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The Ultimate Copper Canyon
Dual-Sport/Dirt Adventure in Mexico
10 Days / 9 Nights
Dirt Riding on Rough-Cut, Single-Lane Roads - Trail Riding Options
INCLUDES: GOMEZ FARIAS, CREEL, BATOPILAS, HUITES, ALAMOS, CHINIPAS, URUACHI, CEROCAHUI, URIQUE
We suggest 400cc bikes or smaller for this tour unless otherwise approved or discussed with staff. We recommend hauling your bike from the border to Creel on Day 1 to avoid riding nearly 400 miles of pavement. 85 highway miles and 600 dirt miles.
This tour includes the best of our Advanced Copper Canyon and Copper Canyon to the Sea of Cortez rides. With the opening of a new gold mine, the Sierra Tarahumara is now connected to the fertile coastal state of Sinaloa by means of a new dirt road. This will allow visitors to experience the best riding of our two most popular tours. And includes two new days of riding and one new town from any other tour. Great for those 2nd or 3rd time customers.
General Description
Located between what most riders and tourists know as Copper Canyon and the western Sea of Cortez, lies 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
DRZ 400, KLX 400, KTM 450 or any other smaller 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.
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.
For those wishing to air or ground ship your bike, we will help you coordinate arrival in Tucson for both you and your bike.
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 under 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 each individual expeditions itinerary. For example, swollen rivers may delay or significantly alter the tour's route and progress. Although only one evening of camping is planned, tents and provisions are always at the ready for this style of trip. Keep in mind, it is all part of the adventure!
Day 1. Creel
Our first day’s journey takes us across the northern parts of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts to the mountain town of 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 2. Cerro Colorado/Batopilas
One of North America's most famous roads leads us over 90 miles of mountainous terrain. Chiseled from the mountain rock in 1975, it vertically descends a mile and a half via dozens of switchbacks and bends. Following the Batopilas river for another fifteen miles, we cross the river and a number of its tributaries and make a mountainous climb to the famous town of Cerro Colorado. From here we backtrack to the Batopilas river, cross and head on our way to the famous mining town of Batopilas. Arriving in town, history again awaits us as we discover this colonial village nestled between the cliffs. Our hotel is charming, and dinner is served to us as guests in a local family's home.
Day 3. Lago de Huites
Passing to the south we briefly visit the famous "Lost Cathedral" of Satevo. Here a number of routes present themselves. We head steeply into the mountains in an ascent that is seldom experienced anywhere else. The rocky rough-cut road finally crests over the mountains' peak. You scan ahead an endless array of valleys and mountain tops. Eventually descending to almost sea level, cacti and roadrunners become common sights. The dirt road passes by remote ranch houses and sparsely-populated villages. You will likely go all day without seeing another motor vehicle. As the road climbs, you eventually come to an overlook with an expansive view of the Batopilas river valley shortly before it merges with the Rio Fuerte. It is like a scene from the movie "How the West was Won". Soon the river disappears behind mountains and the road intermittently returns to the river basin with many smaller river wash-bed crossings. We come to the Rio Urique and follow it for several miles. We have our first major river crossing, then climb a plateau and eventually come to the Tubares/Sauzal junction. From here we will cross the new bridge that will take us over the enormous Tubares river. Continuing on this newly made road we will eventually come to our destination at the Huites Lake in the State of Sinaloa. Fresh fish will be on the dinner plate tonight as we are staying at a fishing lodge.
Day 4. Alamos
We continue west to El Fuerte and take a desert road to the historic and colonial town of Alamos. Alamos is an old mining town situated in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. Many old haciendas in the area have been turned into fancy homes by wealthy Americans who come down to this charming town.
Day 5. Chinipas
Leaving the flat sandy roads of the Sonoran Desert we begin a lengthy and arduous mountain pass that will bring 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 enter a some what jungle type of terrain where we have seen Macaw type parrots in the area. 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 6. Uruachi
We leave Chinipas via an old road that will take us into one of the remote canyons where few tourist go, the “Choruybo Canyon”. This side of the canyon is new to Rosen’s Riders but we have made good friends in the area allowing us to show what the small town of Uruachi has to offer. Urauchi like many of the towns in the area developed because of mines. The town located in the lower elevations of the canyon has a pleasant climate and is supported by many small ranches that grow some of the tropical fruit know to the area. There has been a new strike of mines outside the area allowing the town to still exist because of the mines.
Day 7. Cerocahui
We leave Uruachi and have a wild climb out but not before forging the Rio Orteros which eventually turns into the Chinipas. We pass thru high mountain Indian Villages in this rugged logging area. We wont see any tourist back here, we are the only ones. Eventually we come into Bahuichivo via the high road but from the north west. Yes, this is a great day and we arrive at the Copper Canyon Moto Lodge for a relaxing night and an optional day tommorow.
Day 8. Cerocahui
Today we will make a day ride to the canyon town of Urique and have lunch. The 9 mile 6,000 foot descend is one of the most talked about days on all of our adventures. Those wanting even more challenging riding will be directed to some of our personal favorite trails outside of the C.C. Moto Lodge. An excellent dirt adventure complete with still one more day to go. We will have an outdoor cook out and talk about our trip which the first days will seem like weeks ago.
Day 9. Gomez Farias
We will head back to Creel on the low road. A very beautiful road that follows the Copper Canyon Railway revealing its tunnels and huge bridges. Just the way to end our last day, this road will have its challenges along with a hand full of stream crossings. Once we arrive to the highway we stop off at the famous Divisadero the stunning overlook into the actual Copper Canyon proper. Arriving in Creel we load bikes up and continue on to Gomez Farias, giving us a head start on tomorrows drive to the border.
Day 10. Agua Prieta
One more hearty breakfast and we make tracks back to the border. This has been and excellent adventure that we will all never forget, some guys tell us it changes lives. We will get to Douglas and say our good bye’s. Congratulations you are now an Ultimate rider.
This Expedition Includes the Following Services:
- Nine nights lodging (double occupancy) at the area's best hotels including all tips.
- Meals - Virtually all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, with tips. They are excellent in quality and where possible, offer menu choices.
- Unscheduled Camping - At any time, should weather and travel conditions not permit us to reach our evening's destination, an evening of camping may be necessary.
- Staff and Truck - A well-equipped, bilingually 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.
- 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 American of Chihuahuan descent. He is a full-time resident in Cerocahui, Urique Canyon and oversees all of the details of our canyon operations. For several years, Justin formerly did custom mechanical work for Evel Knievel. He is an excellent guide and motorcyclist, and specializes in the maintenance and 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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