Copper Canyon October 2019

[Scrabblebiker]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to head to Copper Canyon, Chihuahua, Mexico in October.

I will only have 3 weeks off and was wondering how realistic that trip would be given that I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

I'm thinking of taking 4 or 5 days to get to the Mexican border (maybe even a bit further) and 4 or 5 days to get home at the end. That would leave me with 11 to 13 days of exploring.

So. Given the timeline is it realistic to try and include Baja? and cross from La Paz?

Also, I'm finding a lot of conflicting and confusing information on routes within the Canyon area. Is there a reasonably good route from Choix to either Batopilas or Urique without having to go around via Creel? I'll be on a 650 GS fully loaded, with very good tires but by myself.

Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas would be greatly welcome.

Thanks

[markharf]

You can definitely do it if that's what you want, but I'd suggest prioritizing either the Copper Canyons or Baja; that way if you get caught up and run out of time, you'll have done whatever is most important to you.

4 days steady riding (3 if determined, 2 if thoroughly masochistic AND determined) to San Diego or Tuscon from Vancouver. Of course, you could spend your entire 3 weeks on that stretch--coast, mountains, deserts.... Another couple of days to the canyons, moving more slowly. That accounts for half of your vacation getting there and back. The rest is for optional activities.

If you really wanted to keep moving it would even be possible to spend a bit of time in the canyons, then drop down to Durango and ride the old road to Mazatlán--a real delight. North to the boat to La Paz, then head for the border. But that's pretty frenetic, especially if you've never been.

Motorcycle travel is perfectly suited to retirement (or inherited wealth), not so much steady jobs with limited vacation time. Hope you're doing well and enjoying whatever comes your way!

Mark

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Victoria BC to Nogales border point is only about 2700km so figure it as a three day ride and then you are in Mexico touring mode so another 2 days to get to Creel which puts you smack into the CC .

Have you been to the Copper Canyon region before to have developed a preference for not going through Creel ? You could go through Alamos to get into the CC by way of Chinipas with some semi tough gravel roading and no wet feet from river fording ( all bridges ) .
.Creel is sort of CC Central with paved connections to a lot of neat scenery and access to various gravel roads into the back corners .Mex 23 south out of Creel gets you paved access to Batopilas (ida y vuelta ) and then onward to Hidalgo del Parral and south to Durango with optional different roads , muy escenico .
On a 650GS "fully loaded" and on street tires traveling alone you would be wise to restrict yourself to those paved roads and the certified maintained gravel connectors .
.
I also agree with Mark that you pick either Creel or Baja and devote your thirteen days to give your choice a proper and thorough going over at a relaxing pace .
Do the CC stuff in a loop ,clockwise would be better . That way you can do the CC and factor in the ride south to Durango -Mazatlan and north along Mex 15 back to the border . Shipping over to Baja would take up a day or two of your scheduling to hit the ferry , then it would just be a race north to the border .

[Scrabblebiker]

Thank you Mark and Sjoerd.

I've been to the Copper Canyon area before (Creel) but never made it down into the canyons themselves. That was in 2010 before the road to Batopilas was paved. During that same trip I headed south to Hidalgo Del Parral, Durango and Mazatlan via the Espinazo Del Diablo (and on to Panama and back).They were just in the process of building the new highway then. It was one of my most memorable rides ever. I will most likely not head further south than the Canyons on this trip.

I will be equipped with Heidenau K-60 tires (love 'em!) and I'm not worried about gravel/dirt but draw the line at anything too technical like extensive mud, boulders, steep loose shale and sand unless it's only occasional short sections.

Thank you both for the good input.

[fastfreddy]

MEET UP ON MAINLAND. Riding a 2006 r1200 gsa mostly paved roads. Speak decent spanish. Heading to south of Mexico quite quickly. May stay off the coast, just cut across to save time.May be in Veracruz, Canun, Belize or Guatemala within 2 weeks (on or before OCT 29.) Looking to meet up along the way WITH OTHER RIDERS GOING SOUTH. Can be reached on mexican cell whattsapp 612 176 52 7seven.

[Scrabblebiker]

Originally Posted by fastfreddy

MEET UP ON MAINLAND. Riding a 2006 r1200 gsa mostly paved roads. Speak decent spanish. Heading to south of Mexico quite quickly. May stay off the coast, just cut across to save time.May be in Veracruz, Canun, Belize or Guatemala within 2 weeks (on or before OCT 29.) Looking to meet up along the way WITH OTHER RIDERS GOING SOUTH. Can be reached on mexican cell whattsapp 612 176 52 7seven.

Now that would have been perfect timing if it weren't for my bike developing age related illnesses and my trip being cancelled.


Have a blast on your trip. It sounds like you're on a mission to get down there quickly. Southern Mexico, especially Oaxaca and Chiapas is amazing.


...Michelle

[ig2gheom]

Plan to enter Mexico at Eagle Pass Texas in a few days and heading to Mazatlan for couple weeks of Language school and then continue south.

Riding paved roads mostly on Kawasaki 650 Versys with no set route nor timetable — would like to ride with others when and where possible.

Any interested parties please call U.S. cell and WhatsApp number 540-836-8015.
George.

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Fred and ig , don’t sweat it you do not manage to connect with some other rider going in your direction.
Fred in particular will have difficulty in that respect , you seem to be on a race time scheme - not recommended for pleasure touring of Mexico or attracting possible companion riders..
Ig going it alone is not a problem on any of the highways you may choose to get to Mazatlan . If going solo you will be free to travel at your own pace and stop quickly ,and often !, to take in the views for as long as you wish .
The Espinazo was in EXCELLENT condition last week( October 2019) and nearly completely void of transport trucks and very little other traffic . There were occasional small rockfalls as a result of tropical storm Narda but nothing to cause concern- just keep the eyes peeled and ride around any rubble bits .

[fastfreddy]

How long should I take to get to Guatemala?

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Not really a “ should” but at a comfortable pace crossing Mexico to the La Mesilla border crossing Can be done in 6 or 7 days.
A fanatic rider might manage it in three . Don’t be the fanatic see Mexico and take a lot more time