Backcountry Road Logs

The backcountry of the Copper Canyon region offers challenging, adventurous and sometimes dangerous dirt roads. These roads are not maintained for cars and are frequently not maintained at all. The following logs were prepared on our trips. They should be used as a general guideline only. Obviously, we cannot be responsible for anything in them nor for your doing something stupid and getting into trouble. Nor can we be responsible for you getting into trouble even if you don't do something stupid.

Recommendation: We strongly suggest you include a fluent Spanish speaker on backcountry trips. The Hotel Paraiso del Oso offers experienced backcountry guides who are both bilingual and bicultural and more importantly, are well known, liked, and respected. In the past we have provided guides on an emergency basis to groups in trouble. Plan ahead, especially if you are thinking of bringing in a group. Contact us for guide service; it will enhance your experience and just could save your tail.

Backcountry roads are used by all sorts of vehicles including large truck, military, and fast moving drug runners. Road conditions can change dramatically, especially during heavy rains when river fording should not even be considered. Locals usually drive these roads in 2WD drive pickups, but that does not mean outsiders should!

Lots of outsiders drive ATVs or dual-sport motorcycles on these roads and have no problems even though there is little help available. If you use one of these logs and note an error, please advise us. If you want to help your fellow adventurers and add a new log or new information, please do so. This section also includes a photo report of an ATV run we did from the Oso through Temoris, El Fuerte, Reforma, and back to the Oso, it was quite and adventure.

For a general orientation, you might want to take a look at our satellite images, the high resolution image takes a while to download but shows the roads we have logs for.

If you decide to drive these roads, go prepared and don't forget to have fun!

Road Logs:

     Batopilas to Paraiso del Oso - for the truly adventurous only

     Paraiso del Oso to Temoris - a beautiful route above the narrow canyon where the train runs

     Temoris to Chinipas - more beauty in an area traversed by only one road

     Chinipas to Alamos - significant elevation changes on a twisty road

     Alamos to El Fuerte - a twisty road through the desert

     El Fuerte to La Reforma - from Sinaloa to Chihuahua across the lake

     La Reforma to Cerocahui - several hours through remote small villages, valleys, and high mountains

     Tubares to Choix - the new road put in by the mine at El Sauzal

      P. Oso to Choix - from the hotel south across the Rio Fuerte to Choix and beyond

Webmaster's comments: Both Doug & I have put a lot of effort into creating and compiling this and other area information - it has been a lot of fun. While we offer it freely to fellow travelers, we appreciate receiving news & updates from those who travel these routes as conditions can change quickly. Also, if you are in the Cerocahui area, we always appreciate your business. Stop by, spend a night, share a margarita (or two) and learn about all the details that never quite made it into any written descriptions. It's a wonderful place - enjoy!

All material is copyright 2000-2009 by Barranca de Urique, S.A. de C. V. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
 Rancho del Oso,  P. O.  Box 31089,  El Paso,  TX,  79931
 For inquiries & reservations please e-mail:
Our U.S. representative is  Nichols Expeditions
1-800-648-8488 or 1-425-259-3999, email info@nichols expeditions.com
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 En México, tel. a (614) 421-3372 (Chihuahua, Chih.)
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 Updated 11/03/2009