Copper Canyon Pt2. Divisadero, 3 canyons Urique, Tararecua and Cobre. Plus arriving at Hotel Posada Mirador

PHOTO ALBUM/LINK —>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/8R7ch8GxovrvLYBo9

Day 4 Oct. 6th, amazing views of Urique, Tararecua and Cobre canyons

Our Breakfast started at 7am. We usually were at the table soon after. The breakfast was that you had a choice of various buffet items, many of which were Mexican dishes that I think of as dinner items. John liked these meats and vegetables. For me I would rather have my fruit, then go to the area where the egg dishes were served. My usual choice being an omelette, often a spinach, cheese and mushroom one.

After breakfast it was back to the room to ready for check out and close payment of any tabs…. Followed by our tour/van ride to the to the deepest canyon overlook in the system. This tour was to provide the most expansive canyon views on this part of the Copper Canyon.

We had a lovely group in our van, a Mexican family of 3 generations, a couple Tom and his wife Delly, were always with us too.

On this day we drove along the winding, paved and unpaved mountain roads. Looking out at a thousand differing landscapes.

Needless to say the scenery was spectacular. Immerse views, in spectacular mountain valleys, meadows of green, carpets with wild flowers abounding. The scenery and mountain views you would be hard pressed to beat anywhere.

We stopped at the over look and climbed out. We could enjoy the views while walking along and being met further along by the van again.

The views across the canyons were awe inspiring.

I felt like a bird flying above looking down on an amazing view across as far as I could see. The beautiful blue sky, the twisting rivers, the huge cliffs and the amazing rock formations….this area is incredible!

The view is said to be, “one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Mexico and the world” and I would agree.

We were on the rim at 2,240 meters (7,347 feet) where the three canyons are found: Urique, Tararecua and Cobre.

In this place of privileged beauty, we had a walk around the edge of the canyon to enjoy the majestic views. I took my pics but really enjoyed the sense of freedom that the area invoked in me….like a bird soaring high.

Mirador del Cerro Del Gallego

This was our next view point and what an amazing one!

We reached this viewpoint via an unpaved, rugged dirt road more suited to a jeep than a van. This mirador is found at the summit of Cerro del Gallego, and overlooks deep inside the Urique Canyon.

The altitude ranges between approximately 1,900 and 2,200 meters, (6,200 to 7,200 feet) above sea level.

We climbed out and found sweeping, multi-directional panoramas of the canyon, pine forests, the winding Urique River, with the town of Urique deep at the bottom.

This area offered walkways along the canyon edge, a hanging bridge which was very cool and higher platforms to appreciate the view.

And what an incredible view it was!! Just awesome! At the very top I found a small herd of donkeys. They were shy, but did allow a few photos.

We rode the same route back and picked up our bags before heading to our next destination:

Hotel Posada Mirador: “on the Rim of the Canyon”

This was said to be the best hotel in the Copper Canyon area. It was classified as a World Small Luxury Hotel, November 2020. Hotel Mirador has the best location in the canyon system.

Every room has its own balcony overlooking the Copper Canyon. We arrived and walked out to the balcony to see that we were surrounded by the lush beauty of the Copper Canyons.

A walk of discovery

We had a “tour” booked for 3:00pm. It was a walk of 2 kilometer along the canyon edge with a local Raramuri lady. The Raramuri also known as the Tarahumara are one of the largest indigenous groups in northern Mexico. Their name translates to “those who run fast,” “foot runner,” or “those who walk well”

These folks are famous for their long distance running across all mountainous terrain in bare feet or simple sandals – milpas. —often covering 50 to over 100 miles on foot through rugged mountain trails wearing traditional tire-soled sandals.

Our lady was called Micaella, she was quite “shy” or humble, very sweet.

We walked along the cliff top as she pointed out the medicinal bush, local trees and such. We stopped to take photos for the incredible views. And the we headed down a pathway towards a local homestead.

Many Raramuri live in scattered household clusters called ranchos, utilizing log or stone cabins. Others live natural caves, and cliff overhangs, often migrating seasonally between higher canyon rims in summer and warmer canyon bottoms in winter. We were visiting a cliffside/cave dwelling.

The pathway was leading down the side of the canyon to a local home in the cliffs. This is by choice and they have always lived this way.

They practice a semi-nomadic and subsistence agricultural lifestyle, growing corn (maize), beans, and squash (milpas), and raising livestock.

We entered a gate and soon could see a very well organized garden and cliff side dwelling. There was the water catch that came off the cliff above and filled a pool at the bottom. Near it a lady was washing clothes accompanied by an adorable youngster.

The quaint cliffside cottage had other children who were watching us with curiosity. There were peach trees, cactus, corn and other crops growing. Their view was amazing, they could look out across the canyons in every direction.

Next I was faced with the climb to the top. The altitude didn’t help, but with several pauses to catch my breath Micaella led us up to the Mirrador Hotel. It was a real slog!!

Once out on the porch level Micaella demonstrated a short local dance in her milpas – sandals.

Following the dance there was a talk and demonstration/sampling of some local brew, similar to tequila, but made from another plant, a relative of asparagus – Sotol.

“Sotol is a lesser-known delicacy, tucked away in the tough northern Mexico deserts.” Apparently the Indigenous people like the Rarámuri were fermenting sotol plant for ceremonial and medicinal purposes long before Spanish colonists arrived.