BARRANCAS DEL COBRE ~ aka COPPER CANYON

Barrancas del Cobre, located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, is actually larger than the Grand Canyon, and consists of a number of canyons.  The area was a big silver mining area a century ago.  Plans were first made for a train to traverse this rugged area in the mid 1800's, but between changes in management, wars, and other difficulties it took 100 years to finish.  Now run by the Mexican government, the Chepe train runs from Los Mochis on the Sea of Cortez to the city of Chihuahua.  Bill and Alice, along with friends Ted and Carolyn from Idaho, spent parts of four days on the rails during the week we explored Copper Canyon!

Our first stop was at Paraiso del Oso Lodge near Cerocahui, right at a mile high! There is a rock outcropping above the lodge with a distinct side view of what the owners affecionately call Yogi Bear (see slideshow). This rustic hotel was a fun place to meet the locals who work there and the turistas passing through. It was cold enough to enjoy the wood stove in our room both nights~ We took a tour that included a mission and the overlook to Urique, an old mining town 4,500 feet below us in Urique Canyon. Our next stop was Creel, north of the canyons and the center of this area, at 7,200 feet.. The huge Lodge at Creel is run by Best Western! Another tour took us to several unusual rock formations, two mission churches, a lake and a waterfall.  The Tarahumara Indians are the local natives and the women do marvelous work with pine needle and other baskets. Carolyn and Alice went a bit crazy... Alice also bought two lovely pottery bowls made in Chihuahua State. Now to get them home without breaking them!  Our last stop was at Mirador Hotel on the rim of Copper Canyon, above.  The food throughout the trip was first class, and the chef at Mirador undoubtedly earned the award for great presentation~  The dinner the last night as we returned to El Fuerte and our truck was exquistite as we dined on freshwater lobster, hosted by the hotel owner and his wife.