Up early and on the train to begin a northward journey. We were to travel over terrain which was blanketed in
darkness on our trip south.
Crossing a river - the mountains come right to the edge as the river
continues to carve the rock.
Fall colors dot the pine tree forest, here a quick glimpse as the train passes some Cottonwood trees.
Very high waterfall out of the mountains.
High above the bridge we just crossed. The train winds up the canyon for three levels wrapping back on itself.
Interesting rock formation along the rail line.
House all decked out for...?
Trees growing in front, in between, and on top of the rocks.
Arrived at Copper Canyon and the awesome view for the second time.
At the foot of this cliff you can
make out the dwellings of the Tarahumara. This little settlement was a short walk from the hotel, actually this
photograph was taken from the hotel balcony.
We hiked to the settlement and then went past the houses
into the forest under the rim for about a 45-minute hike.
Tarahumara Indians on the canyon edge - from the village above.
The Tarahumara people live in caves,
adobe huts, and log cabins. During the winter they live in warm caves throughout the canyon. In the summer months
they live on the high plateaus where they cultivate their fields
Their diet is principally corn and
beans. Their isolation from modern civilization has helped preserve their unique culture and way of life.
Rivers born in the high pine forests have carved a 10,000 mile maze of spectacular steep-walled gorges into the
volcanic rock of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range. The canyon rim is surrounded by pine-oak woodland.
For an actual sized picture click on the picture.
This is the 'Barranca del Cobre' canyon along one section of the Urique River, the name has come to be associated
with the entire canyon system of the Sierra Tarahumara that comprises more than 20 canyons of which 5 are longer
and deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Millions of years ago volcanoes deposited their ash to form massive
plateaus from the mountains of the region. Later volcanic activity created gaping cracks eroded by rain
and subterranean water resulting in a wild, divided land that is among the most rugged in North America. Within
this extensive canyon system, rivers are rendered unnavigable by great boulder fields and some of the highest
waterfalls in the world.
Perched at the canyon edge is the Posada Barrancas Mirador Hotel, near the highest point of the canyon. Every
room overlooks the Copper Canyon.