The southern half of Unit 51, south of US 84—the eastern sector of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness and mesa country above the Rio Chama. Elevations 6,000 to 8,000-plus feet. Dramatic canyon country along the Rio Chama, rolling PJ mesas, and timbered ridges with ponderosa and mixed conifer. The Chama River Canyon Wilderness prohibits motors and gives you remote, uncrowded hunting if you're willing to hike in. The problem is getting anything back out of that canyon. BLM, state trust, Carson NF, and private land. US 84 provides paved access along the northern edge; NM 96 and county roads reach southern portions. Abiquiu has fuel and basic supplies; Espanola has full services. Cell service works along US 84, disappears in the canyons. The canyon country is steep-sided and rugged—be prepared for difficult pack-outs from the river bottom that will test your commitment to this animal you just killed. The mesa tops above the canyons offer gentler hunting terrain with good elk habitat in the ponderosa-aspen transition zone where the feed is thick and the elk are fat. Western side of US 84. Good elk numbers on public land but not many mule deer. Private land in the northeast limits access in that area. The Chama River Canyon Wilderness provides backcountry hunting opportunity. The rest of the public ground is accessible by gravel and dirt roads — more moderate terrain than the wilderness units.