Copper Canyon
Discover Copper Canyon
Copper Canyon (Spanish: Barranca del Cobre) is a canyon system in the Sierra Tarahumara in the southwestern part of the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. There are many ways to explore Copper Canyon such as hiking, biking, driving or horseback riding. The most popular way is by train, as the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico or ChePe, runs along the main canyon called Canyon Urique, between Creel and Los Mochis, on the Gulf of California. The system of canyons here is larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon in the neighboring United States, although the Grand Canyon is larger overall than any of the individual canyons of the Copper Canyon system. Though the area would be Mexico's star national park, it thus far has not been designated as a park as efforts to make it so have been hampered by disagreements between loggers and the native Raramuri.
What to Experience in Copper Canyon
Taste of Copper Canyon...
Food and drink are served aboard El Chepe, and several restaurants are found near most train stations, especially Creel and El Fuente. Food and drink are served aboard El Chepe, and several bars and restaurants are found near most train stations, especially Creel and El Fuente. Camping areas can be found just about anywhere, but for those not willing to rough it, a very wide range of accommodations is available in the vicinity, from hostels in Creel and Urique to dedicated 5-star luxury lodges that cater to package tourists. It is better to book a minimum 2 months in advance. 4 months or more is best (this applies only to the upmarket luxury lodges, simple guesthouses only fill up just before Easter and campgrounds always have space available). There are dedicated campgrounds in Creel and Urique, most other places you can camp wherever you find an unoccupied sandbar. Oftentimes the best option is to go up to a rancher or farmers house and ask permission perhaps offering a small payment. This gives you a little extra protection from theft or harassment. In the more remote and rugged canyonlands hiring a local guide is strongly recommended as the landscape and climate are harsh and unforgiving of errors. In addition this is an area of drug cultivation, and unaccompanied American tourists (usually groups of motorcyclists) have disappeared in the past, presumably killed by narcotics traffickers.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Copper Canyon into what it is today.
The area was mostly uninhabited before European arrival. Once Spaniards began forming ranches on the plains of Chihuahua the Raramuri began moving back into the canyons. The almost militant Jesuits soon followed. The Jesuits were forced out of Mexico after the Spanish crown discovered they were smuggling gold back to Europe; leaving the Raramuri in peace. Franciscans replaced the Jesuits throughout much of Mexico but never succeeded in penetrating the Sierra Tarahumara. Today there are a few Jesuit missionaries back in the area. The lack of any church leadership in the area for hundreds of years resulted in the hybrid Christian-traditional religious beliefs that the Raramuri exhibit today. Very little scientific study has been done on the wildflowers since the late 1800s and early 1900s until the 21st century. A visitor to the Copper Canyon region in 2004 saw many beautiful flowers but discovered that no field guide had ever been written for the Copper Canyon so she decided to write one. After three more trips to do the research, she found a botanist to work with her who then identified the plants and a professor from a university in Chihuahua translated the text into Spanish so the guide would be bilingual. In July 2009 the first Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Mexico’s Copper Canyon Region by Linda J. Ford was published....
Climate
The most comfortable time to go is early spring to early summer and late summer to late fall. Because of the difference in elevation from over 2,550 m (8,000) feet at the high plateau and canyon rims to the bottom of the canyons at 550 m (1,800 feet), four very distinct climate zones with a wide variety of vegetation have resulted. In the highlands is the Madrean Conifer Forest with fir, pines, Douglas fir, and red Madroño trees. Going down in elevation, there is the Pine-Oak Woodland with pine, live oak, and agave. Continuing down, next comes the Arid-Tropical Deciduous Thorn Forest with scrub oak, mesquite, and cardon. The last zone located at the bottom of the canyons is the Tropical-Subtropical Riparian Forest that has fig, sycamore, ceibas, grasses, reeds, and palms. During the winter months, the temperature can drop below freezing at the rim of the canyon while down in the canyon, the climate is subtropical. During the summer months, afternoon rains often occur.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe Chihuahua al Pacífico Railway, known as El Chepe, is a rail line that runs from the Pacific coast at Los Mochis to the town of Creel, passing through the canyonlands. While the train ride is lauded as one of the most spectacular in the world, the really scenic parts of the journey are between El Fuerte and Creel, especially between El Fuerte and Bahuichivo where the train rapidly ascends many thousands of feet. For the best views, travel from west to east, e.g. Los Mochis to Creel, and try to sit on the right side of the train. The trip is 350 kilometres (220 mi) in length and takes approximately 9 hours, passing through towns and the towering cliffs of the canyons. Along the railway, many Tarahumarans lay out their food, crafts and other wares for sale. The train includes three classes, "first class", "executive class" and "tourist class", the latter being the most basic....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Mountain bikes, ATVs and four wheel drive trucks can be rented in downtown Creel to explore the outlying area. Unlike most other parts of the Copper Canyon area, unguided day trips are possible out of Creel. Daytrip destinations include the Valley of the Monks, and the Valley of the Frogs. Recohuata, a developed hot springs area, is also within 16 km (10 miles) of Creel. There is a maze of Raramuri trails running through the area. They run in all different directions, are unsigned and seem to have no concept of grade or steepness. Hiring a guide is a good idea. Someday perhaps an ambitious volunteer will try to make some kind of signage and map system for all the trails. Right now, well, it's an adventure. The indigenous people who live in the Copper Canyon are called the Tarahamura (or Raramuri). Indians will often sell various types of handmade crafts to tourists in Creel or along the route of the Chepe train.
Where to Stay
Camping areas can be found just about anywhere, but for those not willing to rough it, a very wide range of accommodations is available in the vicinity, from hostels in Creel and Urique to dedicated 5-star luxury lodges that cater to package tourists. It is better to book a minimum 2 months in advance. 4 months or more is best (this applies only to the upmarket luxury lodges, simple guesthouses only fill up just before Easter and campgrounds always have space available). There are dedicated campgrounds in Creel and Urique, most other places you can camp wherever you find an unoccupied sandbar. Oftentimes the best option is to go up to a rancher or farmers house and ask permission perhaps offering a small payment. This gives you a little extra protection from theft or harassment. In the more remote and rugged canyonlands hiring a local guide is strongly recommended as the landscape and climate are harsh and unforgiving of errors.
Money & Budget
The indigenous people who live in the Copper Canyon are called the Tarahamura (or Raramuri). Indians will often sell various types of handmade crafts to tourists in Creel or along the route of the Chepe train. You'll also find them at stops along the way and along trails used by backcountry explorers. The most common crafts (and the most distinctive local mementos) are the baskets, hand-woven from agave fibers. Cash works in this region, credit cards usually don't. ATMs are not plentiful along the train route, so get cash before leaving Chihuahua or Los Mochis. Food and drink are served aboard El Chepe, and several restaurants are found near most train stations, especially Creel and El Fuente.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
In the more remote and rugged canyonlands hiring a local guide is strongly recommended as the landscape and climate are harsh and unforgiving of errors. In addition this is an area of drug cultivation, and unaccompanied American tourists (usually groups of motorcyclists) have disappeared in the past, presumably killed by narcotics traffickers. The area south of Batopilas towards Durango is an especially intense zone of narco activity. From Los Mochis, your next stop could be to take the ferry across the Sea of Cortez to La Paz. From Chihuahua, you could catch a bus into Texas, or catch a plane to Monterrey or Mexico City.
Glimpses of Copper Canyon
black train on rail tracks during daytime
Sierra Tarahumara
This beautiful building in Phoenix, Arizona is enveloped in Arizona copper, bent and designed to mimic the sedimentary layers of a canyon wall and crafted to withstand harsh Arizona summer weather over time. The unique properties of copper give this building a shield against heat and a unique beauty that actually changes over time as the copper interacts with water, heat, and the nature around it.
This beautiful building in Phoenix, Arizona is enveloped in Arizona copper, bent and designed to mimic the sedimentary layers of a canyon wall and crafted to withstand harsh Arizona summer weather over time. The unique properties of copper give this building a shield against heat and a unique beauty that actually changes over time as the copper interacts with water, heat, and the nature around it.
brown mountains
Train traveling through a scenic mountain valley.
black train on rail tracks during daytime
Sierra Tarahumara
This beautiful building in Phoenix, Arizona is enveloped in Arizona copper, bent and designed to mimic the sedimentary layers of a canyon wall and crafted to withstand harsh Arizona summer weather over time. The unique properties of copper give this building a shield against heat and a unique beauty that actually changes over time as the copper interacts with water, heat, and the nature around it.
This beautiful building in Phoenix, Arizona is enveloped in Arizona copper, bent and designed to mimic the sedimentary layers of a canyon wall and crafted to withstand harsh Arizona summer weather over time. The unique properties of copper give this building a shield against heat and a unique beauty that actually changes over time as the copper interacts with water, heat, and the nature around it.
brown mountains
Train traveling through a scenic mountain valley.
black train on rail tracks during daytime