Michael

Batopilas Canyon

We awoke this morning to no electricity and water which made it very hard to take a shower and other such things. Half the town of Creel was without electricity. Eventually the hotel manager was able to get the water pump going which helped immensely. The electricity was still out when we left in four vehicles for our adventure ride down to Batopilas.

The road to Batopilas from Creel is 135 km long or 83.9 miles. 70 km of the road was paved and 65 km were dirt. It took us 5 ½ hours to get there. This canyon road was hair raising. 11 km of the dirt road were being widened which meant detours around large earth moving vehicles on a road about 1 ½ lanes wide hundreds of feet up the side of a canyon. It was very bumpy in parts. The majority of the road was one lane wide which made it interesting when another vehicle approached. The cliffs fell below us several hundred feet to several thousand feet at some points. One slip of the wheel would be terminal. Our driver thankfully was a pro and drives this road twice a week.

What we got in return for this physically numbing ride was some of the most dramatic scenery on the planet. Canyons upon canyons for as far as you can see and then some. Deep ravines filled with massive boulders. Strange shaped rocks poking out of the flora that covered anything that wasn’t bare rock. Even then there were exceptions as we saw a tree literally growing right out of a rock. At one point, where we stopped for a rest and a snack, I swear the cliffs rising from the Urique River approached or exceeded 4000 ft. (1210 m) in height. Stunning nevertheless.

Batopilas Hacienda Ruins

We dropped quickly from 7500 ft. (2286 m) elevation to 1870 ft. (570 m).  The temperature changed from cool and dry to sub tropical. The forest at the higher altitudes consisted of 23 species of oak, 8 species of pine and numerous deciduous shrubs and wildflowers. By the time we got to Batopilas, most of the trees had vanished to be replaced by organ cactus, agave, acacia looking shrub-like trees and other mixed shrubs that could handle the heat and dryness.

Batopilas is a small town of about 700 hundred, but in its day when silver mining was prevalent had over 5000 residents. Now the town supports the many local indigenous people that live scattered all over the canyons, contains a couple of art galleries plus a few hotels and restaurants. Tourism is part of the commerce here but growing illegal drugs like marijuana seems to be the largest enterprise. We were told to stay within certain areas and not venture past. No problemo!

As the evening approached and the sun was setting we explored the ruins of a large hacienda here that was in service during the silver mining days. The ruins were fascinating with the juxtaposition of stonework and overgrown plants covering the grounds. It was peaceful as we walked the ruins while hearing the Urique river flow over the rocky bed below.

A quick dinner was in order as was a shower to clean off the dirt and dust from the ride down. Tomorrow we explore the Lost Cathedral of Satevo and then head back up to Creel; another 135 km, 5 ½ hour ride.

Please view my photos for the day. (18 photos)

Have a great day!

Michael