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Copper Canyon Hiking Tour
From Cerocahui to Urique to Batopilas
The hike from Cerocahui to Batopilas is
one of the classic hikes in Mexico. Hikers pass through
three different biological life-zones as they descend
into both the Urique and the Batopilas Canyons. You hike
the El Camino Real, visit two historic mining towns,
camp with friendly mountain families and spend time in a
ghost town. This hike is professionally supported with
top quality equipment and the best pack stock and horses
in Northern Mexico. A gentle horse or mule accompanies
each group to provide support in case of illness,
accident, or other problem.
To stand on the rim of the Canyon, knowing that you got
there on your own two feet, now that’s something
special. Our horse-supported treks make it even more
special by eliminating the drudgery. We supply camping
and cooking equipment and then transport it so you can
concentrate on enjoying your trek. You bring only a
sleeping bag and personal items.
Once in camp, you set up your campsite while our staff
organizes the kitchen, prepares drinks, and begins
cooking a gourmet meal. Over a cocktail or glass of
wine, your guide chats about the area, answers
questions, and points our natural features. We build the
nightly campfire so all you have to do is sit around the
fire and swap yarns. What a life!
Wake up to a morning cup of coffee then relax as we
prepare a filling cowboy breakfast. Watch as our
wranglers skillfully pack and balance loads before tying
them onto pack-stock. Now you understand the term "beast
of burden!" While our wranglers normally ride, it is
nice to know their horses are there for you in case of a
sprained ankle or other trailside incapacitation.
An English-speaking guide informs participants of human
and natural history of the area. This trip is available
only from October 1 to June 1 as summer rains frequently
make river crossings impassable.
 ZZ-OUT-72
Rates include
all lodging and meals. All camping equipment
except for sleeping bag and pad. Each group has an
English-speaking guide, a back-up horse or mule in case
of illness or injury.
8 days/ 7 nights $ 995
Single +$200
2008 Dates:
any time from October to May
Meeting: Bahuichivo train station
Airport: Chihuahua - take early
morning train from Chihuahua to Bahuichivo -- or via Los
Mochis
Min/Max: 4 to 14
Gratuities: 10% suggested
Not Included: Personal clothing and sleeping
bag, alcoholic beverages except as noted. Transportation
from departure point to Bahuichivo train station,
transportation from Creel after the trip. Trail
snacks and beverages, personal items and equipment. We
suggest participants purchase trip cancellation and/or
medical evacuation insurance.
Itinerary
Day One: The famed Copper Canyon train takes you from your departure point
to Bahuichivo station where you will be transferred to Hotel Paraiso del Oso.
Hike to Tarahumara Indian Burial Cave, time permitting, or do a historical tour
of Cerocahui. Welcome cocktail with Mexican bar-b-cue and fiesta around a
roaring campfire in our patio.
Day Two: Hike through the dramatic El Cajon Canyon then past picturesque
Tarahumara Indian ranchitos as you climb 400 meters to Pass of the Cross for
lunch and a dramatic overview of the canyons below. Continue your hike to the
Tarahumara pueblo of Huicorachi.
Doña Natividad, our host in Huicorachi is a charming Indian lady and one of the
few who talk openly about Tarahumara lifestyle. A short hike leads to a dramatic
preview of the tierra we will be hiking the next few days. A special campfire
cookout accompanied by dinner wine highlights festivities with our host family
as we celebrate our first successful day on the trail (4-5 hours hiking).
Day Three: Filling breakfast accompanied by hand-made tortillas. Morning
visit to the primary schoolhouse where hikers can talk about their homeland and
share small items they may have brought. We have a special relationship with
this school having been Padrinos (honorary sponsors) of graduating classes for
many years. A visit to the humble adobe church ends our stay in Huicorachi.
Mid-morning departure descending 1400 meters to Urique, in the very bottom of
the canyon. Founded as a gold rush town in 1690, this friendly pueblo is now a
county seat and commercial center for surrounding ranchitos. Pack trains of
mules or burros and individual pack animals are a common scene on the streets.
Arrive in time for a delicious meal while packs are taken to your room at Hotel
Estrella Del Rio overlooking the beautiful Rio Urique. Late afternoon free for
swimming or relaxing. (5-6 hours hiking)
Day Four: Follow the Rio Urique on a pleasant riverside hike through the
pueblos of Guapalaina and La Laja stopping for a last cold refresco (soft
drink). Take a swimming break before tackling the 350 meter climb to our
exclusive camp at the ghost town of Los Alisos on El Camino Real. During the
late 1800s this important trail carried millions of dollars worth of silver from
Batopilas. Once a thriving community, Los Alisos was completely abandoned
following a wild west shootout that split the community. We have purchased part
of the town and established a base camp with running water and full facilities
in a grapefruit orchard with mango, orange, chile picin, guayaba and lime trees
nearby (4-5 hours hiking).
Day Five: A light continental breakfast facilitates an early-morning
start on the 4000-ft climb out of the Urique Canyon. We've planned this hike to
be mostly in the shade with a mid-morning snack break along a quiet mountain
pool. Lunch at the most beautiful lookout in the region, bar none, then a short
hike to a mesa where Tarahumara Indians distill the legendary and powerful
lechuguilla. If our timing is right, we may be able to refill some bottles with
the drink. Leaving the mesa we continue an hour on a pleasant hike (mostly
level) to our camp at Trigo. (6-7 hours hiking).
Day Six: Leaving the rim views of Trigo, hike past Estación, once an
important re-supply stop on The Silver Trail from Batopilas to Creel. Huge pines
signal the start of rare first growth forest where you sink into deep pine
needles during a break overlooking San Fernando Canyon. Soon hikers encounter a
dramatic narrow trail skirting the canyon drop with majestic cross-canyon views
of Cerro Colorado. Pine trees give way to scrub oak, then to towering cactus of
the dry tropical thorn forest as hikers descend steeply to Los Terreros. Here
they spend the last night on the trail with the Cervantes family. Their charming
rancho on the edge of the Munerachi Canyon offers spectacular canyon views at
sunset and especially during the full moon. (5-7 hours hiking).
Day Seven: Leaving Los Terreros descend 1000 feet to the rustic mining
pueblo of Cerro Colorado for cold soft drinks before continuing the hike along
historic aqueducts to the famous silver mining town of Batopilas. Cerro Colorado
signals the start of gently descending trails and roads to Batopilas. Who can
resist the call of a local cantina as our dusty hikers enter Batopilas.
Batopilas may be in a dry county but that's another story. After washing down
the dust, we continue to our hotel for a hot shower and well-deserved break
before a gala farewell dinner. (3-4 hours hiking).
Day Eight: Morning free for optional activities such as a visit to the
famed "Lost Cathedral." Afternoon transfer to Creel. ln the event of a group of
less than six we opt for the 5:00 AM public transport to Creel. Or you may opt
to stay this night in Batopilas at your own expense and depart for Creel at 5:00
AM the following morning on public transportation.
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Advisory: Don’t hike without a guide!
Trails are confusing with main trails sometimes leading to ranches
instead of to your destination. Trails exist because of the
necessities of travel rather than for recreation. There are no trail
signs, waterholes are scarce and virtually nonexistent during dry
months. Finally, lone hikers risk stumbling onto someone’s planting
of illicit herbs or camping in questionable areas.
WARNING! This is a rugged backcountry trip where neither medical
care nor rapid evacuation may be available. We are not responsible
for acts of God which may interrupt the trip nor are we responsible
for the inability of any participant to complete the trip.
Elevations range from 1850' to over 7200' with total elevation
changes of over three miles. Conditions beyond our control may cause
schedule changes without warning.
READING LIST:
1) Franz, Carl. People’s Guide to Mexico
2) Lumhotz, Carl. Unknown Mexico
3) Schwatka, Frederick. In the Land of the Cliff Dwellers
4) Bennett & Zing. The Tarahumara
5) Kennedy, John G. Tara humara of the Sierra Madre
6) Fontana, Bernard. Tarahumara: Where Night is the Day of the
7) Fisher, Richard. Mexico’s Copper Canyon
8) Shepard, Grant. The Silver Magnet
9) Villasenor, Victor Rain of Gold.
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