Mexico's Copper Canyon Revisited!

It was over 15 years ago we took our last trip to the famed Copper Canyon of Mexico!

This year we had a group of 16 resident of Puerto Peñasco Sonora Mexico ask us to guide them on this magical tour.  They would be flying in from their summer homes in the USA to the little town of Los Mochis Sinaloa.  It seems simple but even getting to the starting point was a challenge after AeroMexico changed all of its routing at the last minute, forcing all of us to connect through Mexico City (way down there).  We were up to the challenge because the adventure to the canyons is so worth it.  Besides they say "getting there is half the fun"  So some of us landed in Los Mochis on Monday and a few landed on Tuesday morning.  Then we were off on a bus to the silver town of El Fuerte (the fort).

This is a beautiful very old town of about 60,000 people in the mountains east and North of Los Mochis.  It has a strong history and historical significance to not only Mexico but the United States as well.

We stayed here one night after touring the town and meeting some of the locals, it was a great day!

The next morning we were up had a cup of coffee and headed to the train station at El Fuerte, we decided to skip breakfast and enjoy the first class restaurant car the the train (El Chepe) offers.

El Fuerte, a colonial silver mining town with a rich history

Train to Bahuachivo/Cerocahui

The trains are modern, the food was great!  It is a great way to travel to these remote places

So after a few hours we were arriving in the train station at Bahuachivo.  We then boarded local transportation for the 30 minute ride going towards the Indian village of Cerocahui, we stayed at a lodge outside of the town but only a few minutes away.  It is called Paraiaso del Oso because behind the lodge is a rock shaped like Yogi the bear and Oso is Spanish for bear. It is a fantastically relaxing place to spend the afternoon - evening and morning.  We used this as the home base for our explorations into town and to the edge of the cliffs a few hours away.

Yogi is in the middle of the screen

We spent some time exploring and I have so many great photos of this area but space only allows for a few.

The little town behind us is Cerocahui

La Posada - Mansion Tarahumara

After our wonderful stay in Cerocahui we boarded the train to go further up into the canyon-lands.  Next stop was the Mansion Tarahumara, a older hotel which was built out of stone quarried from this area.  New rooms were added a few years ago so you can wake up to the sun coming up over the canyon.  When you step out onto your balcony the edge of the canyon is right below you.  It is breathtaking!

The food at the Mansion was out of this world

Don't fall over this balcony

Partial view from my room of the 60 person Gondola

A little Tarahumara cutie

Outside of a cave dwelling, this is their fresh water supply from a natural spring.

That thin line is for the zip liners

Lots of pine needle baskets to choose from

Side by side ziplines

Our hotel from the Gondola, it is on the left and is white

final group pick on the edge!

In summary on this part of the trip......It is raw, it is exciting, the scenery is like none you have ever experienced in one place, the food was incredible, the people inviting and warm...do this trip!

Next time I will write about our continuing journey from the lumber town of Creel to Chihuahua city, the fun continues!

Copper Canyon here we come!

It has been many years since Naomi and I have gone into the Copper Canyon  or Barrancas del Cobre.  The series of canyons that make this system complete start in the State of Sinaloa and go all the way into the State of Chihuahua.  It is here where the Tarahumara people live, mostly tucked away in little villages in the complex of canyons.  Once upon a time the only way through the canyons was on animal or by foot.  The Tarahumara people are known as the runners, they can move very quickly through the canyons on foot.  Then something that took over 100 years to create happened.  It was 1961 that the railroad from the sea of Cortes at Topolobampo to Chihuahua was inaugurated and opened to the public.  This opened the door for people from around the word to experience the majestic canyons and rivers and waterfalls personally and up close.

This is an old photo of the rustic train stations 

We are very excited to refresh our picture collection with new pictures of the Copper Canyon in our upcoming trip this October, but for now I hope these pictures make you excited about adding this trip to your list of things you want to do!

The track crossing a river in the lowlands

Like travel anywhere we are set for adventure for ourselves and that often involves getting to better know the locals and show an interest in how they live, what they do and etc.  The places that we visit in the canyon sometimes are people personal homes, however they do not feel that they are being trespassed.  They enjoy showing us foreigners their life.

 The tour bus outside of a typical brick and stick built house

 Traditions that never die, basket weaving, a true art!

 Visiting a family who lives in a cave, a very popular way to live in the canyon

Naomi and her new violin, we still have that today!

The trip is adventurous, the canyons are vast, the scenery is unbelievable.

Make plans to visit the canyon lands of Mexico, you will be very happy you did.  If you would like to know more about the train that runs through the canyon, check out the book "Destination Topolobampo" also check out more images at the Train Co's official Facebook Page

 A young tarahumara girl as the train glides by below her

 The valley of mushrooms...other worldly!

Truly Majestic!

Be sure to check back to this page often as we will update it with new images and stories of our travels in and around Mexico.  Join us on face book at our official page 

If you would like to find out more about our tours or anything related to travel in Mexico please feel free to email me personally.  mexicoruss@gmail.com

Please take a minute and share a comment with me on this page!  Thanks

JUST A FEW THINGS TO SHARE

The weather is great and we are preparing for a few Fun Events! 

Who can resist Blues and Arts in a 

Fantastic outdoor venue overlooking the Sea of Cortez?   

(San Felipe Side of the Sea)

Join us for a small group van trip to San Felipe and Enjoy the Show!

This is coming up soon! March 28-30

We will take care of your hotel reservations, concert tickets (Saturday)  

and the transportation from Peñasco and return.

Contact Naomi for details:  mexiconaomi@gmail.com

 

Next on the calendar . . . 

New Orleans, Cajun, Pirate, Mermaid, Zydeco and Food  

This is gonna be Super Fun! 

We will be cooking up a Cajun Boil 

and we will have all the extras. 

New Orleans style Hurricanes in an icy cup! 

 

And, come dressed to win 

GREAT PRIZES! 

Best Pirate Costume (adult) 

Best Pirate Costume (child) 

Best Mermaid Costume (adult)

Best Mermaid Costume (child) 

Don't Miss this Fun Community Event! 

"Guerrero Negro . . . or Bust!"

On the road again. . .

We are off on our Magnificent Baja Adventure 

to see the whales of Guerrero Negro in Baja Sur.

Photo credits: Most of the photos are by Tony Ballesteros.
Other photos by Russ, Naomi, Charlene, Donna, Emma, Ruth or Sandy. 
Thank you to everyone who sent us photos to use.   

First stop: Guadalupe Valley vineyards on the way to Ensenada  

Our van had a date for this trip - the "plus one" van

First lunch stop. Doña Lupe's in the Guadalupe Valley

Day Two (the long drive day).  However, we are prepared. 

"always-hysterically-laughing-toilet-paper-dispensing-lady"

Magnificent Baja Scenery! Valley of the Cirios (Boojum trees)

The REQUIRED roadside fresh strawberry purchase

Happiness is . . . .

"Fantabulous" lunch at Mama Espinosa's in El Rosario

At the long, slow "pit stop" - just one working toilet folks (and a line forms)  

Finding a step up for the second van.... "this will work". 

Day Three is our MAIN EVENT!

Whale Watching Day

Orientation Meeting at Laguna Tours

And then out into the boats

Get your cameras ready for the action!

First sighting! . . . Right there in front of us! 

Barnacle covered extreme close-up

 

Just barely outta reach. . .

 

Baby whale playing with the seaweed.

 

    

Do you see the baby?  . . . . He is looking at you , too!

And then it happened . . . The whale touched a human!

And Emma bought the t-shirt to prove it!

A great whale watching Day!

And on the way back - a special treat.

Lounging in the Sun

What a life!

A stop at the Salt Mine manufacturing plant

Is it SNOW AND ICE? . . .  Nope. Just salt and water!  

"After-Party" at Malarrimo

A Celebration Dinner for everyone tonight!

Onto San Ignacio for a quick trip to the TROPICS! 

 An oasis in the desert. Midway across the Baja.

And the old Mission church in the typical cobblestone town square.

A Sunny-Flowery lunch stop at Rice & Beans in San Ignacio

And, then back it is  - once again thru the Cirio "Forest"

At Coco's Corner - on the old Dirt Road  (Across Baja on the authentic route) 

These bathroom stops keep getting weirder and weirder.....

 

Final evening in San Felipe and then it will be back home.

The drivers are just gonna rest up a bit . . .

And, we'll be all ready to go again soon.

SO . . .Who had a good time?

They look like they had fun.

OH! But Wait. . .  I think these guys had fun, too.

Until next time!