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Copper Canyon to the Sea of Cortez
Dual-Sport/Dirt Adventure in Mexico
11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS
Dirt Riding on Rough-Cut Single-Lane Roads - Trail Riding Options
A TRI-STATE TOUR INCLUDING CHIHUAHUA, SONORA AND SINALOA.
INCLUDES: CEROCAHUI, CHINIPAS, ALAMOS, EL FUERTE, LOS MOCHIS, TOPOLOBAMPO, LA REFORMA AND URIQUE.
BEST AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATIONS (NO PLANNED CAMPING)
Paved Miles: 1020 / Dirt Miles: 400 - It is possible to trailer down to Creel and reduce the paved riding miles to 250 if you have a non street legal bike, please let us know
General Description
Located between what most riders and tourists know as Copper Canyon and the western Sea of Cortez, lays a vast uncharted region of rugged mountains, sprawling rivers and desert valleys. This area is known as the Baja Sierra Tarahumara. It is the land through which Spanish missionaries traveled on their way to the northern Mexican heartland in the early 1500s. It is rich in history, yet due to its rugged facade, it has remained dormant in time. As a land populated with cowboys and Indians, it resembles our American West in the mid-1800s. This area will delight even the most globally traveled, dual-sport/dirt rider.
Bikes and Riding Experience
KLR-650 style bikes will do well on this trip. Any bike that is more dirt oriented will, of course, also be excellently suited for this expeditionary-style trip.
All riding is on single-lane roads, many of which are rough-cut. These roads pass through sparsely inhabited terrain. At suggested locations, trail and off-road riding will be available for those wishing to extend the challenge. Gas is of good quality. Where needed, the support vehicle carries any necessary fuel during the extended remote portions of this trip.
Better than average riding skills are required and good health with reasonable physical fitness are important assets for completing and enjoying this type of trip.
Tour Start and End Points
Start and end points are in Douglas, Arizona. For those groups or individuals arriving by bike or with trailered bikes, we will meet at 5:00 PM prior to the tour start date. A specified hotel location with room reservations will be designated. Secure storage of tow vehicles is provided. For those trailering dirt bikes, you will continue trailering with us to Creel, where secure storage of your tow vehicle and trailer will be available. Dirt bike riding will commence from there.
Border Crossings
Things you must have to enter Mexico with a motorcycle:
- An unexpired passport or certified birth certificate (no photocopies).
- A major unexpired credit card in your name.
- An unexpired drivers license.
- The title or unexpired registration to your bike. One or the other is sufficient. It must have your name listed (no photocopies).
Passengers riding in the support vehicle need only bring an unexpired passport or certified birth certificate (no photocopies).
Geography Located less than 300 miles southwest of the Texas Big Bend National Park, the Sierra Madre mountain range contains 25,000 square miles of remote canyons, many of which are dual-sport and dirt bike accessible. Copper in color, a surprising number of these canyons are both larger and deeper than our own Grand Canyon. Together, they are quite possibly the largest canyon system in the world, including Tibet.
Highly vegetated and filled with wildlife, the canyons are home to Amerindians, known to us as the Tarahumara. These friendly cave dwellers are famous for their hundred-mile runs and their tesquino, or corn beer. You will see them and one of their cave homes on this trip.
Weather
Other than the rainy months of late July and August, this trip may be made available throughout the year. Spring and fall generally are the best seasons to visit the canyons; however, winter trips have been cooler in the river valleys and have been generally delightful. Higher elevations at 7,000 feet will see evening temperatures go below freezing, but daytime highs are in the 60s to 70s. The air is low in humidity and resembles that of Colorado. Canyon bottoms and river valleys at 1,500 feet generally see warm to hot weather and palm trees; subtropical plants and cacti are abundant. Rainfall is less than two inches a month for spring and fall; however, it can come on suddenly, so carrying light rain gear is advised.
General Tour Itinerary
Due to the more rugged nature of this trip, weather may play a significant variable in altering the itinerary of individual expeditions. For example, swollen rivers may delay or significantly alter the tour's route and progress. Although no camping is planned, a sleeping bag is recommended. Keep in mind, it is all part of the adventure!
Day 1 Gomez Farias
Our first day’s journey takes us across the northern parts of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts to the mountain town of Gomez Farias. Our hotels location provides a nice resting point for the ride into the Barranca del Cobre.
Day 2 Creel
Founded as a rail and logging town, Creel often serves as the gateway to the Copper Canyon and Sierra Madre mountain chain. Resembling a smaller version of Flagstaff, Arizona, this 7,300-foot altitude town is surrounded by rocky cliffs and pine trees. Our exquisite log cabin lodge awaits us with great food and modern accommodations. Here, dirt-bike clubs may safely stow their tow vehicles and trailers until their return journey home. For those wishing to practice some off-road riding, a local park with some fascinating rock formations and Tarahumara cave dwellings awaits.
Day 3 Cerocahui
Taking the most rural and scenic road, we travel through numerous water crossings and pass between steep canyon walls. The river valley finally leads us to our Rosen's Rides headquarters located at the Lodge at Paraiso del Oso. From here we visit the famous "Mission" church in Cerocahui, founded in the early 1500s. Time is available to enjoy the area's pristine natural beauty.
Day 4 Chinipas
We enter Mexico's outback via Bahuichivo. Here we briefly follow the railroad, which painstakingly has come from the more coastal city of Los Mochis. We climb a number of pine-covered mountains and stop for lunch in the picturesque town of Temoris. Some of the most beautiful women in Mexico must have settled here, as the views are quite lovely. Refreshed, we begin a lengthy and arduous mountain pass that by mid afternoon brings us to the historic mining village of Chinipas. Two steam locomotives decorate the town squares. Brought in by hand from Pennsylvania in the early 1800's, these narrow gauge locomotives served the surrounding mines for over 60 years. As we cross the mountains, we will break from the road and actually ride through one of these remaining and unused rail tunnels. The population of Chinipas is surprisingly Caucasian and many folks look like they just arrived from Eastern Europe. They are the descendants of immigrant miners who came to the area almost 200 years ago to work the mines. A local generator provides several hours of electricity in the evening.
Day 5 Alamos
In the morning we must cross the Chinipas River. Should water levels be high, the town is reported to have a rope-operated ferry to escort vehicles across. We promptly begin another series of challenging, yet no less beautiful mountain passes. Eventually we come to the famous mission and colonial town of Alamos. Here we check into our hotel and enjoy an evening meal. This picturesque colonial town is remote, yet has begun attracting wealthy natives and Americans who are restoring some of the beautiful hacienda-style homes.
Day 6 El Fuerte
A long and sandy road awaits us. The scenery begins to take on the look of the Baja peninsula. Mountains are on either side of us, yet our path is relatively level. We eventually come to pavement, the first we have seen in several days. El Fuerte is also steeped in history. We check into a lovely hotel with a swimming pool. We spend one night here and make plans to visit the coast in the morning.
Day 7 Topolobampo/Lago de Huites
Los Mochis is not located on the coast, however, Topolobampo and its sandy beaches are close at hand. We eat lunch at a palapa-covered beach front restaurant. Swimming is available as the water is generally warm and clean. We swing into town and visit this oceanfront town. We return to our hotel in El Fuerte and head out to a fishing lodge on the Lago de Huites.
Day 8 La Reforma/Urique
Today is a long day. By traveling through river valleys we arrive back at our lodge in Cerocahui by dusk. Past our hotel, we head inland to the ferryboat docking that will take us across Lago de Huites. From here it begins to look like Lake Powell, Arizona. The road is challenging and often drops into rocky riverbeds. The mountains grow in size and quickly surround us. We stop for lunch in the largely deserted mining town of La Reforma. From here we begin to climb steeply onto mountains covered with pine trees. After many hours of travel, we will descend into the Urique Canyon. Stopping at some beautiful vistas we will drop into the most amazing canyon of all of the Copper Canyon. Comfortable once again, we enjoy an excellent meal in a families home.
Day 9 Cerocahui
Passing the "Mission" church, built in 1680, we head back to the lodge in Cerocahui. This will be a day to rest and check over our bikes for the ride back to the border.
Day 10 Bahuichivo/Gomez Farias
We follow and parallel the railroad through river crossings and mountain passes. Eventually we make our way back to Gomez Farias and civilization. We have a great meal ahead of us and a chance to share the great adventures we have experienced on this trip. We know that anyone who has not ridden the canyons as we have will never be able to fully appreciate the magnificent adventure that we have just experienced.
Day 11 Agua Prieta/Douglas
We pack and head for the border. Hotel rooms await those who need them. We all say adios and head for home.
This Expedition Includes the Following Services:
- Lodging - Ten nights lodging (double occupancy) at the area's best hotels including all tips.
- Unscheduled Camping - We recommend bringing a sleeping bag and ground mat. These may be carried on our support vehicle throughout the entire trip. At any time, should weather and travel conditions not permit us to reach our evening's destination, an evening of camping may be necessary.
- Meals - Virtually all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, with tips. The meals are the best available in quality and, where possible, offer menu choices.
- Staff and Truck - A well-equipped, bilingual staffed support vehicle accompanies us throughout our entire journey. The vehicle is a Dodge 4X4 turbo-diesel truck with an extended cab and an eight-foot bed. Should a mechanical emergency occur with your bike, we will transport it to the border for you. A loaner bike may be available for hire.
- Daily maps and a thorough tour preparation package.
- Tow vehicle parking arrangements at Creel or at border entry/departure point.
Our support truck provides a complete set of basic metric tools, air compressor, KLR tires and tubes, emergency gas and oil, and can carry both you and your bike at any time during this trip should it ever be necessary. Justin Lopez our staff supervisor is an excellent guide and motorcyclist and specializes in the handling of off-road vehicles.
Travel Sickness
No special vaccinations are required to travel in Mexico. See your doctor if special health care requirements are necessary. Bottled water and quality accommodations have eliminated most health issues for our tour participants. The maximum altitude you will experience will be 9,000 feet.
Security
The Mexican and Indian people are very friendly. We have had no problems whatsoever. Bikes and belongings are always parked or stored in secure areas whenever possible.
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