Hell’s Half Acre: Y L Canyon and Maple Canyon in Hell's Half Acre, NM

Hike Hell’s Half Acre: Y L Canyon and Maple Canyon Hell's Half Acre, NM

Class 2 10.2 miles 1800 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Oct 16, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Hell’s Half Acre: Y L Canyon and Maple Canyon GPX Track

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Hell's Half Acre is a weird little series of slot canyons and conglomerate rock features just north of Silver City, put on my radar from Doug Scott Art's website. He has done extensive exploration of the side-canyons, and I was hoping to mimic parts of his route. However, I underestimated the difficulty of the route and ran out of water, and for a bunch of other silly reasons I only got to check out one of the major highlights of the area, Maple Canyon. It's also a very remote area that likely gets very little visitation, so plan accordingly. Slot canyons are dangerous, even nontechnical ones. The approach road was in great shape for any vehicle, and I parked at a small pull-out. I was a little confused at the private property boundaries of the area since everything seemed to be boxed off with fences. However, some research later helped me conclude what portion is officially on private land (purple line on my map). I can't imagine the ranchers would mind a hiker strolling through, but I recommend taking the orange line to get into Hell's Half Acre instead. It's definitely more efficient and keeps away from what I believe is the private property boundary. This approach involves hiking along a mesatop, descending on some light Class 2 boulders, and continuing through grasses down into the major canyon that runs through Hell's Half Acre, "Y L Canyon".

Once in Y L Canyon, I headed through the obvious winding drainage that slowly became more interesting. The walls grew taller and more imposing, and lots of side-canyons popped out from either direction. Most looked brushy and uninviting. Y L Canyon eventually opened up, and shortly after I left the main drainage and ascended a brushy side-canyon to get over to the northern portion of Hell's Half Acre (marked on the attached map). This involved hiking up a steep, loose slope to a gain a high point, then dropping down to the north in another brushy canyon. From here, I was in the heart of Hell's Half Acre, where the sky seems to be the limit in exploring the area. I may have to return to see more at some point in my life, but I was happy with the introduction I got to see. I ended up doing a bit of bushwhacking and ultimately ended up with a bit of poison ivy/oak.

I followed Doug Scott's map and found myself in Maple Canyon, a very cozy box canyon with maple trees growing between hanging cliff walls. The lighting was surreal and I felt very isolated. I followed Maple Canyon to its end, hoping to be able to scramble out, but was stopped by a dryfall at each of my attempts. I returned the way I came instead, leaving behind the many conglomerate slot canyons for another person to explore. I did attempt another side-canyon, but I saw kitty cat prints leading into the canyon, and none coming back out, so I played it safe and nixed the idea.

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Starting along the mesa, where I followed the fence line, keeping to the right of it.
Starting along the mesa, where I followed the fence line, keeping to the right of it.
Along the mesatop.
Along the mesatop.
Looking to the south toward the approach canyon options that runs through private property.
Looking to the south toward the approach canyon options that runs through private property.
Dropping off the mesa and heading toward Hell's Half Acre, which you can see on the right.
Dropping off the mesa and heading toward Hell's Half Acre, which you can see on the right.
Looking back toward the mesa descent.
Looking back toward the mesa descent.
Approaching Y L Canyon.
Approaching Y L Canyon.
Y L Canyon below.
Y L Canyon below.
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If for some weird reason you don't want to take my advice and do the mesatop approach instead of the private property canyon approach, this is what the descent from the trailhead would look like.
If for some weird reason you don't want to take my advice and do the mesatop approach instead of the private property canyon approach, this is what the descent from the trailhead would look like.
Private property alternative approach: this is the canyon.
Private property alternative approach: this is the canyon.
Private property alternative approach: this is more of the canyon. It's brushy and you should avoid it on the left slickrock
Private property alternative approach: this is more of the canyon. It's brushy and you should avoid it on the left slickrock
Private property alternative approach: a fence marking the end of the private property. Seriously, the mesatop approach was better.
Private property alternative approach: a fence marking the end of the private property. Seriously, the mesatop approach was better.
Either approach leads into Y L Canyon, here.
Either approach leads into Y L Canyon, here.
Gorgeous rock features.
Gorgeous rock features.
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One of the taller cliff faces within Y L Canyon.
One of the taller cliff faces within Y L Canyon.
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Some old dam just off of Y L Canyon.
Some old dam just off of Y L Canyon.
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After Y L Canyon begins to open up, I left it (Y L Canyon visible on the right) and headed up a steep slope. This shot is looking back the way I came.
After Y L Canyon begins to open up, I left it (Y L Canyon visible on the right) and headed up a steep slope. This shot is looking back the way I came.
At the top of the steep slope, looking down into the canyon I would descend in order to access Maple Canyon.
At the top of the steep slope, looking down into the canyon I would descend in order to access Maple Canyon.
Descent into the norther portion of Hell's Half Acre.
Descent into the norther portion of Hell's Half Acre.
Navigating some of the canyons to locate Maple Canyon.
Navigating some of the canyons to locate Maple Canyon.
A small side canyon.
A small side canyon.
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Pretty section of side canyon.
Pretty section of side canyon.
Maple Canyon begins.
Maple Canyon begins.
Very cozy and pretty within Maple Canyon.
Very cozy and pretty within Maple Canyon.
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Maple Canyon continues, but it's just a bunch of rock-hopping and fun bouldery moves through talus caves, ultimately ending in a dryfall.
Maple Canyon continues, but it's just a bunch of rock-hopping and fun bouldery moves through talus caves, ultimately ending in a dryfall.

Hire me or show me some love!

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!