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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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COPPER CANYON TIPS ??
Les has informed me that we shall soon head off to Copper Canyon - this is NOT Baja related BUT can anyone give us hints - tips - suggestions ?????
We will be driving to la paz. then taking the ferry across. then taking the train.
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chippy
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Posts: 1774
Registered: 2-2-2010
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I would not take the train from Los Mochis.Drive to El Fuerte instead. There are a few nice hotels there that you can leave your vehicle and its a
great little colonial town. The train ride from Los Mochis to El Fuerte is flat and boring and you would have to get up hours earlier in the dark.
Take extra batteries for your camera you will be taking alot of photos. We stayed in a hotel on the rim. I highly recomend it. Unbelievable sunsets
and the sunrises weren´t to shabby either. Google it there is alot of info out there. Have a great trip!
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shari
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Posts: 13052
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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oh blanca....I envy you...I so wanna do that trip...have a fantastic time! You deserve it. Please do a trip report afterwards.
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Paulclark
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Posts: 359
Registered: 10-13-2008
Location: Castillo de Arena
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Sit in the club car or the restaurant -- you get a better, more panoramic view as the seats in the passenger cars are high back and limit your view to
the window beside you, while the club car seats are low back. Also ignore the no standing between cars sign. The conductor doesn't mind and with the
top door open you can look out and get spectacular shots.
[Edited on 5-9-2010 by Paulclark]
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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The name of the hotel on the rim is Mirador and it is spectacular. When we were there we had a storm that had me in my rubber sole shoes in our room,
because the lightening was all around us.
I would recommend that you allow yourself the time to go the floor of the canyon at least once.
We really enjoyed Hotel Mision in Cerocahui. You can do a day trip down into the canyon here but start early. It was here that we found the ladies
who weave baskets out of pine needles. I have some that still smell like pine.
I was underwhelmed with Divisadero but the open air food court at the train station is fabulous. You will get tired of train food so eat off the
beaten track at any opportunity.
The only suggestion we have always made to people doing the trip is dont do the train both ways but since you are leaving your car where you start(I
would also recommend El Fuerte as the starting point!) I dont think that you will have a choice.
It was one of the most interesting trips I have ever been on, so enjoy!
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Dave
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Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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I took this trip...
Over 25 years ago. We left out of Chihuahua. Along with a vist to the canyon floor, a memorable side trip was a trek to the Basaseachi falls. IMO, it
is not to be missed.
I have since learned there is an even larger falls located in the canyons. Don't know if it is readily accessible, though.
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Ken Cooke
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Posts: 8970
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Have a wonderful time!
I did a driving trip there in early 2007. Have a great time!
El Divisadero - The Tarahumara sell lots of recuerdos at reasonable prices.
[http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/d/6400-2/Native+weavers+at+Diverisadero.jpg]
The route running through Canyon country.
[http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/d/6523-2/Road+sign.jpg]
Urique Canyon
[http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/d/6600-2/Overlook.jpg]
Here is what El Rio FUERTE looks like
[http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/d/6607-2/Storm+coming+in.jpg]
The Ciudad Fuerte is very quaint, and you'll love the walk on the Malecon (Boardwalk) there in town. Beautiful place, IMO.
Tip of the day: Take a ride through Creel, Chihuahua to see where the canyon dwellers live - in actual caves! Have a great time, and enjoy the cool, clean air at the top of the mountains. I was there in the winter, and while
El Fuerte was warm, Creel was cold/under snow.
-Ken
[Edited on 5-9-2010 by Ken Cooke]
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DianaT
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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We really like the town of Creel ---hope you enjoy it. Also, a trip down to Batopilas is sometime you will not forget. The road is a fun one
especially if you are in a bus---it is better than years ago, but it is still a wild ride. They also rent small trucks in Creel if you want to
drive down.
We stayed at the hotel in Batopilas that is right on the plaza---Nice people and interesting place, but it very well might be quite hot at the bottom
of the canyon. It is a totally different climate.
From Batopilas a quick trip out to the "lost mission" is interesting.
We have been there several times, but the last time we took the train, almost 20 years ago, we started in Chihuahua, stayed in Creel and then rode to
Los Mochis. The best part of the train trip is between Creel and El Fuerte. I guess the new trains are quite nice----the old one was straight out of
an old western movie.
It is a beautiful area----have fun!
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Bajahowodd
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Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Don't wish to spoil the party... Took the round trip from Chihuahua in 2001. However, there has been recent cartel violence in and around Divisadero,
prompting the State Department to add that area to its watch list.
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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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such great ideas ...thanks all of you so much !!!! NOW, I am REALLY excited ...
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bigmike
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Posts: 175
Registered: 9-8-2007
Location: Punta Banda
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Mood: Loving Life
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Copper Canyon
We just returned from doing this trip, however we drove from Ensenada to Tecate, across the toll road, then took the new road to Puerto Penasaco, to
San Carlos and then to El Fuerte, stayed at the El Choix in El Fuerte reasonable and very nice, was able to leave my car there while we were on the
train, stayed in Creel at the Best Westerm, very nice like cabins but upgraded, the to Posada Baranca where we stayed at the Mirador over the Canyon
Fantastic views.
Back to El Fuerte then took the ferry to La Paz where we stayed a week before driving home to Ensenada, if you would like to send me a message I would
be happy to send you my pictures on Picasa.
It was a trip of a lifetime, definetly sit in the bar car on the ride as you can see out the windows much easier. Have a great trip.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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As I recall, first class train has more or less assigned seating with porter service, so if you take a trip to the bar car, you don't lose your seat.
Also, if you snag a spot in between the train cars to take photos, you must guard it or risk someone squeezing in and not letting you back in. We
used "stand-ins" to save our spot. The street food vendors offer many selections - you won't go hungary. Also, be sure to hit Batopilas if time
permits - a couple nights at least. The bus leaves for Creel about 6:00 am on the return trip. Take rain ponchos. You get a feel for the quaint
town, and its charms, and the ride is spectacular. Get bus tickets about 2 blocks from Margarita's in Creel at the Bus station - about $18 (??) or
so. Leaves EARLY - but a great adventure. The Rio Fuerte Hotel offers great views, local color, hummingbirds, tour guides. At least check it out.
Have a wonderful trip.
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Bajafun777
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Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
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Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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If you decide to stay in Los Mochis, a great town, the Best Western on Avenue Alvaro Obregon #691 Los Mochis, Sinaloa 81200 phone number is 1 (52)
16688163000 right across the street from the big Catholic Church and Park Square is great. We used Expedia to book it and for 2 nights with tax ran
about $200 dollars. This is a high end hotel with secure parking and you can make arrangements to leave you vehicle there while going to Copper
Canyon. Very good food at hotel, great service, can arrange ride to train then a pickup service when you get back, hotel very helpful with these
things. Music and venders in Park on Friday and Saturday nights along with a great fish resturant up 3 short blocks from the hotel. No problem driving
down there, as we have done it about 7 times counting just this past February. Have Fun and The Copper Canyon is Fun and Pictures are a must as my
friends all tell me, LOL.. I really liked the others nomads suggestions as well, will keep those in mind when I take my relatives down for the
Copper Canyon Fun Train ride. Later--------- Bajafun777
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wessongroup
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Location: Mission Viejo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
We really like the town of Creel ---hope you enjoy it. | Quote: |
This may have been just a bay day....but 8 people were killed.... heavily armed men setting up road blocks and doing anything they wished to do.....
on this particular day in the town of Creel
Have a good time... but, be careful..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTaS41pxf-I&feature=playe...
Looks a bit like Iraq..... but, it is in Mexico
As someone posted above, the Cartels are active in this area....
[Edited on 5-16-2010 by wessongroup]
[Edited on 5-16-2010 by wessongroup] |
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volcano
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Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
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Mood: always pining to be there
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Copper Canyon trip
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Les has informed me that we shall soon head off to Copper Canyon - this is NOT Baja related BUT can anyone give us hints - tips - suggestions ?????
We will be driving to la paz. then taking the ferry across. then taking the train. |
I would hghly recommend getting off at Bauchvo for a side trip..make reservations via email/website wth Ranch Paraiso del Oso, they will pick you up
at the train by pre arrangement. Stay out at their ranch for a few days and get a feel for inner canyon life. see the website to think about
activities there: hiking to caves with prehistoric runs, horse rides to same, trp down to river level, visit local community, see Tarahumara Indians
running along trails etc etc
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
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Mood: Want to fish!!!
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If you fish, Lake Huites is up in the mountains above Choix. Some of the best bass fishing in Mexico. In '01, a friend and I caught nearly 100 bass a
day, for 3 days straight. The train runs right over one of the many rivers that feed the lake. Spectacular scenery on the lake. We were amazed by all
the birds. Eagles fishing, hawks, cranes, ducks, geese, literally millions! Take a ton of batteries and extra memory for your camera.
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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See my '99 overland trip reports and pics at:
http://www.desertexplorers.org/ccfotos.htm
http://www.desertexplorers.org/tr-cucyn99/cucyn.htm
http://www.desertexplorers.org/patvirg.htm
http://www.desertexplorers.org/hughes.htm
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Big Mike - amazing pics
??? We are thinking of taking the slow train and ending up at Creel, then going to Batopilas ... has anyone taken the slow train?
it rains once a year in Bocana, have to hunt for some rain gear
Baja Bass, since I myself dont fish - I think we will leave the fishing for Bocana - come check us out !!! lots of fun and challenging from aug to
dec
thanks all of you - i have printed out everything so as not to miss anything you wrote
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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I would have to say dont take the slow train which I believe is considerably cheaper and uncomfortable. I only saw it from a distance but I would
guess that finding a seat would be a challenge. It is not slow for the sightseeing, it is slow because it is a local train and must give way to the
other trains. The ones we saw were crowded with people standing in the cars, between the cars...anywhere they could. I dont believe that they have
food but I could be wrong. I am sure that they dont have a bar car.
I took the trip in 2003 so things could have changed.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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On one of my Copper Canyono trips, we stayed a couple days in Madera - a small wood milling town on the edge of pine forest. Venturing from town, to
the forest, there are Anasazi ruins in the canyon walls a few miles before you cross the Rio Sirupe - very impressive. If you stay at Madera, ask at
hotel registration for a taxi driver who knows the location of the Cumplejo de Anasazi to take you - it's difficult to determine the turn-off from the
road. You can see pot sherds, waffle gardens, eagles, great views. The specialty in Madera is lake trout.
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