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Panoramic Vista from Mexico's Highest Waterfall.

SIERRA TARAHUMARA: NORTH AMERICA'S DEEPEST CANYONS

The Copper Canyon area of Mexico's Sierra Madre is a large plateau of volcanic tuff deeply cut by rivers. The Tarahumaran Indians began to migrate here from the fertile plains of Chihuahua about 500 years ago. As Spanish efforts to find slave labor for their silver mining operations increased, the Indians adapted read more…

Copper Canyon Trails features burro-assisted hiking where clients carry little more than a daypack. We offer a 5-day (4-night) camping trip as part of a 9 day package, or a 6-day (5-night) camping trip as part of a 10 day package which includes the Copper Canyon Train and all travel connections from and back to the airport at Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Meeting us at the canyon rim is also possible. The camping portion includes day hikes in the canyon between the canyon rim and the river that are impossible to do by day hiking alone. A variety of hiking options will challenge the most experienced hikers. These burro trips are fully supported. We carry roomy expedition tents, and a fully stocked kitchen complete with a cook! Our attentive local crew will even deliver your duffelbag to your tent, and serve during happy hour?! Come and join the expedition!!

If you're short on time, but have the desire and stamina, we can fulfill your most aggressive itinerary. Or if you're looking for peace and solitude, birdwatching rare species at the extremes of their range, soaking in hot tubs miles from the nearest road, or discovering waterfalls during the rainy season, we can make your dreams a reality. Contact us to customize a trip.

PIEDRA VOLADA: MEXICO'S HIGHEST WATERFALL

Piedra Volada faces El Gigante in the magnificent Baranca Candamena.

Also known as the Sierra Tarahumara, this deeply fissured country boasts some of the deepest canyons in North America. In fact, if you're considering a trip to Las Barrancas, consider hiking Arizona's famous Grand Canyon as a great warmup! If so, also consider hiring one of our guiding buddies from All Star Grand Canyon Tours or Wildland Trekking to maximize your experience. The Barranca Candamena in Chihuahua is home to Mexico's highest, and third highest waterfalls. Piedra Volada, Mexico's highest waterfall at 1200 feet (365m) was only brought to the attention of the outside world in 1996. Unfortunately, these treasures of the Sierra Madre is not part of our basic itinerary, but you could (and should) extend your trip a day or two to see them. It's almost 4 hours away by twisty mountain roads from Divisadero, and 3 from Creel just to the lookout. Most hotels can easily arrange a day trip. You'll need a hiking guide to get further afield.

A network of trails cross this vast area, leading past ruins of mining camps and abandoned bridges not maintained since the heyday of the mule trains carrying silver bullion. It would take a lifetime to know the whole area, but we employ local guides who are intimately connected to it all. From their perspective, we get a rare insight into this fascinating environment. By request, we also offer an "11 day road trip" combined with a 5 day burro trek, or opt for day hikes only with an "8 day road trip" from the Tucson airport. See ruins, waterfalls, and local flora and fauna from the tropical to the temperate, and visits to the best that Chihuahua has to offer. Whether you're looking for camping with challenging day hikes, backpacking, ruins, indigenous culture and crafts, or canyoneering, Copper Canyon Trails can create the itinerary!

We camp out, or stay in rustic lodges. Accommodations may be spartan as much of the region is without electricity, but the meals are filling and the locals are friendly. We may experience remote ranch life for some meals. Group size is from 6 to 12 clients, always with 2 English speaking guides. Small group size gives us the opportunity to maximize your experience and minimize our impact. Backcountry meals are typically prepared using local ingredients as available.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

LINKS TO OUR FRIENDS

Subsistence mining still continues in the Sierras. A Water Powered Arrastra pulverizes rock.

Copper Canyon Trails is recommended by the definitive Mexico travel guide, Carl Franz' People's Guide to Mexico. We recommend this timeless travelbook not only for its perpetual usefulness, but for its entertainment value in reliving the pitfalls of a savvy gringo travelling in Mexico. Carl and his partner Lorena Havens have forgotten more about Mexico than most anybody will ever know, but they stay current and have a well used website where comments and up-to-date information are appreciated.

We inherited our Urique burro crew from Gary Zeigler and Amy Finger of Adventure Specialists. Gary, a world renowned authority on the Inca, and Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, recently discovered the Inca city of Llactapata, greatly increasing our knowledge of the importance of the Machu Pichu complex. They offer personalized tours in the Andes.

Copper Canyon Trails supports and works with Center for Biological Diversity. Their efforts to call attention to the fragmentation of fragile desert ecosystems have demonstrated the interconnectedness of diverse habitats; and Sky Island Alliance. Their pioneering efforts to document the larger habitats required for large mammals with the help of citizen-scientists have produced data that is used to establish wildlife corridors between distant mountain ranges; the "sky islands" separated by "desert seas". They have recently documented native jaguar hunting ranges as far north as southern Arizona. Please check out the websites of both of these worthy environmental organizations based in Tucson, AZ. We also support and admire NativeSeeds/S.E.A.R.C.H. For years this non-profit organization has maintained the integrity of distinct plant species in the Desert Southwest, including the Sierra Madre and the Colorado Plateau. In this GMO world when airborne pollen can compromise indigenous species, forever eradicating hereditary traits, this is an increasingly arduous task. Recently a seed farm has been opened in Batopilas to grow-out local seeds.

Those concerned with indigenous rights, particularly with a hankering to run 30 miles or more for a mere gourdful of Tesguino, visit Norawas de Rararmuri, friends of the running people. Otherwise, Sierra Madre Alliance has good information. OR, if you're into Running, you should already be here.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

BY AIRPLANE

Cute local girls in traditional dress make and sell baskets in the village and at the train station.

BY TRAIN

BY BUS

After the hike you can continue on, by train or bus, to Chihuahua City. The cathedral/central plaza area downtown is very picturesque. A popular zocalo with a centrally located gazebo is flanked by porticos. As sunset approaches, this area becomes a social center as prospective or perpetual couples make the paseo. There is a lot of revolutionary history in this town, and a Pancho Villa museum in a period palace called Quinta Luz. The actual car in which Pancho Villa was assassinated while driving thru Parral has retired here.

BY CAR

RULE #1: Don't drive at night! There is too much that can go wrong. Ranch stock wandering around the roads in daytime is bad enough. If a logging truck breaks down, you know he's going to stop right there. There's no shoulder. He might tip over if he did try to pull over. And don't expect blinkers or flashers. That wiring has probably been put to better use. Speed bumps aren't marked, and then there are pedestrians who are on the road because there are no lights and no shoulder. Remember Rule #1. There are convenient border crossings at El Paso, TX, Santa Teresa and Columbus, N.M., Douglas and Nogales, AZ. The canyon rim is at least 8 hours from the border, once you clear immigrations, so start early. Watch out for speed bumps (topes) once you leave the toll roads.

Driving Directions from Tucson.