We set out from Guachochi towards Sinforosa Canyon on foot. We cover the 20 odd kilometres in a few hours with the help of a couple of lifts from locals in the back of pickup trucks.
We arrive at the canyon lookout late in the afternoon and check out the scene.
The lookout affords a good view of the trail we will follow to the bottom of the canyon.
We hike down to a suspension bridge that marks the end of vehicle roads and camp for the night in a structure that was clearly built with a bigger tourist population in mind than is evident. We see no-one.
In the morning we set off, in earnest.
Missing planks make the suspension bridge slightly disconcerting.
Jason tackles it rather nervously ...
...followed by Jeff.
Our walk starts out in pine forest - over half the world's pine species are found in the Copper Canyon area.
But soon we start to descend into a magic realm of rivers, waterfalls, cactus and succulents.
Clear, cold water runs over smooth rock...
...collecting in freezing cold pools.
We head along an exposed walking trail that forms part of the route of an annual 100 kilometre marathon run.
I'd prefer to take it at a more sedate pace, myself. (Photo: Jeff Volk)
Plants cling to sheer rock walls...
...or squeeze themselves into the smallest of gaps...
A venerable fig tree wrapping itself lovingly around a boulder.
Days are short in the canyon but it is far warmer here than up above. Snow is predicted to fall in Guachochi over the next few days and clouds whizz by overhead.
We set up camp while we are still descending a side canyon.
We bed down, without the benefit of a tent, with the local wildlife.
I wake with nothing much but the sky above me...
...surrounded by towering rock walls.
Breakfast over the embers of last night's campfire...
...while the sewing project continues.
Once we get underway and continue walking more...
...and more intriguing vegetation appears...
...along with the odd sleepy cow.
The stream offers the unexpected gift of fresh water cress...
...which we harvest enthusiastically...
...before continuing through the tangled cactus.
Cactus and tree, intertwined.
We finally reach the main canyon...
...where we meet a group of four locals, fishing.
They are the first people we have seen in a couple of days.
We walk down river, crossing the tributary stream we have been following. The stream crossing results in a bit of impromptu bridge building...
...and as dusk falls and storm clouds gather, we ford the main river to reach a beach with some sheltering rocks on the other side where we set up camp.
The campfire...
...attracts some strange visitors.
Another day starts slowly...
...which we use to explore up river. (Photo: Jeff Volk)
We harvest some prickly pears to supplement our food supply with yet more wildfood.
The terrain is quite rough and contains various hazards...
... I end up in the water four times; twice by choice - and twice by accident. The water is icy and it's a cool day so by the time I return to camp at dark, in wet clothes, I am frozen to the bone. (Photo: Jeff Volk)
We start another day relaxing in the sun at our beach camp...
...before setting off down river to find our way back out of the canyon. We pass the ruins of homesteads...
...and even more terrifying suspension bridges - which thankfully we don't have to cross...
...before we finally, and somewhat reluctantly, climb back out of the canyon and back to the lookout at the top. (Photo: Jeff Volk)
{ 2 } Comments
both online again – safe travels and happy chinese new year. Year of the Tiger!
hey, wonderful, wonderful!
And inspiring. I am still teetering on the edge of freeing myself from job and mortgage… perhaps I will join you…
Happy travels
Kat
PS love the pink socks :)
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