Here's the stop at San Rafael, elevation about 6,700'. (Again, I'm not certain of the town.) This was our first encounter with the Tarahumara indians, ubiquitously selling their baskets.
At Divisadero (elevation about 7,100'), we had our first chance to get off the train, and encountered our first view of the Copper Canyon.
We also had our first opportunity to look closely at the Tarahumaran crafts, and watch the women weave their baskets.
Finally, arriving at Creel (elevation about 7,200') late in the afternoon, we took a bus to the Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon) lodge, where we spent two nights. The hotel is located in a beautiful, quiet valley with not much around it, save for a few Tarahumaran cabins and some grazing animals.
There are about 28 rooms like ours, shown below. We ate our meals in the hotel's dining room.
There's no electricity at Barrancas del Cobre. The only light we had was from kerosene lamps. Heat (when needed) is from potbellied wood-burning stoves in each room.
We had to bring our own tequila and Fresca for margaritas. Okay, so they weren't the greatest, but good luck trying to buy Triple Sec in Creel!
Lots of dogs, here. They particularly appreciated the popcorn we dropped on the ground.
©2001 Doug Kaye