Carved beauty: Copper Canyon and nearby areas offer natural wonders

By Jonathon Shacat
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 - 11:10:59 pm MST

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Most people in Cochise County are probably familiar with Arizona’s Grand Canyon, but many may not realize there is a larger and arguably more impressive canyon located only a day’s drive south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Copper Canyon is a series of more than 20 spectacular canyons, which altogether comprise a region that is four times larger than the Grand Canyon and in several parts much deeper, according to Lonely Planet travel guide.

Tourists can travel to the region via car, bus or train. People going by road can start in Agua Prieta or Naco, Sonora, and head to the town of Creel in the state of Chihuahua. The railroad connects the city of Los Mochis along the Pacific coast with the city of Chihuahua in northern Mexico.

The Copper Canyon Railway, which is 407 miles long, has 87 tunnels and 36 bridges, according to Lonely Planet.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

“The beauty of the landscape it traverses — sweeping mountain vistas, sheer canyon walls, sparkling lakes and fields of flowers, most of it free of humans and development of any kind — has made it one of Mexico’s prime tourist excursions,” states the book.

The train stops briefly at Divisadero, which is basically the halfway point between Los Mochis and Chihuahua, and passengers are allowed to get off and view the Copper Canyon.

Some travelers opt to exit the train at nearby Creel so they can spend a couple days exploring. Many travel guides there offer trips to enjoy the region’s scenery. Experienced travelers can buy a map and tour the area on their own.

Nearby destinations are the Cusarare waterfall and Recohuata hot springs, as well as the Valley of the Monks, Valley of the Frogs and Valley of the Mushrooms, which each feature natural rock formations in the shape of those objects.

About three hours by vehicle northwest of Creel is the Basaseachi waterfall. At 807 feet high, it is the second highest in Mexico. The Piedra Volada waterfall is higher, but it only flows during the rainy season, according to www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx.

The Basaseachi waterfall, located in a national park, can be viewed from some overlooks. Adventurous travelers can hike down to the base.

About five hours by vehicle south of Creel, at the bottom of the canyon, people can tour the former silver-mining town of Batopilas and a historic cathedral in Satevo.

People who drive to Creel need to get a vehicle permit and a tourist card. People who take a bus or ride the train only need to get a tourist card.

Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.

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Comments appear once they are approved. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

Dillon wrote on Jan 16, 2009 10:15 AM:

" To Who Cares: Get over your bitterness about a minority taking your lousy minimum wage job at the big box store. You're a 21st century Archie Bunker. "

HC Resident wrote on Jan 14, 2009 9:06 AM:

" I'd LOVE to go, it looks beautiful, BUT, with all the reports of border murders, drug cartels and shootings, I'm a bit scared. I'd love to go to Rocky Point but have heard too many horror stories about being mugged, robbed and murdered along the highway. What a shame Mexico. "

OK Who wrote on Jan 14, 2009 7:24 AM:

" I may just do it! Except that I don't drive a Honda. For exploring Mexico a more reliable 4x4 vehicle is better. I am a passionate traveler. My report would focus more on the indigenous people of the canyons, the archeology there and the types of flora found. I avoid tourist traps as they tend to cater to certain businesses. I go for the people and the history. "

Who cares wrote on Jan 12, 2009 6:52 PM:

" Come on, it is beatiful, go explore it, load the family up in your Honda, and we may be reading about your trip to a third world country. "

Come on Who wrote on Jan 11, 2009 9:08 PM:

" Copper Canyon is a beautiful region that I would love to explore some day. Even Backpacker Magazine a few years ago wrote a beautiful write-up on that place. The photos attached to this story are amazing, don't you agree? "

Who cares wrote on Jan 11, 2009 8:19 AM:

" Another Mexican story by the mexican reporter shacat. We have many beautiful tourist spots in AZ, without the chance of getting caught up in robbery, kidnapping, or shootings by drug cartels. "