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Cerro Gallegos
No visit to the Oso is complete without this wide-ranging introduction to Cerocahui and the Urique Canyon. Leaving the Oso you follow the tree-shaded Arroyo del Cerocahui on a gravel road. Soon you pass through the tunnel built by the famous Jesuit Priest, Andres Lara. At the picturesque mountain town of Cerocahui, you learn the fascinating history of the most beautiful church in the mountain region. You discover why it contains a stained glass window with a Chinese theme.
The Church was restored by the energetic Father Lara almost 50 years ago, his remains now rest in a corner of the baptisterio. You will have time for shopping and visiting in the quaint town plaza before continuing onto the Tarahumara Indian Girls boarding school. Providing an important educational service to the region, this Catholic school houses 60 girls and takes care of about 100 additional day students of both sexes. Leaving Cerocahui, your tour stops briefly at a spectacular viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the peaceful Cerocahui valley. After snapping photos, it is back into your vehicle as you continue your climb through dense mountain forests past La Mesa de Arturo at 7700 feet La Mesa was named for Auturo Gutierrez, grandfather of Ana Maria Chavez, co-owner of the Oso.
A dramatic mountain overlook shows the tremendous vastness of the Sierra Madre. The Rocky Mountains of the United States are an extension of this mountain chain. The Sohowachi Canyon overlook awes by its majesty and immensity but it is only a side canyon. A stop at La Cueva provides your first view into the Urique Canyon. Over a mile deep, it is known as the Barranca del Cobre or Copper Canyon farther upstream. The cave was once a dwelling for a Tarahumara family that now uses it as a basket store. Military Macaws are frequently heard from this viewpoint. Continuing along the Canyon rim, hikers may leave the vehicle for a 30-minute downhill hike. The hike follows Indian trails and sections of El Camino Real to rejoin the group at Cerro Gallegos, the singular most beautiful lookout in the entire Copper Canyon region. Round trip is 30 miles, lasting about 4 hours. The trip can be shortened for clients staying only one night and having limited time. A canyon rim picnic may be added for groups giving advance notice. Another option is to return from the overlook to the hotel on foot. The trip to the overlook is followed by a return hike on a predominantly downhill grade that passes through one of the remote villages and occupies the remainder of your day.
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de Urique, S.A. de C. V. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
