Mariscal Canyon at Cross Canyons
Of the three primary canyons in Big Bend National Park, Mariscal may be the most beautiful. With walls rising to 1,200 feet and a navigable width of 8 feet in one place, boating through Mariscal Canyon is truly a unique experience. Mariscal also is home to nesting peregrine falcons in the spring. There are only two rapids in Mariscal: Rockpile is class II-III at about 100 meters into the canyon; Tight Squeeze, a Class III, should always be scouted.
Mariscal is the most isolated of the three primary BBNP river canyons due to the class V River Road shuttle. Use of regular passenger vehicles on this primitive road is discouraged. Arroyo washouts that make the road impassable are not uncommon. Mariscal can be extended from a 10 mile run to a 29 mile run by continuing on through San Vicente Canyon to Rio Grande Village takeout. The San Vicente road is closed and camping in the vicinity of San Vicente is discouraged.
Put-in: Talley is at the end of a very rough 30 mile drive.
10 mile take-out: Solis;
25 mile take-out: Gravel Pit backcountry camp;
28 mile take-out: Rio Grande Village
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Last Updated: 12/20/2007