Copper Canyon
Truly one of the Western Hemisphere’s great scenic and natural wonders, the Copper Canyon region is fast becoming one of Mexico’s most popular soft-adventure attractions while also catering to hard core backpackers, day hikers, mountain bikers and naturalists. The title Copper Canyon has been coined to market and promote the area, however a more proper label is the Sierra Tarahumara, since the Copper Canyon is but one of six massive gorges in the area covering 25,000 square miles. The area is in fact a maze of 200 gorges that combine to form six immense, interconnected canyons that as a whole is four times larger then the Grand Canyon, with some deeper by more than 1,000 feet. The copper term refers to the copper green colored lichen that clings to some of the canyon walls, as the mineral was never mined in great quantity here. Another draw to the area is the culturally rich indigenous Tarahumara people, which number more than 50,000 and live in almost neolithic conditions among the canyons’ harsh surroundings.

A journey to the region would not be complete without traveling the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, which carries riders from sea level to over 7, 920 feet. The journey crosses from the Sea of Cortes port of Topolobampo, through the coastal plains, and up and over the Sierra Madre mountain range before descending into the city of Chihuahua.

Chihuahua City
Chihuahua City is the state of Chihuahua’s second largest city and generally serves as a gateway for visitors in transit to the country’s southern region or west into the Copper Canyon. What most travelers do not realize is that the city showcases some dynamic museums, colonial area vestiges and turn of the century architecture that is worthy of a few days of exploration. Its history dates to Spanish colonial times when it was settled by miners seeking silver in the hills of the Sierra Madre. Today the city spreads out across a valley surrounded by barren desert mesas and is home to a variety of cultural attractions and points of interest.

To get a lay of the land, head to El Mirador de la Once, a butte east of the city’s historic downtown with inspiring city views. While in town, be sure to pay a visit to the Palacio del Gobierno and the Plaza Hidalgo where stories about the famed Mexican independence leader, Father Miguel Hidalgo, can be discovered.