The Copper Canyon in northern Mexico is a breathtaking natural wonder that has captivated the imagination of adventurers and explorers for centuries. This immense canyon system, named after the long-abandoned mines that once dotted its landscape, is a marvel of nature, with deep and jagged cuts into the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental.
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The Journey
The journey to the Copper Canyon is an adventure in itself. The train ride up into the high mountains of Mexico’s backbone is a scenic marvel, with the train weaving its way through hairpin bends, crossing bridges high above the ground, and plunging into the darkness of tunnels, only to emerge to offer passengers new vistas of steep-sided valleys. The journey’s scenic rewards pale in comparison with the prize to be found at Drisadero, a railway station more than 7500ft (2300m) up in the mountains.
The view from here down the Barranca del Cobre, or Copper Canyon, is mesmerizing. A vast trench stretches away for some 30 miles (50km), plunging some 4600ft (1400m) to the Urique River that flows far below. Gullies cut deeply into the canyon’s walls, their steep sides meeting at knife-edge ridges. In the distance, waves of ridges and pinnacles ripple away like a petrified sea.
Exploring the Copper Canyon
The Copper Canyon is one of at least 12 huge gorges that gash Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental. At the top of the canyons, the rocky land is often snow-covered in winter, but the steep descent into a canyon takes the visitor through a series of ever-water worlds. The open pine and cedar forest of the higher ground give way to mesquite and acacia trees, and tall branching cacti.
On the floors of the canyons, the scene changes again to one of well-watered, balmy valleys where oranges, bananas, and wild orchids grow. Despite the canyons’ uninviting appearance, they are the home of 70,000 Tarahumara people. Before the arrival of Europeans in the 17th century, the Tarahumara lived in a much larger area, but as the Spaniards encroached on their territory they retreated deeper and deeper into the canyons to retain their way of life.
The Tarahumara People
The Tarahumara people, also known as the Raramuri, which means “running people,” have an astonishing capacity for running, in a land where almost every step they take is either uphill or down. They hold competitions in which teams dribble a wooden ball along a course that can take several days and nights to complete – a feat of endurance that staggers visitors drained by the mere sight of the awesome Copper Canyon.
Our Take
The Copper Canyon is truly a marvel of nature, with its deep and jagged cuts into the mountains of northern Mexico. Its breathtaking beauty and rich cultural history make it a must-visit destination for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Whether you’re exploring its rugged terrain on foot or taking in the stunning views from the train, the Copper Canyon is sure to leave a lasting impression.
