The Copper Canyon is in fact a network of canyons which together are several times larger than the Grand Canyon. The most popular way to explore the Copper Canyon is on the “Chihuahua al Pacifico” Railway. The track passes over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 2,400 meter (7,900 feet) above sea level featuring spectacular views of the canyons below.
Copper Canyon
Copper Canyon (Spanish: Barrancas del Cobre) is a group of six distinct canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental in the southwestern part of the state of Chihuahua in northwestern Mexico. The canyons were formed by six rivers that drain the western side of the Sierra Tarahumara (a part of the Sierra Madre Occidental). All six rivers merge into the Rio Fuerte and empty into the Gulf of California. The walls of the canyon are a copper/green color, which is where the name originates.
History
The New Spanish arrived in the Copper Canyon area in the 17th century and encountered the indigenous locals throughout Chihuahua. For the New Spanish, America was a new land to explore for gold and silver and also to spread Christianity. The New Spanish named the people they encountered "Tarahumara", derived from the word Rarámuri, which is what the indigenous people call their men. Some scholars theorize that this word may mean ‘The running people'. During the 17th century, silver was discovered by the Hispanic in the land of the Tarahumara tribe. Some were enslaved for mining efforts. There were small uprisings by the Tarahumara, but to little avail. They eventually were forced off the more desirable lands and up into the canyon cliffs.
Climate
The alpine climate of the mountainous regions of Copper Canyon has moderate temperatures from October to November and March to April. The bottom of the canyons are humid and warm[vague] and remain that way throughout the year. During the warmest months, April through June, drought is a chronic problem with little rainfall until July when the rainy season begins.
Flora and fauna
The Sierra Tarahumara Occidental region contains numerous species of pine and oak trees. Mexican Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga lindleyana) trees cover the high plateaus in altitudes over 8,000 feet (2,400 m), but due to deforestation in the area, many species of wildlife are endangered. Cougars live in the remotest of regions and are rarely seen. After the summer rainy season these upper regions blossom with wildflowers until October.
From 4,000–8,000 feet (1,200–2,400 m), oak trees grow in the huge forests as well as the more shade-tolerant types of trees. In the fall the forests become brilliant with color from Andean alder (Alnus acuminata) and poplar (Populus spp.) trees. Brushwood and scrubby trees grow on the canyon slopes, which can accommodate the dry season. Huge fig (Ficus spp.) and palm trees thrive at the bottom where water is plentiful and the climate is tropical.
History
The ancestral home of the Tarahumara tribe, the canyon began to attract Jesuit missioners and miners in the early 16th century. In the 1870s, American Albert K. Owen began a rail link between the Sea of Cortez and Texas. Funding ran out, however, and the track was only laid on the eastern side. In 1961, visitors finally had access by rail when the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad opened
The Train
Luxury and leisure are the catchwords as the daily departures, one in each direction, wind along the 400-mile route with its 39 bridges and 86 tunnels. The air-conditioned trains take about 14 hours to cover the distance. Meals are available on board. Stops include the colonial city of El Fuerte, Bahuichivo – the station for the hotel at Cerocahui – and Divisadero, the highest point on the route, where passengers have time to view the canyon and buy souvenirs. Then it’s on to Creel, a more populated and commercial town. From there the surroundings are more conventional as the train descends toward Chihuahua City.
Accommodations
Balderrama Hotels and Tours have done business since the route opened and monopolizes accommodations along the more isolated stretches. The company’s highly-rated hotel properties vary from the basic Hotel Mision in Cerocahui to the deluxe facilities of the Posada Barrancas Mirador at Divisadero. Creel, on the eastern side, has several hotels and motels.
Reference:
1. touropia
2. wikipedia
3. usatoday
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