Piedras Negras — Macabilero — La Pasadita — Yaxchilan — Usumacinta River
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The Arroyo Macabilero, which provided Edwin Shook with the name he applied to a small archaeological site in the vicinity, flows clear and cool from a small water fall. It provides of the major drainages into the Usumacinta from a series of lakes to the south and east, including Laguneta Lacandon.

Another view of the arroyo. The small waterfall is just visibile in this photo.

A small team of researchers from Piedras Negras engaged in a brief reconnaissance of the area around the Arroyo Macabilero in 2000. Here they disembark just south of the arroyo. The current high water line is clearly visible on the beach.

A view south of the Usumacinta from “La Playona.” The island at center gives its name to the archaeological site of El Cayo, which is under the forest in Chiapas at right.

Large blocks form an ancient agricultural terrace at one of many house groups around the Arroyo Macabilero. Large terrace systems are common in the area, and some terraces are over two meters high.

The karst terrain around the Arroyo Macabilero is broken by chasms, and is marked by abundant rock shelters and caves.

The primary growth forest around the Arroyo Macabilero makes trekking difficult.

A small lake, or laguneta, from which the Arroyo Macabilero emerges just before reaching the Usumacinta River. The high cliff walls at the far side, and the deep clear water are indicative of the sink-hole lakes in the region. This photo was taken from a small island at one end of the lake, which contained an ancient house group. The island appears to have been a peninsula separated from the mainland, perhaps for defensive purposes.