| COPPER CANYON, MEXICO |
 |
| HENRY NOWICKI 1 November 1999 |
| Copper Canyon, or Barranca del Cobre, has been described as deeper and bigger than the Grand Canyon (Ref 1) and that was enough for me to head for Los Mochis after debarking the Sun Princess (Ref 2) in Acapulco. Although there is a coastal bus route west from Acapulco, I chose to go the faster and longer route via Mexico City and Guadalajara to Los Mochis where the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway (ChePe) can be boarded for the northeastern run through the Sierra Madres to the canyon (Ref 3). Overnight in Los Mochis was easily accomplished and an early 0600 departure on the first class train ($60 to Creel) started the big day. This special train is no speedster and just crawls along. It was three hours late to boot so nothing whizzes by. The views are very pleasant once the foothills are reached and the tracks follow streams inland, sometimes along reservoirs and sometimes along steep walled valleys. Some three dozen tunnels are negotiated and a few u-turns including a 360 degree loop in a tunnel are encountered. The real surprise is that a view of the great Copper Canyon is limited to a fifteen minute stop at Divisadero where passengers peel out and hurry to a lookout for a few photos. The canyons, as there are more than one, certainly look enormous and interesting but they do not have the red and yellow cast of the Grand Canyon nor can one behold the full extent of their disposition from the lookout vantage point. One would have to trek along the rim or climb down into the canyons to appreciate them. Inasmuch as the train does not run along the rim, the trip tends to be less than one expects. Oh, the joys of travel. An overnight in the very rural upland town of Creel (Ref 4) is interesting and a very good road runs northeast to Chihuahua. Perhaps an approach from the north by road would be easier and would provide the access to the area for an extended exploration which is what is needed if one is to see enough of the canyon country. An interesting trip account (Ref 5) gives a slightly different view as to the rewards of the Copper Canyon trip. The Tarahumara inhabitants (Ref 6) of the canyon country can be encountered in the town and its vicinity. It appears that I will have to return, probably by car, to this region of northwestern Mexico. Maybe I will bring a bike with me as this area is noted for its biking trails. In any event, I know there is much more exploration to be attempted around the copper canyon. CLICK HERE for additional short travel accounts. CLICK HERE for ALOHA CRUISES Front Page.
|
 Sign Guestbook |
GeoCities, Your Home On The Web
