Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

This is the first glimpse of the Tarahumara  home we went to visit.  You can see just how remote it is.  There are no roads here, they live deep in the canyon.  The only way out is by mule or horseback.  Visiting this family definitely was one of the highlights of our trip into the canyon.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Isn't this cactus tree something else!  It was taller than Cindy when she was sitting up on her horse...amazing.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Home for a Tarahumara family.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Our guide in the 'front yard' as we arrive.  The house is built with adobe bricks and a split shingle roof.

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

When we arrived, the mother set out all of her hand made wares for us to look over and hopefully buy.  These included baskets, necklaces & bracelets and some small wood carved items.  The bright, colorful skirt and blouse are traditional dress for the Tarahumara women.  They are almost always seen with their kerchiefs as well.  We could not resist buying a small hand woven basket, they were just beautiful!
 

Basket from Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Our guide was admiring the homemade handle of an ax.  He did not buy one then, however, he must have struck a deal with the man of the house.  On our way back out of the canyon, we were met by the father, who brought our guide his newly made ax handle.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

This is the inside of their home.  The family had a teenage boy, and two young girls.  They were just adorable!  We really wanted to give them 'something', however, we did not have much with us.  We only brought a few snacks and lunch so we gave each of the family members an Atkin's Bar!  What a hoot, when was the last time they would have had one of those!  :)  They all loved them, even the parents, and they ate them right up.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

If you look carefully, you can see their home way down in the valley.  We left and headed up the other side of the mountain.  We were pleased to note that we were up and down and all over the place going in and out of the canyons.  It made the trip very challenging and fun.  The canyon that you see here is really just one of many that lead towards Copper Canyon itself and the Rio Urique at the bottom.  When we reach the viewpoint, our destination for the day, you'll see just how huge the canyon really is.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Way off in the distance you'll see the viewpoint that we are headed towards.  We'll take a break there and hang out for a while before heading back.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Ah, our destination...  With the horses resting in the shade, we all enjoy the vistas and go for a short hike around the perimeter of the mesa shown in the previous photo.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

More and more cacti are in bloom now.  They are so gorgeous, look at that yellow!
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Our wonderful, very elderly guide, took us on a bit of a hiking tour.  He was a real sweetheart and we really enjoyed his company.  It is amazing how we can communicate with people who know so little English, while we know so little Spanish.  Somehow, it always works out.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

STUNNING!!!  The Rio Urique is way down in the Canyon, that gives you a bit of an idea of how high we were...  We had descended sooo far into the canyon, yet it is still so much deeper.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

While our guide rested in the shade of a large rock, he allowed us to continue along the rise to yet another beautiful view point.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

This was Cindy's beautiful, gentle, trusty stead.  She really bonded with this wonderful animal, who insisted on being in the lead, regardless of whether it was safe to pass on the trail or not.  He would become very indignant if he was not allowed to pass Barry's mule.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

And this was Barry strong, loyal and capable mule.  Who also insisted on being in the lead.  It was hilarious giving each of them their turn.  However, for safety reasons, usually we let Cindy's horse take the lead and Barry showed his mule who was the boss :)
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Isn't this a neat picture...after three hours or so on a horse, in the heat of the day, we were all glad to sit in the shade of this shelter.  We shared some dried fruit and we all had some water.  Then, we just sat quietly taking it all in.  Our guide said "Tranquil" and we understood perfectly what he meant.  It was a really special moment.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Ok, we're on our way back now!  At one point Barry's mule took the low road, and Cindy's horse took the high road.  This picture, when rotated so that the trees in the background were upright, show just how steep it was sometimes.  Cindy is literally lying right back on the horse.  It was so steep, it took every bit of your strength to hold yourself in the saddle.  The horses were just amazing and for the most part did not lose their footing.

Our guide was wonderful.  He did not take the lead on the trail, he always followed us and just pointed which way to go.  It madethe ride much more exciting for us to take turns leading the way into this magnificent canyon.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

The ridge that you see at the top of this photo is where we are headed.  It was really amazing to look way up there and realize that is where we had traveled from.  And by this time, as we were getting a little saddle sore, it looked like a long way to get back up there!
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Adobe walls, earth roof... returning now to their natural states.
 

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Copper Canyon Horseback Tour, Mexico

Oh my gosh, you cannot imagine how good it felt to see Areponapuchi again!  We could hardly walk when we got off our horses. 
 

Areponapuchi, Chihuahua, Mexico

However, we forced ourselves to go for a walk as soon as we got back, so that we would not be as stiff and sore the next day.   Along the road was a Tarahumara man with his mules.  He probably came in from the canyon to the small town for supplies.  It was a wonderful sight to see...
 

Areponapuchi, Chihuahua, Mexico

Ahhhh life is good.  We are back in our room.  It is nice and cool outside, as we are way up in the mountains.  We have a nice fire going and it is happy hour.... We are tired but so exhilarated from our incredible day...
 

Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico

When we left the Diaz family, we asked if they could drive us the short distance to Divisadero, another small town just north of Areponapuchi.  We wanted to see this magnificent overlook and more of the crafts made by the Tarahumara.  As you can see from this view, we are sure glad we made this short side trip.
 

Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico

We did this panoramic photo, which is three photos put together, to give you a sense of the size of this magnificent view.
 

Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico

There were Tarahumara people set up all over the train station, selling their wares and food. 
 

Divisadero, Chihuahua, Mexico

Train back to El Fuerte, Mexico

Tarahumara women and children in their brightly coloured traditional outfits.
 

Train back to El Fuerte, Mexico

Train back to El Fuerte, Mexico

It is with mixed feelings that we return to El Fuerte and end our Copper Canyon tour.  It was a trip of a lifetime, and we enjoyed it even more than we thought we would.  We packed so much into just a few short days.  However, we are excited to go home and to see our sweet Tiki.
 

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