Exploring Trails in the Copper Canyon

SEMANA SANTA CELEBRATIONS IN THE SIERRAS 10 Day Trip, leaving by van from Tucson, AZ (4 nights Hotel, 5 nights Camping); featuring the pottery of MATA ORTIZ, and Mexico's breathtaking waterfall CASCADA BASASEACHI . . . $2195.00 per person, double occupancy Meet Us at the Canyon Rim: (2 nights in a Rustic Guesthouse, 5 nights Camping) . . . $1575 pp/do April 1 - 10, 2012; click here for other departure dates. This trip starts at the Holiday Inn. Participants must book their own accommodations or arrange their own transportation to meet us. 2012 dates for the hotel are March 31, and April 10. Small group charges apply for less than 6 people. 4 Night Single hotel/tent supplement: $300. 2 Night single hotel/tent charge: $150.

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Our hike accompanied by burros begins on the less steep West side of the Divisadero ridge. It is a great hot weather alternative to the scorching Urique canyon bottom, and more inhabited by Tarahumaran rancherias scattered about the small bucolic valleys alternating with densely overgrown canyon narrows. It also shows evidence of pre-Tarahumaran inhabitation, locally known as Conjunto Mogollon. This route also offers a unique half-day canyoneering option- only possible in low water levels! Read more about the Train; the hike down to the Rio Urique; or the hike to the town of Urique for the Ultramarathon.

Day One

Our trip starts at the Holiday Inn in Tucson. This hotel offers shuttle service to and from Tucson International Airport (TUS). We'll meet for breakfast at 6am, and depart for the border about 7am. Keep your passport handy- you'll need it at the border town of Agua Prieta, Sonora. We'll have lunch here too, before crossing the continental divide on our way to Nuevas Casas Grandes, the Mennonite colonias, the ruins of Paquime, and the pottery village of Mata Ortiz. Our hosts in Mata Ortiz will give us a condensed demonstration of the stages in pottery making from clay gathering, preparing, to throwing, firing and decorating.

Day Two

We leave Mata Ortiz about 9am. It's still a long way to las barrancas. You'll notice the change in the scenery as we get closer. The roads get narrower and sinuous, and all sorts of impossibly decrepit vehicles are struggling up the hills in whatever gear they have left. The overwhelming shades of green dazzle the eyes. We're in the Sierras once pines start to predominate the landscape. The Apachean Madrean woodland makes its appearance, with over 100 species of oak.

CANYON RIM PANORAMIC VISTAS

We'll be met at the local guesthouse by our hosts Lola and Guillermo, whose parents settled these parts when they helped build the railroad. The railroad called the Chihuahua al Pacifico was an engineering marvel when it started running in the 1960's. Begun in the early 1900's it proceeded in fits and starts, crossing 37 bridges and traversing 88 tunnels in its 600 km route from sea level to over 7500 feet on its way to the capital of Chihuahua. The tracks wrap around the village and most time is kept here by RR arrivals and departures. We can relax after enjoying a late lunch. Toward sunset we'll entice their son Memo, a third generation Mancinas involved in tourism, to take us to the canyon rim for a walk. It will take your breath away; not just the scenery, but the lack of air at 7000 feet above sea level. Canyon rim rendezvous begins here with a night at Lola's.

Day Three

We meet our local guides and arrieros (Spanish for burro drivers) after a hearty breakfast. A long gentle descent takes us to a pastoral valley for lunch. Our guide Jilo's dad homesteaded this rancho called Manzano (apple tree) when he was working on the railroad. Not far away, weird rock formations stand sentry over our campsite that night under a brilliant canopy of stars, satellites, planets and meteors.

Day Four

We start hiking after breakfast. Small homesteads nestle in valleys between canyon narrows. You might see a Tarahumaran splitting cedar shingles for a roof, or plowing his tiny, rocky field with a wooden plow pulled by a cow or two. Typically, oak plowshares are hardened in a fire; so are the oak wedges used to split shingles using hand fashioned mallet or an axehead passed down for generations. Ruins and pictographs give evidence that these locals weren't the first to inhabit these fertile fields.

Day Five

We arrive at the river high up on its journey to the sea. Enjoy hiking and swimming.

Day Six

We leave the river at a narrows. This is the starting point for the canyoneers' route downstream. The river descends abruptly, while we traverse and begin the ascent. Camp is in a remote village inaccessible by vehicle. A small church maintains the Tarahumarans' link to the Catholic religion, and functions as their social center for festivities. Fortunately for us, these normally shy villagers have begun looking forward to our arrivals.

Day Seven

A leisurely start gives us more time to enjoy this little village. We continue the ascent to a Tarahumaran Rancho for the night.

Day Eight

Corn fields and orchards abound in this broad valley. Peach, plum, and apple trees blossom in the spring. The highest part of this valley shows evidence of a dam. Back at the guesthouse, Hot Showers and cold drinks await us!!!

Day Nine

We leave for Creel after breakfast. The Mission store has topographic maps and an excellent selection of books on the area. Then we're off to Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi. This spectacular site is home to Mexico's third highest waterfall at 830 feet. It heads the Barranca Candamena known for stellar rock climbing and home to Mexico's highest waterfall Piedra Volada (flying rock) at 1200 feet. Opposite Piedra Volada is El Gigante - a 3000 foot (1000m) big wall climb. It's a completely underrated attraction so enjoy it before development arrives. Tonight we sleep dormitory style in a rustic farmhouse in a village without electricity.

Day Ten

An early breakfast makes for an early departure, and it's a long way back to Tucson

Day Eleven

Fly Home

Escorted Hikes and Burro Expeditions in Mexico's Copper Canyon

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