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Recent Media Release

Mexico's Copper Canyon and The Sierra Madre Mountains - By Train

Lubbock, Texas - tired of the traffic, crowds, the telephone, the press of civilization? You might be interested in a destination back in time. A visit to Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains with its magnificent Copper Canyon is unfettered by modern civilization and the only way to fully experience Copper Canyon is by train. See how the civilization lives and visit the Tarahumara Indians. One family, the Julio Morenzo Cruz family, live in a cave near the edge of a 100 foot drop into Mexico's Barranca del Cobre or Copper Canyon. Running water comes from nature - it drops from the ledge above into a cistern. They raise their own chickens and crops, cook over a open fire, weave baskets and create other crafts to sell to tourists. The women wear traditional brightly colored clothes and everyone wears shoes made of rope and old tires if they wear any shoes at all.

Copper Canyon, which is really a series of five canyons is over 6000 feet deep and covering an area over 900 square miles; amazingly, one and a half times deeper and four times larger than the Grand Canyon of Arizona. Change has come to the canyon in fits and starts. In 1871, an American named Albert Owen dreamed of building a railroad from Los Mochis to Kansas City on the Pacific coast. The Sierra Madre Mountains proved too much, and the whole project had to be abandoned. The Mexican government took over the rail project in 1939, but the work was not completed until 1961 when it was hailed as a feat of engineering at a cost of over $100 million. The result is a train trip unequaled on this continent. In the 400 miles from Chihuahua to Los Mochis, the Chihuahua al Pacifico crosses incredibly rugged and beautiful terrain, negotiating 39 trestles hundred of feet in the air, and passes through 86 tunnels. At one point, the train makes a 180 degree turn while inside the mountain. Therefore, creating an awe inspiring sensation.

Divisadero is the halfway point of the journey where Tarahumara Indians have set up temporary shops to sell baskets, drums, carved wooden figures, violins, and other crafts. At 7,700 feet, Divisadero is the highest point on the trip with spectacular views of the canyon and the mountains populated with pine trees.

The train ride from Chihuahua to Los Mochis takes about 14 hours, but the purpose of the train ride is to spend several nights in the Tarahumara villages along the way or to travel deeper into the canyon. Our trips are designed to let you venture off the train daily at major points of interest including Divisadero, Bahuichivo, Cerocahui, Tropical Los Mochis and Topolobampo. Walking is optional and enables walkers and non-walkers to take the same trip. Overnight accommodations are motels, bed/breakfast and hotels.

Bob Strong of Mexico Outback, Ltd  has taken tours to the Copper Canyon and the Sierra Madre Mountains for the last 9 years. He says, "The train ride is an experience, but spending time in and around the canyons will give one a true appreciation of this remarkable area". The pine covered cliffs with the sheer drop offs offer breathtaking views. For the more adventurous, hiking in this area offers a rare opportunity to really "get away from it all." Birds and wildlife abound, there are hot springs and clear warm rivers inviting a swim. The actual train ride ends in Los Mochis; however, there is a 20 minute bus ride to tropical Topolobampo revealing a nine mile long beach with lots of sea shells, sand dollars and an ocean with perfect temperature all year round.

Bob Strong will customize tours to the Canyon for all ages and fitness levels. Tours are scheduled eight times a year and are limited to 10 persons. For more information check out our contact page.

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