Copper Canyon, Mexico March/April 07

[cruiser_guy]

Anyone interested in a trip through Copper Canyon? It's not a hard trail for dedicated rock crawlers or anything like that.
Tentative dates would be the last week of March or the first week of April. I'm more interested in sightseeing than in beating up my truck. There may be a river crossing or two thrown in for good measure. Other than that basically dirt/gravel roads from what I've been able to find out.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

Anyone interested in a trip through Copper Canyon? It's not a hard trail for dedicated rock crawlers or anything like that.
Tentative dates would be the last week of March or the first week of April. I'm more interested in sightseeing than in beating up my truck. There may be a river crossing or two thrown in for good measure. Other than that basically dirt/gravel roads from what I've been able to find out.

I'd love to, but have already committed to 2 weeks baja in march.
have fun!
J

 

[cruiser_guy]

Is no one interested in a trip though a little known canyon that is reputedly BIGGER than the Grand Canyon and certainly less well known!?!?! It's in the north of Mexico so not too far in for those who are concerned about that. I have personally been through Mexico many times and there is not that much too worry about.

 

[Live to Ski]

I've hear some great things about that canyon. Unfortuately, I'll be in school at that time. And besides, my '60 not ticking all that well of late. Have a great trip!

 

[cruiser_guy]

Here's a website for the Copper Canyon.
http://www.mexicoscoppercanyon.com/
Check it out!!

 

[chris777]

wow, I would really like to go. I have been through that canyon on a train. I drive into Mexico all the time my mother retired down there in San Miguel. The only problem is, I can' go in March, that is when Roundup is. Are youing in through Creel and then down in to Batopilas? sounds like a great trip. Especially now that gasoline is so "cheap." I am headed to France this week, and the gasoline is almost $6 a gallon!

 

[cruiser_guy]

wow, I would really like to go. I have been through that canyon on a train. I drive into Mexico all the time my mother retired down there in San Miguel. The only problem is, I can' go in March, that is when Roundup is. Are youing in through Creel and then down in to Batopilas? sounds like a great trip. Especially now that gasoline is so "cheap." I am headed to France this week, and the gasoline is almost $6 a gallon!

Probably won't be March but rather the first week of April which should be really good since that's "Semana Santa", the week before easter.
I'd expect to see some processions and things like that in the local towns.
The plan at this point is to go from east to west but I'm not stuck on that.

btw. gasoline in Mexico is always cheap! This past summer it was about 50% of the cost in the States! I don't expect that it's much more now. I run diesel and it was about $6 (that's pesos not dollars)/liter. In Canada it's right about a dollar/liter and the exchange is 10 pesos to a dollar.

 

[chris777]

well, I drive in Mexico quite a bit. and my mother is always complaining about the price of gasoline in Mexico. It usually runs around 10% higher in Mexico than it does in the states. The reason is that they hardly have any functioning refineries down there. They have to ship all their crude to Texas and Lousianna to be made into gasoline, then it has to be shipped back, of course. that 6 pesos/gal you mentioned is 56 cents. there are about 4 liters in a gallon, so 4 times 56 cents is $2.24. But if you got it for 6 pesos even, then that was a great price!

If you ever get low on gasoline, remember, EVERYONE has a stashed barrel or jug of it. they will put into your truck if yoiu are willing to pay extra. So dont' be shy about asking around if you run low. I once bought some at a taco stand.

Semana Santa IS the best time to go. have a great trip. You might see a lot of mountain bikers. Dont' let anyone up here try to scare you off. Its probably more dangerous up here than it is down there.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Hey, I spend most of each year south of the Mexican/US border. I'm NOT concerned about driving in Mexico. I've been through Mexico from north to south probably 8 times in the last few years as well as traveling though Central America as well.
Alot of the stories that folks hear about Mexico are blown way out of proportion.

 

[chris777]

I agree. have a great time.

 

[cruiser_guy]

So on one is interested in the Copper Canyon!?!

 

[jonb96150]

I was just thinking about Copper Cyn this morning, but I would have to go the week after Easter, when my daughter's high school is on spring break.
JonB

 

[cruiser_guy]

She'll learn WAY more on a week trip through Mexico than they can teach at school in a week (that's what my kid's teachers said when we went for a month a few years ago. They encouraged us to take the kids out of school [9th and 10th grades then]). Besides the week before Easter is way more interesting than the week after. They should have celebrations and fiestas going on then. Have you ever been that deep into Mexico? It's totally different than Tijuana or Juarez. You see how the people really live.

 

[jonb96150]

She'll learn WAY more on a week trip through Mexico than they can teach at school in a week (that's what my kid's teachers said when we went for a month a few years ago. They encouraged us to take the kids out of school [9th and 10th grades then]). Besides the week before Easter is way more interesting than the week after. They should have celebrations and fiestas going on then. Have you ever been that deep into Mexico? It's totally different than Tijuana or Juarez. You see how the people really live.

No I havn't been off the tourist path. My daughter has taken Spanish for the last 6 years and it would be great for her. I will give this some thought.

 

[cruiser_guy]

JonB, I'll bet if you talk to her teachers they will encourage you to go, especially the Spanish teacher!

 

[jonb96150]

pm'ed you.

 

[umpqua]

Just returned from driving the length of the baja. Gas is a little less than in the states; maybe 20%.

I've travelled (driven) to Mexico in different parts of the country for the past 20+ years. NEVER, ever have had any sort of problem. People are ultra friendly, food is great, beer is even better.

I have backpacked and hitchiked in to and in the Copper Canyon and highly recommend it. It's incredible country. Two "towns" that I remember are Urique and Batopillas (sp). This would be a GREAT trip in a LC and wish that I could go but gotta go back to work in March.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Cruiser_Guy
I am planning a trip to Barranco de Cobre (copper canyon) some time this year. Mine is for different reasons, mainly mtbiking....
What route you planning on taking if you are coming north from the USA into mexico?
Or are you driving from Guatemala?
Im planning on driving down all the way to Cabo and then taking the ferry across the peninsula and into the main land.

I was recently in the town on Puebla climbing Pico de Orizaba and did not have a problem at all. People were pretty helpful and willing to send you in the right direction.
Let me know how your trip goes Im trying to get as much beta as I can for this trip.

Cheers <-----Negra Modelo <----- Gallo Cerveza <----- Moose Head

 

[cruiser_guy]

Cruiser_Guy
I am planning a trip to Barranco de Cobre (copper canyon) some time this year. Mine is for different reasons, mainly mtbiking....
What route you planning on taking if you are coming north from the USA into mexico?
Or are you driving from Guatemala?
Im planning on driving down all the way to Cabo and then taking the ferry across the peninsula and into the main land.

I was recently in the town on Puebla climbing Pico de Orizaba and did not have a problem at all. People were pretty helpful and willing to send you in the right direction.
Let me know how your trip goes Im trying to get as much beta as I can for this trip.

Cheers <-----Negra Modelo <----- Gallo Cerveza <----- Moose Head

I've got NO worries driving through Mexico, I've done it many times, the issue is creek crossings solo. If I stall or otherwise have problems at the creek crossings I'm in trouble. A second vehicle would make all the difference.
I'll be coming from the states and heading south afterwards. I'd be coming from Nogales or Casas Grandes depending on who comes along and what works best for them.

 

[umpqua]

I may be wrong about this but I think that ferries are only available at Santa Rosalia and La Paz. I don't recall that Cabo has ferry service.

We backpacked in the Copper Canyon and I remember crossing the Rio Urique (sp) and the water was chest deep. It could always be lower (or higher) and I'm sure the locals know crossing spots but crossing that river would really be a pucker. Love to hear about your trip.