My wife and I spent three incomparable days at this remote, silent (except for birds and the riffling of the Gallina river) cabin in the Chama Wilderness. Gallina Canyon is a national treasure: A pristine, wild and magical place. Redwall cliffs flanking a desert river that feeds groves of majestic cottonwoods, many of them hundreds of years old. To experience this paradise, you must be willing to do a little bit more than simply hop on a plane or into your car.

The cabin, or Jacal, can only be reached via a 4 mile drive in Andrew's unstoppable 4-wheel drive truck in which you ford the Gallina no fewer than 14 times. And to get to the Gallina Canyon Ranch, where Andrew and Elizabeth will greet you warmly, you must drive about 16 miles over rough dirt roads and dirt tracks that, when wet, are not for the faint of heart. So you earn your stay in paradise. And what you earn is access to an entirely private canyon, in which you can hike to the ruins of homesteader cabins abandoned a hundred years ago, and to the ruins of Anasazi settlers abandoned 700 years ago, and to sandstone cliffs that would be a significant tourist attraction were they located somewhere more accessible but instead simply wait silently for the few who make the journey up the Gallina for a private viewing.

The cabin itself, your base camp in paradise, is cozy and plenty spacious for a couple. Although it has no electricity, it has a well-functioning propane powered stove and refrigerator (small), a small propane space heater and a wood stove, a comfortable Queen size bed, and a large front porch where you will undoubtedly spend most of your time at the cabin, sitting and staring endlessly at the shifting clouds overhead, or listening to the birds or the gentle sounds of the Gallina river. I spent the last hours of my visit on the porch, planning my next visit to the Jacal.

David and Claire

It was just what I needed: a little "high-tech" down time, a lot of great hiking, and some quiet. I hope to end up there again (sooner rather than later!). The owners were very helpful and the place was very comfortable. Must be willing to "rough it" a little to stay at Jacal, but well worth it.

Erek Sherwood

Proof you can still find places with a character and mystery all their own:

I've not written one of these reviews before, but this is a worthy exception. If you ever feel that even special places you enjoy are losing ground to Walmarts & Jiffy Lubes, then I highly recommend a restorative stay at Gallina Canyon Ranch, with its unique, even mystical sense of place.

I spent a week at Jacal after 3 nights in Wilderness Casita, the other rental on the ranch (see below). I enjoyed both immensely. If you are lucky enough, stay a week or more at Jacal --it takes time to slough off the cares and concerns of everyday life, but that is a wonderful gift this place offers. I found Jacal to have a meditative quality, even though I didn't literally meditate (and I would certainly recommend it for that purpose). The respite from life as I know it began with the memorable drive to Jacal, as David in his truck skillfully forded the Rio Gallina, which winds hither and thither through the gorgeous canyon.

Given its remote location, Jacal was extremely well-equipped for a comfy stay. For example, I enjoyed a hot shower each night (shower bags works well if you've not used one before). And what a pleasure to sit by kerosene lamp as the sun set, and then to watch the stars from the porch --or the privy! -- glorious in a TRULY dark sky. Unforgettable. And the bed was very comfortable.

I truly enjoyed the place and also the people here. Elizabeth and Andrew, and David were gracious, unobtrusive hosts, fun and informative. Ask David for a guided hike up the canyon walls to one of the ruins of the Gallina Indians -- the ancient human history here is palpable. And given that this is now a working ranch, I liked knowing that as a guest I was supporting pasturing practices that benefit the land and the animals-- no over-grazing here.
For me, this was just a remarkable place for a retreat -- to hike the canyon and to paint on the beautiful, open porch at Jacal. I think couples would also enjoy a romantic, outdoorsy adventure here. This is the kind of place that stays with you, and draws you into its spell... I felt fortunate to "discover" it, and found my stay unexpectedly recuperative.

Should you stay at both casitas, I loved the deck at Wilderness Casita which E & A describe as a sleeping loft. I loved that use, and also recommend it as a "porch in the sky" for all times of day. It was mesmerizing to watch the light play across the canyon walls in the late afternoon.

One last note: if you hike the canyon, plan for frequent river crossings, depending on season/weather. David can tell you about spots to avoid.

I can't wait to return!

Martha Reis

Minneapolis

As far as a brief review of our visit to the Jacal...

I gave an online review after our stay in 2010. What prompted us to stay again? Remoteness and beauty, along with the security of having you folks nearby. I think your web site accurately represented what we experienced at the Jacal, as much as the experience can be described. The directions to get here were accurate and clear, the [Skull Bridge] lock was a small adventure in that I had trouble seeing the numbers in the bright sun. The rental was exactly what expected. It was clean & well-maintained. You gave us great info and answered questions. Thanks for the refrigerator--- it was wonderful, and for the extra water. There was really nothing lacking in our visit!

Doug (and Nancy)

Tallahassee, FLA

Gallina Canyon is one of those "thin places" where all your false selves get stripped away and you recover what is truly authentic in yourself. The canyon offers:

magic (the song of elk bellowing their way up the stream at sunset and dropping an antler at river's bend);

wonder (a little arroyo opens into a large, cavernous space with purple walls and quartz growing out of the center);

mystery (a vortex of energy near some ancient kivas, unseen in spite of many searchings);

joy (ravens circling each other high overhead in a ritual of airborne mating);

surprise (a dandelion appears overnight after snow in the center of a cow pie);

danger (a violent thunderstorm explodes the middle of the night with lightening);

security (a fire in the woodstove cackles "All is well!" in spite of the wind buffeting the cabin), and;

the gift of time (the presence of the ancients who lived there centuries ago melds into pure leisure, reminding me that there is no more important work right now than being still and watching the light change over the sage bushes).

During my three week silence there, my old dog came into his second puppyhood, and I also became new. There we had everything we needed, and nothing was wasted. To those considering a sojourn there: Beware! You will be drawn into deep adventure!

Carolyn Metzler

Albuquerque

I stayed at the Jacal with my dog for two nights in late July 2009. I had a lovely time hiking through the canyon, watching the birds ar sunset and listening to the coyotes at night. This is the perfect place for reflection, relaxation, and enjoying one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. Bring food, bring a book, bring a friend (4 legged or otherwise). You will love it here!

Cassidy

Gainesville, Florida

From the moment the sun appears over the crest of the eastern wall to the moment the first starry light appears in the deep purple sky, Gallina Canyon invites adventure. Whether you are drawn into the adventure of exploration (all those secret clefts and arroyos, all those deer trails up the mesas, the blue light under the fullish moon), or the adventure of the spirit (the silence of the canyon punctuated by winds and bird calls, bellowing elk, running water and thunderstorms, all which will seek you out and tell you secrets), or the adventure of play (ravens circling in an aerial mating dance, playing hide and seek in the ocean of sage, discovering rusty old bedpans by an ancient homestead and the ridiculous strutting of turkeys), or the adventure of rest (reading on the sunny porch or sleeping under a whirling band of galaxy stars)---

Gallina Canyon offers unique hospitality to the world-weary pilgrim. In a world where we more and more depend on outside entertainment, Gallina offers a journey into your own inner resources. There is much to hear, much to watch, much to draw, write, and mimic through song. Once you leave, the gifts of the canyon go on, as you find that nothing is quite as you thought you left it. Large enough to be constantly unfolding, small enough to hold you safe, Gallina is a perfect place to return to again and again and again.

Ann Walburn

New Jersey