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Urique Canyon Descent
More like an expedition than a tour, the Urique Canyon Descent includes the Cerro Gallegos tour. Where others return to the lodge, this adventure begins. Leaving Cerro Gallegos, descend an additional 4500 feet through three different biological life zones to the gold-mining pueblo of Urique. Founded in 1690 by a gold prospector from Chinipas, Urique is the county seat of the county (municipio) by the same name. The large mining operations have departed for richer locales but gambusinos still bring small quantities of ore down from the mountains and grind it in small water-powered mills constructed in the River Urique.
A favorite stop is the panoramic overlook at Cerro Gallegos. It is impossible to capture the vastness opening out in front of you. Below can be seen the Urique River drainage and the town of Urique. Many years ago, the road to Urique was kindly described as an axle-breaker. Today it can be traveled in a pickup truck (most of the time). An intermittent bus travels to and from the bottom of the Canyon where limited lodging and restaurant service are available. Summer rains frequently cause landslides (small & large) which can close the road unexpectedly. A few Tarahumara women offer woven baskets for sale at the overlook. Although shy and distrustful of cameras, they will usually allow their photograph to be taken, don't offer them a tip, instead buy something from them and ask to take a photo of them with the item you have purchased. Natives having less contact with tourists are more likely to resent photography. At Cerro Gallegos you can see baskets woven solely from a uniquely long and slender pine needle found nearby. In Urique, there is time to walk around the town and have lunch at the "Plaza", an intimate small restaurant run by our friends José & Virginia Quintana. In the summer months, the shade and the outdoor setting provide a welcome break from the heat of the inner canyon. A cold beer never tasted quite as good as it does now! Five miles upstream from Urique is the community of Guadalupe Coronado - site of the Easter Tarahumara celebration described elsewhere in our site. Downstream lies Guapalayna, the jumping-off point for our cross-canyon treks and pack trips to Batopilas and an excellent place for birding. Price is $71.00 USD per person, two person minimum. |
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de C. V. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
