Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings

Membership

Just to clarify the membership situation. Currently there is no requirement to be a member to access the web site, the HUBB or to receive the monthly e-zine. For now, what you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive.

One benefit we can provide now is that if you decide you want a t-shirt, mug, fleece jacket or other Horizons logo product from the Souk, you can purchase Member logo products at the basic price. Just let us know and we can arrange access to the Members Private Store.

T-Shirt Deal

Those of you who have checked out the store know this is a terrific deal! These t-shirts are not through CafePress, we will be having them made locally at a better price, but similar very good quality. We will have a range of sizes available, but quantities will be limited, so if you wait till the day, there might be none left in your size.

You can help!

If you have a few minutes, please download the poster (Adobe pdf format) and print off a few and hand them round your club or your local bike shop or anywhere seems like a good place.

(You may need to right click and choose "save target as...")

2005 Poster in pdf format (884kb) full colour, in English.

Thanks for the help!

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The Meeting Location for 2005

Creel, Copper Canyon, Mexico

Details at the Official Campground section below

La sierra, Copper Canyon, photo by the Ibarra brothers

Getting There:

Some travellers will be meeting on the USA side of the border and riding down in a group. See the HUBB for details.

From 2003:

If you'd like someone to ride down and cross the US/Mexico border with, see the thread here on the HUBB.

Note - plan on being at the campground/restaurant for dinner by 6pm at latest! Lots happening in the evening.

From Patrick Moriarty, City Bike, San Francisco, USA

"I spoke with Grant at the HU meeting in Revelstoke, B.C. and he asked if I might outline a few ride routes to the next HU get together in Copper Canyon, Mexico.

Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre) Ride Routes

The best route to Copper Canyon depends on where you're coming from and how much time you want to take coming and going. On our ride we were coming from California so a western approach seemed logical. No one I could find back in 1998 had ever done or heard about a western approach to the area. But the roads are there, so this is what we did.

Being old dirt riders we decided to go down Baja and re-visit some old friends, and some of our favourite areas. We spent about 3 days in Baja then hopped the ferry from Santa Rosalia to Guaymas. (Santa Rosalia Ferry info here) I don't know current prices, but in '98 we paid about $60 for a private cabin and a bike. I'm sure things have gone up. It's about a six or seven hour crossing. You can just book a seat, much cheaper.

In Guaymas we headed south about 60 miles on Mex. 15 to Ciudad Obregon. Here you take Mexico 12 east. Look for signs for Yecora, La Junta, Yepachic and Mex. 16. Signs come and go in Mexico but there is really only one road here. Go for about 60 miles till the intersection with Mex. 16. Continue on 16 almost to La Junta junction, turn right towards Creel on Mex. 127. If you're in more of a hurry you can skip Baja and zap interstates on the US side down to Nogales via I-10. At Nogales you pick up Mex. 15 and go all the way to Hermosillo where you head southeast on Mex. 16 all the way to Creel (see above). This route is a day's ride from the border if you're not shy about wasting "valuable resources".

Both Mex. 12 and 16 are good twisty two laners that climb through mountains and take you from the desert to Alpine forests. A great ride up.

Creel is at 8,000 ft. (about 2600 meters) and you start at sea level. You will be in the Sierra so weather is highly unpredictable, but October should be quite nice. (famous last words) For those coming to the Canyon from more southern or eastern approaches it is a pretty short and straight shot from either El Paso or Presidio, Texas to Creel on main Mexican highways.

From El Paso take Mex. 45 south to Chihuahua to Mex. 16 west to the 127 turn off for Creel.

From Presidio take Mex. 16 all the way to the 127 turn off.

Please consult a good map of Mexico to confirm these routes. I am using the maps in the Moon Travel guidebook called Northern Mexico Handbook (including the Copper Canyon) by Joe Cummings. It's a very good guidebook for the area with a useful supplement on the Canyon. Highly Recommended. Also note there may be a number of new roads in and around the Copper Canyon that show as dirt on maps but may now be paved. When I was in CC in 1998 we had breakfast with the head of the state highway division and he outlined a plan for development on the roads that would blow your mind. Luckily in Mexico what is planned rarely becomes a reality. (something about funding?)

For those off road guys, you may be able to ride a dirt road from Copper Canyon to Alamos on the Pacific coast. I know folks who have done it, but the road is sparsely maintained and may be subject to wash outs. This is supposed to be a hoot to do. You follow the road from Divisadero west parallel to the railroad. Somewhere around the aldea of Temoris Viejo you turn off toward Chinipas and head west to Alamos.

Remember, current, well informed local knowledge is always best so check and double check possible routes when you're in the area. At this point CC is so inundated with MOTO-tourists I should think someone from the many guided tours will have up to date info. Then again, they may seek revenge on independent travellers! ;-) City Bike, San Francisco, CA"

From a post by Ian Elseley on the HUBB,

RE: "...dirt road from Copper Canyon to Alamos on the Pacific coast..."

"I rode a good deal of this road recently with a loaded KLR and 80-20 street bias tires and it's really in pretty good condition. The loggers keep it pretty much open. The only problem you're likely to hit is if it rains the rivers fill fast and the rock stretches get (very) slippery. As for it being a hoot... yea... it is."

From Walter Hirales, Mexico,

"For information about the ferry boat from Guaymas to Santa Rosalia visit here or Santa Rosalia Ferry info here.

Maps

Map of the Copper Canyon area.

click for a larger version of this map of the Copper Canyon. Creel is about dead center.

Sierra Tarahumara & Copper Canyon Folding map source

Chihuahua Bureau of Tourism directions to the Copper Canyon.

Crossing the border, paperwork details, information:

Basic Spanish words with pronunciation - excellent for the complete beginner!

Mexico Border crossing basics.

All you need to know to cross the border from Bajabound.
"Driving Regulations and Information in Mexico," by Mexico Online.

Chihuahua Bureau of Tourism page on the Copper Canyon (very informative)

General Information, Insurance, Legal and Medical Services.

Information on getting a temporary permit to import your vehicle into Mexico.

if you have any links or details for the area please let us know.

Official Horizons Unlimited Campground :)

Be sure to mention the "Horizons Unlimited Meeting" when making reservations to get the special rate.

Make reservations directly with the "Hotel Villa Mexicana" for camping space, (it's a KOA Campground) hot showers, rest rooms, and other facilities, as well as fully equipped cabins for 2 -6 people. The slide shows etc will be at the hotel, 50 yards/meters from the camping area.

Hotel Villa Mexicana - Creel
Free phone: 1-888-610-2095
Phone: 011+52 (635)-4560665
& Fax: 011+52 (635)-4560666

We have arranged a great deal with the Hotel Villa Mexicana for 2005. Camping will be only US$5.00, cabins

are $60.00 double occupancy, $55.00 single occupancy, $25.00 (for third, fourth, fifth and sixth person on 6 people cabins) all plus taxes per cabin per night.

Breakfast will be $5.00, and buffet dinners Wednesday and Thursday nights only US$7.00.

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Other Accommodation Possibilities:

Note: The venue for buffet dinners and slideshows Wednesday and Thursday nights will be the same place, Hotel Villa Mexicana, and all events will be based from there.

Other Accommodation Possibilities

Other accommodation options here.

Information about the area

Attractions include:

(courtesy of the Chihuahua Bureau of Tourism)

Riding the Rails

"One of the most spectacular trips you can take in Mexico, is to see the canyons by train on the Chihuahua al Pacifico. The views will leave lasting memories. Although riding west to east provides the most daylight views, either way you travel, you'll be happy you did. First class cars, food and drinks are available. Train stops in some areas may also offer the chance to buy some local food, crafts or take in a canyon view. For more details, click here."

Basaseachic Falls

"This incredible waterfall in Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachic is breathtaking. It is Mexico's second highest waterfall and can be viewed from the top of the canyon at maintained viewpoints. Guided hiking treks to the bottom are possible for a different view. For more details, click here."

Semana Santa Festivals

"This Tarahumara festival is the held during Easter Week, and gives the visitor a chance to see some of the elaborate costumes, and traditional dances of these indigenous people. For more details, click here ."

Creel

"Creel is known as the "Gateway to the Copper Canyon". And it is a popular starting point for exploring the canyons. The town has the feeling of a late 19th century logging town and is set high - 2,340 meters (7,669 feet) - in the mountains in a valley surrounded by pine forest. As the canyon's largest town (pop. 6,500), Creel offers lodgings, tours & guides, restaurants, stores, a bank, and the main train station in the canyon. Many visitors will stock up on supplies and information here before their trek through these magnificent canyons.

The town is located 250 kilometers (150 miles) from Chihuahua City and takes about 3-4 hours driving time. You can also take the Chihuahua al Pacifico train from either Los Mochis or Chihuahua. Bus service is also available from Chihuahua.

In Creel, it's worthwhile to visit the local Casa del Artesano Indigena (House of Indigenous Handicrafts) run by the state, and the Artesanías Misíon (Mission Store) run by Father Luis Verplancken with all proceeds going to a local indigenous hospital. Both places offer fine Tarahumara crafts, and you can also find them in local shops along Ave. Lopez Mateos, Creel's main street.

Creel offers clean, but rustic hotels & lodges, guesthouses and camping. You'll also find a small variety of restaurants. Rentals of mountain bikes, hiking equipment, and even horses are available. Creel has a great number of natural attractions nearby and is an eco-tourist's dream location.

Only a few miles away you can experience the Lake Arareko region with it's mountain lake and strange rock formations. Local Tarahumara communities including San Ignacio de Arareko and Cusárare can easily be reached from Creel. Another interesting area is La Cueva de los Leones (Cave of the Lions) with it's many caves in a small valley and rustic lodging. Local tours and guides are available in town."

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Local Hosts

Gerardo Ibarra and many others! Thanks guys!

If you have any questions about the location, Gerardo can be contacted here:

Contact Grant for the rest!

Short History:

More details on HU Traveller's meetings history here on the meetings home page.

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