| BACKPACK NAME |
DISTANCES-MILE/(km) |
DURATION |
BETA |
| CREEL via SAN IGNACIO to PBA |
(40 km) |
6 days to PBA* |
This hike leaves Creel and follows the arroyo that runs through town to the west. It passes the water treatment facility, crosses the highway and enters a gorge above Rocowata Hot Springs. Hiking detours are on either side. About two days downstream, the swinging bridge connects to various cross canyon routes. Maps: G13A22-Creel, G13A21-San Jose Guacayco, G13A31-San Rafael |
| CUSARARE via URIQUE RIVER to PBA |
(50 km) |
7 days to PBA |
Take the daily Guachochi bus to Cusarare(1:45h), and follow the Arroyo Cusarare downstream. You'll have to pay for admission to the falls complex (zipline); and then continue downstream. About a day downstream, the swinging bridge take you on cross canyon routes between Tejeban and Mesa Rohuerachi. Maps: G13A22-Creel, G13A21-San Jose Guacayco, G13A31-San Rafael |
| TEJEBAN via URIQUE RIVER to PBA |
(45 km) |
6 days |
You'll need someone to drive you to the ruins of the Hotel Tejeban (22 km from the Batopilas/Guachochi Highway). The extensive mining ruins are directly below the hotel ruins on the other side of the Urique River. This is the heart of the "Barranca del Cobre". Head downstream. This hike passes an abandoned bridge abutment used on the "Silver Trail". Maps: G13A32-Samachique, G13A21-San Jose Guacayco, G13A31-San Rafael |
| HUMIRA to PBA |
(55 km) |
7 days |
Take the Daily bus from Creel to Batopilas/Guachochi and depart at the Humira Bridge (2.5 hrs). This hike passes the "incised meanders" after an hour or so and pretty fluted rock riffles after another hour. Shorty a arroyo enters on RR, so it is possible to go for a long strenuous day hike. Allow several days to Divisadero. Maps: G13A32-Samachique, G13A21-San Jose Guacayco, G13A31-San Rafael |
| PBA to PAMACHI |
46/(73) |
2 days |
Leave PBA on the high trail past the mojonera (rock pile); descend left (east face) at Wooden Cross (Otebiachi Junction). This camino. Maps G13A31-San Rafael |
| GUITAYVO to GUAGUEVO |
(20 km one way) |
3 days |
Take the morning bus from PBA to San Rafael. Go down the stairs to the RR tracks to hire your guide at the RR station; and then through the saddle at the far end of the ball field (campo de beisbol). Maps G13A31-San Rafael |
| MOGOTABO to PBA |
(30 km) |
3 days; Loop |
This mesa to the east of Divisadero has an obscure route to the river. If you're running late, there's a spring against the wall behind a tiny orange grove about two-thirds of the way down (5-6 hrs). (1)descend to River camp (2)follow river to river camp (3)ascend to PBA. Maps: G13A21-San Jose Guacayco, G13A31-San Rafael |
| MOGOTABO to PAMACHI |
(50 km) |
2-3 days to Pamachi; 2-3 more back to PBA |
Take the obscure route to the river. Downstream on the Rio Urique ascend at the 3rd arroyo- river left. If you ascend at the 2nd arroyo, it will add a day to the loop. Maps: G13A21-San Jose Guacayco, G13A31-San Rafael |
| PBA to URIQUE |
(50 km) |
6-7 days, return on public buses ($40) |
Take the standard route to the river. Downstream on the Rio Urique are lots of great things to see and do. We recommend Entre Amigos in Urique. Maps: G13A21-San Jose Guacayco, G13A31-San Rafael, G13A41-Batopilas |
| URIQUE to BATOPILAS |
(30 km) |
3 days |
This hike is Caballo Blanco's daily routine to get from his house in Batopilas to his favorite internet connection at Entre Amigos Campground in Urique. It can be done in a day. Maybe the first time you shouldn't push it. There are only a couple of sources of water once you leave the river, so be aware of that if you overnight. The easiest route is by Pie de las Cuesta to La Aguja. There's another route past Los Alisos to El Manzano and down to Cerro Colorado. Maps: G13A41-Batopilas |
| BARRANCA CANDAMENA |
(20 km) |
Dayhikes |
The heart of Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi is Barranca Candame–a. Mexico's 3rd highest waterfall Cascada Basaseachi at around 850 feet is breathtaking, especially during the rainy season. It is easily accessible by bus or car, and the sleepy Ejido San Lorenzo has a couple of guesthouses. Ask for Do–a Ramona or Joaquin & Juanita. Rancho San Lorenzo has overpriced rooms and meals, the owner doesn't have much to offer beyond location. But he has location in spades. There's an abandoned logging road through his property to the pouroff of Mexico's highest waterfall Piedra Volada. To get a view of this 1200 foot free-fall plunge you have to drive around the canyon to Cajurichi and turn off past Huajumar on the dirt road to the county seat of Ocampo, but an all-day hike from Rancho San Lorenzo leads to the pouroff. It is spectacular! You can also get to the pouroff from Cahuisori (and that road takes you to some other respectable hiking destinations). There is also camping in the village of Basaseachi at Victor's, and at the waterfall pouroff parking in the cul-de-sac; ask for Nestor. Maps: H12D89-San Isidro Huajumar |
The trainstop at Posada Barrancas/Areponapuchi (PBA) is just 2 kilometers from the trailhead down to the Urique River. It's an easy walk, on a paved road; and it goes downhill from the train station. As you pass the church and the paved road turns right, just stay straight for the trailhead. Hours later and after a descent of practically 5000 feet, this trail reaches the river; and ends! Well not quite, if you've got your gear well sealed in a dry bag it's just end of the hike, and the beginning of the swim. Notice this spot carefully; it is also the exit to the rim for many other hikes described above. If you want us to guide you, call us at 520-324-0209, or email us at Copper Canyon Trails. Or just let us know if you found this page helpful, or if you have any suggestions to make it better. Otherwise, Jilo may be your best bet for a hiking guide but he doesn't like to get wet. Guides with burros are more available-you'll still walk but burros carry the gear. Horseback riding/pack trips are also available. Maps? Your best bet is the Mission Store in Creel. You will be glad to have a compass and good orienteering skills as the maps are notoriously inaccurate. The rivers and elevations are there sure enough, but roads and trails may be exposed rock ridges or dryfalls; and did I mention cliffs and canyons! Ah! Chihuahua.