Showing posts with label Copper Canyon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Copper Canyon. Show all posts

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Easy Hikes In Copper Canyon


Hikes In The Copper Canyon, Easy, Day-Hikes

 There are several easy,  day hikes in the Copper Canyon area that can be done from the village of Creel.  Bus service from Chihuahua can get you to Creel where you can find taxi, lodging, tour agencies, and a Copper Canyon Train stop.  this makes Creel a good base for hiking and biking the Copper Canyon.

Copper Canyon view
 from  Divisidero
  • Divisadero, Adventure Park
Divisadero is the site of a new (2010) adventure park built by the Mexican Government.  The park includes a teleferico, (cable car)  a zipline setup down in the canyon with a lengthy ride between two hills.  There is also  a rappelling experience offered which goes over the cliff edge with all the equipment including hard hat.  Nearby there is a restaurant with great views into the canyons.  
You can hike on a trail along the edge of the canyon that leads from the Divisadero, Copper Canyon Train stop to the Adventure Park,  Parque De Aventura.  The hiking trail along the edge of the canyons from the Divisadero bus and train stop is paved in places and offers a three miles round trip.  Two miles beyond the Teleferico you find the Areponapuchi train stop and the inns along the cliff edge. 

  • Transportation to Divisadero, Bus
Bus service reaches Divisadero from Creel via the Noroeste Bus.  The first bus leaves at 10:30 am from the small bus station just across from the Chepe, (Copper Canyon) Train Station in Creel.
Train stop in Divisadero 
The bus fare is 60 Pesos one way for the 29 mile trip (44km) over good paved roads.  After hiking, the return to Creel can be by the same bus line.  The last bus of the day from Divisadero to Creel is at 5:00 pm.  Afternoon buses: 2:00, 3:30, 5:00 pm.  Pay on the bus when returning.
Lodging is available in Divisadero at the Hotel Divisadero Barrancas del Cobre just below the train station. There is also lodging two miles southwest of the Teleferico at the  Areponapuchi train stop where inns line the cliff edge.  
Estrella Blanca to Creel from Chihuahua


  •               Transportation to Divisadero, Train

    • The Copper Canyon Train will arrive at Creel on its way west from Chihuahua at about 11:30 am.  You can take the second class train to Divisadero from Creel for 240 Pesos.  (400 Pesos first class)
      The train will arrive, however, later in the day at Divisadero and could cut the day hiking short.
      Lodging at the cliff edge 
      in Divisadero, Hotel 
      Divisadero Barrancas
      Taking the train for a return to Creel from Divisadero can also present problems because the train's arrival at Divisadero from the west end, Pacific Coast town of Los Mochis can vary by an hour or two.  It is best to ask the vendors at the station if the train has arrived yet.  If it has passed, there is the bus option for a return to Creel.  The train from the west usually arrives at Divisadero between 1:30 and 3:30 and on certain days there are two trains, a first class and a second class, economy train.  On other days, the first and second class trains are combined into one train.  (this can change with demand)
      Lodging in Divisadero at Hotel Divisadero Barrancas is always an option.  

      • Day Hike, Cusarare Falls.
      Another good day hike in the Copper Canyon area can be done from Creel, a hike to Cusarare Falls.


      ·        From Creel
      Regional dance performance in Creel
      There is a shuttle from Creel that makes a regular run the 14 miles to Cusarare.  The shuttle starts from the road just across from the train station near the small, Estrella Blanca Bus station.
      Take the shuttle bus down to the vicinity of Cusarare Cascade and hike in the cascade area.
       Start a hike back and hail the shuttle along the way or pre-arange a taxi pickup at the end of the day. Cabs are available in the center of Creel.
       A map is needed in this area as there are many dirt roads and trails.  The main trail out of Creel follows 
      the road, however, as it runs down past the lake and into Cusarare.  
      Lodging in Cusarare, Sierra Lodge,    360-588-1290
      Reserve inn advance to be sure of lodging

      Tour agency in Creel offers rentals and tours, maps and guides
      ·        Tours to Cusarare
      Check with the "Three Amigos" tour agency on the man street of Creel for transportation options, maps, vehicle rentals, bike rental,  etc.  
      Check also with the Posada Margarita next to the church in Creel Center for tour options to Cusarare.

      Train Fares from the Village of Creel.  The fares are in Pesos.  See exchange rates 

      Wednesday, June 27, 2012


      Bus To Copper Canyon From Chihuahua

      The Teleferico (cable car)  takes passenger from the canyon 
      edge near the divisadero Train stop to a hill down inside
      the canyon where a zip line ride is offered.
           


       Bus service reaches the Copper Canyon from the City of Chihuahua.            
                                                                                                                                   Visit Us On Facebook

      ·        Rapidos Cuauhtemoc Bus
      Estrella Blanca Bus offers bus routes into the village of Creel at the edge of the canyons via Rapidos Cuauhtemoc Buses.  The buses leave from the main terminal Central de Autobuses in Chihuahua for the five hour trip with a bus fare of 250 Pesos.  Trips start at 5:30 am and run until 2:30 in the afternoon.  The bus also stops in the City of Cuauhtemoc.

      ·        Creel, Village in Copper Canyon

      The train station in the town of Creel
      I like the town of Creel in the canyon for its bank with ATM, lodging, tour options, and its transportation.  The Casas Margaritas Hotel, just down the hill from the train station offers dorms and private rooms at budget rates, hot water, TV, WiF included.  Breakfast and dinner are also included with the room rate of 250-350 Pesos for a private room with bathroom.  Several tours are offered from the hotel, Cusarare Falls, Divisadero, Batopilas.

      A few blocks west, find the Plaza Mexicana Margaritas Hotel on a side street.  Not much to look at from the outside but a good restaurant, nice setting, great patio, and 400-500 Pesos for a private.
      Many other options for lodging are available in Creel including the Hotel Korachi at 200 Pesos, (no WiFi), and the five star Best Western Lodge at Creel at around 100 USD.
      ·        Tours
      Tour options are many in Creel.  The Three Amigos consistently receive good reviews for their tours and rentals of equipment.  They are a friendly and helpful resource for trip planning.  Find them in the Center of Creel about a block west of the bank.     
      ·        Self Guide Tours
      There are several day hikes and bike rides that can be done from Creel.
      Tarahumara Indian women put 
      on a demonstration of traditional 
      dance in the town of Creel
       Bus service is available via Noroeste, just across from the train station.  The Noroeste bus goes west along the northern edge of the Urique Canyon to Divisadero, Posada Barancas, and San Rafael.  These stops will offer hiking along the canyon edge, views of three canyons, and trips down into the canyon.  Buses start at 10:30 am and run to 6:30.  The last return bus reaches Divisadero at 5:00 pm.  The bus fare is 60 Pesos one way for the 29 mile trip (44km) to Divisadero over good paved roads.


       After hiking, the return can be by the same bus line.  The last bus of the day from Divisadero to Creel is at 5:00 pm.  Afternoon buses: 2:00, 3:30, 5:00 pm.  Pay on the bus when returning.  (Check as you go because these schedules can change with demand)

      The train stop at Civisadero offers views 
      into three of the canyons of the 
      Copper Canyon Park.Add caption
      • Divisadero
      Divisadero is the site of a new (2010) adventure park built by the Government.  The park includes a teleferico, (cable car)  zipline setup with a lengthy ride between two hills within the canyon, a rappelling experience over the cliff edge with all the equipment including hard hat, and a restaurant with great views into the canyons.  
      There is also a hiking trail along the edge of the canyon that leads from the Divisadero Copper Canyon Train stop to the Adventure Park,  Parque De Aventura.  The hiking trail along the edge of the canyons from the Divisadero bus and train stop is three miles round trip.  Two miles beyond that there is the Areponapuchi train stop, Posada Barrancas, and the inns along the cliff edge.  
      Lodging is available in Divisadero at the Hotel Divisadero Barrancas del Cobre just below the train station.  Find lodging also at Areponapuchi train stop, Posada Barrancas.

      • Train Transportation to Divisadero
      The Copper Canyon Train will arrive at Creel on its way west from Chihuahua at about 11:30 am.  You can take the train to Divisadero from Creel for 240 Pesos.  The train will arrive, however, later in the day at Divisadero and could cut the day hiking short.
      Taking the train for a return to Creel from Divisadero can also present problems because the train's arrival at Divisadero from the west end at Los Mochis can vary by an hour or two.  It is best to ask the vendors at the station if the train has arrived yet.  If it has passed, there is the bus option for a return to Creel.  The train from the west usually arrives at Divisadero between 1:30 and 3:30 and on certain days there are two trains, a first class and a second class, economy train.  On other days, the first and second class trains are combined into one train.
                    The train stop at Divisadero offers a
             walk way to the  teleferico with views into 
             three of  the canyons of the   Copper 
             Canyon Park.
      Lodging in Divisadero at Hotel Divisadero Barrancas or in Areponapuchi is always an option.  

      • Cusarare Falls.
      Another good day hike or bike ride in the Copper Canyon area can be done from Creel, a trip to Cusarare Falls. 
      ·        From Creel
      There is a shuttle from Creel,  Transportes Cusarare Choguita, that makes a regular run the 14 miles to Cusarare and beyond.  The shuttle starts from the road just across from the train station near the small, Estrella Blanca Bus station.
      Take the shuttle bus down to the vicinity of Cusarare Cascade and hike in the cascade area.
       Start a hike back and hail the shuttle along the way or pre-arrange a taxi pickup at the end of the day. Cabs are available in the center of Creel.  
      A map is needed this are as there are many dirt roads and trails.  The main trail out of Creel follows the road, however, as it runs down past the lake and into Cusarare.  
      The train stop at Divisadero offers 
      lodging with views into three of  
      the canyons of the Copper Canyon
       Park.
       Lodging in Cusarare   360-588-1290

      ·        Tours to Cusarare
      Check with the "Three Amigos" tour agency on the man street of Creel for transportation options, maps, vehicle rentals etc.  
      Check also with the Casas Margaritas Hotel next to the church in Creel Center for tour options to Cusarare.
        I booked a tour to Cusarare with Casas Margaritas and they put on a good tour with a visit to the mission church, the valley of Hongos, a cave dwelling, and the Cusarare Falls.