trailhead nearby (not too far away from the De-Na-Zin Trailhead), as well as maps, named hoodoos, and other features worth checking out, but I couldn't find anything about this area. So, I just drove to the trailhead and followed a wash with lots of footprints until I saw some interesting hoodoos on my right. I followed a smaller wash up into the hoodoos, which extended along the entire rim of my route. The rim was completely invisible from the first wash, but from the top, a wonderland of ridiculously interesting hoodoos manifested. I think maybe I found this place so interesting because I felt like I "discovered" it, even though I'm sure plenty of people have been out here. I recommend sort of finding your own route. It definitely adds to th adventure. Though, I provided a map with some named features I thought were super unique (I couldn't find official names of these things, so I named them myself).

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An old road converted trail leads into the wilderness.
An old road converted trail leads into the wilderness.
The trail follows a wash.
The trail follows a wash.
The wash passes a few hoodoos.
The wash passes a few hoodoos.
Wash gets boring.
Wash gets boring.
And then I decided to leave the wash and get up on the rim. This was a canyon that dead-ended, but I'm sure there are plenty that would work.
And then I decided to leave the wash and get up on the rim. This was a canyon that dead-ended, but I'm sure there are plenty that would work.
You can see the rim in the distance.
You can see the rim in the distance.
Heading into a little canyon to attempt to find a way onto the rim.
Heading into a little canyon to attempt to find a way onto the rim.
Scrambling out of the canyon and up onto the rim.
Scrambling out of the canyon and up onto the rim.
Greeted by hoodoos. I had no idea what to expect. This was amazing.
Greeted by hoodoos. I had no idea what to expect. This was amazing.
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A view from the top of the rim, looking back down.
A view from the top of the rim, looking back down.
Looking along the rim.
Looking along the rim.
De-Na-Zin.
De-Na-Zin.
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The mushroom hoodoos on the left I called Double Dose. Whatever. It's better than "Mushroom Hoodoos", which is what I predict they would be named if they had a name. Anyway.
The mushroom hoodoos on the left I called Double Dose. Whatever. It's better than "Mushroom Hoodoos", which is what I predict they would be named if they had a name. Anyway.
This was my favorite section of the whole day. Ridiculously weird formations.
This was my favorite section of the whole day. Ridiculously weird formations.
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Black lumps along the rim.
Black lumps along the rim.
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Black lumps leading back to the rim.
Black lumps leading back to the rim.
Overlooking the rim, facing west.
Overlooking the rim, facing west.
Facing north, back toward the rim the way I came.
Facing north, back toward the rim the way I came.
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I stumbled upon petrified trees hanging over the edge of the cliff. Incredible.
I stumbled upon petrified trees hanging over the edge of the cliff. Incredible.
I took too many photos of these trees, but I really thought they were super cool.
I took too many photos of these trees, but I really thought they were super cool.
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Look at that! Cliffhanger trees.
Look at that! Cliffhanger trees.
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A random arch in a hoodoo.
A random arch in a hoodoo.
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My chosen ramp down. There didn't seem to be munch more farther east, so I decided to finish my loop.
My chosen ramp down. There didn't seem to be munch more farther east, so I decided to finish my loop.
And headed back to the trail/wash leading to my car.
And headed back to the trail/wash leading to my car.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!