Copper Canyon
 

I have done some research but getting a headache and the cheap beer is kicking in.
I am on the Baja atm debating heading over to Guyamas, a town I dislike. Anyways wondering if I should head over to the mainland and do the Copper Canyon. I was thinking of going to Chihuahua and than Los Mochis or I could go Los Mochis to Chihuahua? I could also do this trip on my way back north in a few months. I have road tires so it might be better to get a different set for the trip back north?

copper canyon
 

I loved the ride down to botopilas. That was in April and they were doing rroad construction. IG they've finished it should be fine with road tires but I would get something for the dirt.
North of the canyon is the highest waterfall in mexico. Don't miss that.
Enjoy

I would NOT recommend the Ferry that goes from Santa Rosalia over to Guyamas. That boat is: 1. Very slow, takes over 11 hours or more 2. full of cockroaches with fresh bug spray in the cabins 3. Very expensive (at least it was a few years back) Was more than double of the LaPaz-Topolobambo Ferry.

You are MUCH BETTER off riding down to La Paz and taking the Modern German Ferry over to Topolobambo. Takes 5 hours instead of the 11 hours on the "bad" Ferry. Also cheaper. Once in Topo you have many choices for routes to get yourself into Copper Canyon. Get a good map. You can go via dirt roads or paved roads. All will lead you up to Creel and onto Chihuahua.

For the past couple years major road construction in the area. Check with locals on state of construction and which roads are open. The original road that went from Creel to Batopilas is being redone, but there is another route you can take. You can also approach Batopilas from the West (around Alamos) and get there via dirt roads.

Dozens of threads on this area on ADV Rider. Read up over there or ask someone who's been recently, I've not been since '07.

Having knobbies would be ideal but not required. I rode my Vstrom all around there on two different trips (lots of off road) with street tires. :thumbup1:
http://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/ph...-dqKNW58-L.jpg

Have fun!

Ride the Copper Canyon now and on the way back you can ride Real de Catorce.

Real de Catorce is quite ways EAST of Copper Canyon .. and South. But certainly worth a visit. You can even approach it on remote dirt roads from the West. (good map needed)

I worked in Real for a month years ago, making a film there. Did some blistering Horseback riding on the weekends! doh (wish I had my bike!)

From Real you can head South and hit ALL the historic Silver mining towns along the way. Lots of history.(Potosi, Zacatecas, Leon, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and more) Beautiful area. :D:D:D:D

I hear "The Mexican" was shot there... :D

Yes, but that's not the one I worked on. I worked on "La Flecha" in 1995. This film does not come up on any filmography listings ... so not sure it was ever released ... perhaps under another title? No idea.

I never followed it's progress after shooting finished. It was a super low budget independent, it's likely they ran out of money. The script was terrible so no surprise it was never released as producers may have to decided to cut their losses. Good effort by novice film makers. Great people. Producers/Director from Spain but with Mexican connections.

But I had fun nonetheless. After a month in Real we went back to Mexico City for another month at Chapultapec studios. I should convert my slide film shots to digital and put them up ... I think they are better than the FILM! :rofl:

Past 2 days I rode from Hermosillo to Creel.
Road is nice and twisty.
Do not ride after sunset. I heard from american cyclist that few days ago two americans were robbed somewhere over there, jeep, money, passports, everything taken.

Currently in Creel trying to solve problem of failed alternator bearings.

I wonder how many folks were robbed in the U.S. yesterday. I just came back from a trip to Guatamala. I didn't have any problems. Saw some campiesinos who took over one of the toll plazas on the autopista. Federalies were right there. I really don't understand it but it really didn't affect me.

Copper canyon is beautiful but you can get cold weather/snow this time of year.

A lot of people...
Weather in Creel is really nice. During night time it gets below freezing, but daytime it is t-shirt and shorts :)

I just rode mex 16 (opposite way from you) last week. I did not go to Creel on this trip.

Yes, Creel gets snow and even blizzards! But when Sun is out ... It's NICE! bier Like ALL of the Sierra range, weather is bit unpredictable at higher elevations.

Sorry to hear of the bearing problem! If you can limp over to Cuauhtemoc, you may find better parts stores and shops there. Small city but quite busy with shops and such.

BMW have a dealer in Guadalajara (more for cars than bikes however) ... or you could back track to USA to get parts? If bike is not running you could be in the USA in a day (first class Bus), get parts, head back to repair bike?
Just an idea ... :innocent:

Good luck!
bier

Weather has been amazing over here. Night time it´s freezing, but daytimes amazing, blue sky and really warm.

I got my alternator fixed over here by a local car electrician. They did not have exact bearing, but it seems to be working now.
I think I might order refurbished alternator from US and ask them to ship it somewhere in Mexico (just need to get address where they can ship it).

I will stop by at BMW in Guadalajara, but I do not want to spent over $800 for alternator... :mchappy: