Purgatory Chasm in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Purgatory Chasm Gila National Forest, NM

Class 1 1.6 miles Minimal gain <1 hr Loop Apr 7, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Purgatory Chasm is a short outing within the Gila National Forest near Lake Roberts that follows a series of slot tributaries and wanders through pretty orange features. While listed as an offical trail (Purgatory Chasm #779), the hike offers a bunch of little side-canyons that make following the "official" route a bit difficult. I can't imagine it would be easy to get lost, but I found myself a little turned around when checking out the various grottos. While not partcularly deep or unique, the series of tributaries have some trickling water and mosses that keep it interesting.

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Along the Purgatory Chasm Trail.
Along the Purgatory Chasm Trail.
Entering the Purgatory Chasm narrows.
Entering the Purgatory Chasm narrows.
Image 2 from gallery
Image 3 from gallery
Short walls that comprise the narrows.
Short walls that comprise the narrows.
I wandered through the few tributaries and grottos within Purgatory Chasm.
I wandered through the few tributaries and grottos within Purgatory Chasm.
Image 6 from gallery
Approaching a trickling cascade.
Approaching a trickling cascade.
Image 8 from gallery
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
A little pothole within the canyon.
A little pothole within the canyon.
A junction of a couple of the tributaries.
A junction of a couple of the tributaries.
Nice mosses along the walls of Purgatory Chasm.
Nice mosses along the walls of Purgatory Chasm.
Above Purgatory Chasm, looking into its narrows.
Above Purgatory Chasm, looking into its narrows.

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!