Mexico's Magnificent Rail Trip

One of Mexico's most fascinating attractions, long popular with snowbirds, is the train excursion that runs from Chihuahua to the Pacific Ocean through the center of northern Mexico, crossing the Sierra Madre to spectacular Copper Canyon, which is even larger than the Grand Canyon, and is just as pleasing to the eye.

Between Los Mochis and Chihuahua, passengers experience 14 hours (one-way if you travel straight through) of vast scenic wonders of incredibly wild, untouched beauty. Riding trains in Mexico is always an experience, and is often an adventure. Copper Canyon is not a fancy, black tie, afternoon tea journey, but the atmosphere is pure fiesta, and the vistas are spectacular.

From the sea, the rails climb to more than 7,500 feet along 11 -foot-wide ledges, through 86 tunnels and across 37 bridges, sometimes making a complete circle around a mountain. The train passes wild waterfalls cascading down rocky cliffs, winds through mountain pines and past blue lakes and slows to a crawl on tracks carved into solid rock above 1,000-foot deep, sheer-faced canyons.

Several hotels line the train's passage, including those in Cerocahui, a small hamlet. Guests can explore the region on horseback or take a bus tour to Urique, a remote mining town. The canyon is also the heart of the Tarahumara Indians, a hard-working people who seem to be living in a manner little-changed by the centuries. A once-in-a-lifetime journey, Copper Canyon is a timeless visual experience. - R.C.

Copyright T L Enterprises, Inc. Nov 2005
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