Copper Canyon is actually a group of six adjoining canyons covering 25,000 square miles located in the Sierra Madre mountians. It is over 6,000 feet deep in some places. Its name comes from the copper/green color of the canyon walls. Climate conditions vary greatly in the canyon. At the canyon bottom it is warm and humid all year long while at the top there might be snow. It is the home of the the Tarahumara Indigenous people, also known as the “Raramuri” (means runners on foot or those who run fast), famed long distance runners. There are estimated to be 50-70,000 Tarahumara people living in the canyon area.
Welcoming dawn!
Barry Flynn took this picture and shared it with me. A great shot!
Morning sun in the canyon.
A tree similar to the madrona trees that grow in our area.
The dining room had family style tables but there was an area reserved for our group.
Excellent buffet with machaca( dried beef) and blue corn tortillas.
The deck off the hotel lobby where we often gather.
Tarahumara Indian painting in lobby.
At work making baskets early in the morning.
Where we are headed this morning.
Today’s agenda finds us exploring the canyon area near our hotel, highlighted by taking the cable car down into the canyon. The cable car is actually part of an attraction called Adventure Park where, beside the cable car, there is a zip line (one of longest in the world),  a via ferrata course (rock climbing), concert stage, aerial walkway, climbing wall, miniature golf, hiking/cycling trails, and even a restaurant overlooking the canyon. Oh, there are also multiple shopping opportunities!
Group picture at a canyon viewpoint.
The canyon in early morning.
Multiple opportunities for “fun” at the park.
Venue for concerts.
Family here for a day of fun. People living in the canyon valleys can use the cable car for free to get to the nearby towns.
Local version of a Big Mac??
The cable car here at Copper Canyon.
The cable car upper boarding station. Normally cable cars go up, this one goes down.
Waiting for our ride.
Picture showing a cable car and lower landing station.
Our ride arrives.
Heading down into the canyon.
I knew we were going to ride the cable car but I also considered doing the zip line UNTIL I heard it reached speeds of 68 mph as it traverses its 2,545 meter (8,350 ft) length, and then you had a 800 meter uphill climb to get to the cable car which is the only way back. With age comes wisdom!
Thanks, but no thanks!
Crazy zipline rider!
The uphill path from the end of the zipline back to the cable car,
marked by painted rocks
We spent about 30 minutes at the lower cable car station where there was ample opportunity to take pictures, shop at multiple vendor stands for locally made art/crafts and even listen to a local musician playing a guitar.
The view as we descend into the canyon.
Looking back at our hotel as we descend into the canyon.
Nearing the half way point-where the two cable cars meet, going in opposite directions.
Small farms in the valley of the canyon.
Scenery as we head down into the canyon.
Scenery viewed from the lower cable station.
Shopping area at the lower cable station.
A unique rock formation at the lower station.
More craft booths. Some people also sell minerals/rocks from the area.
High tech (solar) meets low tech crafts.
I watched this lady weave a basket and then I bought one from her.
Children playing while their parents sell crafts.
A local musician entertains people waiting for the cable car.
The famous Raramuri running shoes.
Returning to the upper station we gathered for a group lunch in the restaurant before returning to the hotel for the rest of the afternoon for more relaxation. For the more adventurous there were a series of local hikes in the area. We chose relaxation! Â There was another set group dinner at the hotel that evening.
Lunch overlooking the canyon.
Lunch were sopes on blue corn shells.
Negotiations with this young boy.
Sue Bishop made this “cheat sheet” for peso conversion. Vendors readily accepted US dollars.
We are a long way from a lot of places!
It was cool enough to warrant wearing a shawl.
Where tequila comes from.
This “cutie” was about 2 years old!
Apples and crafts for sale. Last chance before we board our van.
Small home located in the canyon below our hotel.
Picture at 5PM
Same picture at 5:30 PM
Walkway from our rooms to the hotel lobby.
Old mining cars on display.
Still making those popular baskets!
They color the reeds used in the baskets using natural coloring.
Watching sunset from the crowded hotel patio.
The setting sun reflecting on canyon walls.
They know how to make memorable margaritas in Mexico.
Hotel patio was packed for sunset. It was a cool evening and coats were needed.
A local family sitting at the edge of the canyon during sunset.
Liquor was inexpensive, by Seattle standards. Margarita was $9.31.
Gerry, an accomplished musician, testing a local guitar.
Steak!
Tomorrow we are to take the first of two train rides through the Copper Canyon region.
