Batopilas to P. Oso

This log covers the back road directly from Batopilas to Cerocahui (without passing Creel). This road should be attempted only in good weather with a high clearance 4WD vehicle. There are no services along the road in case of problem, the ford across the Rio Urique is subject to flooding and should be attempted only during good weather. We do not recommend this road but are providing this information because certain adventurers insist on driving or riding it and have become lost in the past. Driving times have ranged from 6 hours on a motorcycle going like the devil to 14 hours for a group of slow-moving four-wheel-drive trucks. We drove it in 8 hours using a 4WD Dodge pickup, we moved at a moderate speed with a few stops. November 2007 - just learned that a new road is now being used. It turns off the described route, descends to Cuesta Colorado where it crosses the Rio Urique and continues on the road past El Sauzal mine. Anyone traveling this road please send us an update so we can share it with others..

MILE	DESCRIPTION
0.0	Bridge across arroyo Camuchin in Batopilas
0.2	Turn right just before the Rastro Municipal and go steeply uphill winding past various homes
4.1	Road from Satevo enters from the left
5.3	Puerto Batopilas, the high point on the road, off in the distance is the Pueblo of Rodeo deep in the valley
7.3	Rancho Tempisque, just a few homes, no services
8.8	Rancho La Casita, the house on the right sometimes has soft drinks
10.6	Cross Arroyo Cochote
11.7	Cross small arroyo above Rodeo
12.3	El Pueblo of Rodeo, school on the right, small store on the left
14.3	Enter small arroyo, follow it for about a tenth of a mile then climb out on the left
15.1	Rancho Viejo
16.6	Minor intersection, go to left
19.5	Pass small ranchito
19.8	In a large arroyo, the road splits, go straight ahead and climb out of the arroyo on the road less traveled. The road to the left crosses the Rio Batopilas to San Ignacio where there is a small store and a few houses.
23.3	Pass some houses on the right, the Rio Batopilas will be on the left
23.9	San Isidro (check name), go to the right and pass above the school climbing uphill.
30.1	Arrive at the Rio Urique ford after crossing a mountain pass. If there is any doubt on water level, walk the ford before crossing. Shift into 4WD before entering the ford
30.6	Fence line, open the gate and go through, the road to the left just before the gate goes to a small ranchito.
32.0	Another fence, open the gate and pass through. You will soon start climbing a steep road over a pass
33.8	Turn left to go to Casa Colorado and Tubares, site of a well known 17th century mission that attended the Tubar Indians. Although in ruins, the mission is worth visiting. To get there cross the long foot bridge over the Rio Fuerte
34.1	Leaving Casa Colorado take the right leg of the “Y” to get back on the road.
34.8	Arroyo, road may split here and rejoin in a few hundred feet
35.0	Go right at the intersection, a left turn goes to La Misión
35.8	Pass small ranchito of La Placita
37.5 38.0	Both right turns go right to the large gold mine at Sauzal, forecast to have 300 workers by 2004
50.7	Now-defunct lead and zinc mine at Piedras Verdes, worth stopping and taking a look at the famous green rocks.
51.7	Several buildings which were the mine headquarters and workshops
52.0	Pueblo of Piedras Verdes with several small stores, gasoline is often available at the store on the left
55.2 55.3	Right turns enter town of Cieniguita, the road then continues onto Reforma and to the Huites dam where a ferry may be operational to transfer vehicles across the dam to the road continuing to El Fuerte
58.3	Tascatosa, Road to right (over the shoulder) goes to San Pablo(?)
66.0	Pueblo of La Mesa de Arturo
66.2	Go straight, road to right goes to the county seat of Urique in the bottom of the canyon.
73.4	Congratulations! You have reached the Crucero in Cerocahui. Turn right at the “T” intersection to go to the Oso
75.5	Hotel Paraiso del Oso, you’ve earned your hot shower and welcome cocktail

Note: We assume no responsibility for the accuracy of this road log. Anyone using this log is invited to email additions or corrections for incorporation.