Copper Canyon Mexico

[Bashed]

A few of us SOCO enthusists are probably going to go
back down south of the border next spring to Copper
Canyon, Mexico for a week in late March. A slower paced ride compared
to our sportbike blast of Baja last year. Spend a few days
on the beach at Guaymas then head inland to the town of
Creel. Base there for a few days taking it the local scenery
and then head back north to the good 'ol US of A. We will be
using our Dual Purpose bikes, KLR650's, NX650's, DR's and would like
any input from anybody that has gone there and what not to miss.
Also if anybody would be interested in going with our seasoned crew.

Peace Bash

[zetaetatheta]

I'm in!

[GregsGSXR]

Lets go!!!

[GSXRJOHNNY]

Tempting,,,, will need to get a different bike for this trip though...hmmmm...

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Have fun, be safe, and don't drink the water!

[Captain Obvious]

Dude, that sounds like an awesome trip.

What time frame are you thinking? Surely you would wait till spring but not summer yes?

[zetaetatheta]

Dude, that sounds like an awesome trip.

What time frame are you thinking? Surely you would wait till spring but not summer yes?

Late March around the 21st.

[OldKneeDragger]

You have tossed this out before and I think it is a GREAT idea...

My wonderful wife lets me buy exotic sportbikes, old antique cars, crazy electronics, and all other outrageous things. At one time she even let me have my dirt bikes, and there have been many.

Maybe I get crazy, maybe I just have a good time. She however see's me come back with bruises and such every time I go on a dirt bike and has decided no more dirt bikes for me.

I could buck the system and over rule but you know, some times you are wisest when you pick your fights carefully.

I'm getting too old and definitely too fat for the dirt.

So I'm thinking that if you will put up with me, perhaps I'll do the pavement part of the Copper Canyon trip. The roads to Guaymas and Creel are fantastic for street bikes too.

[Bashed]

You have tossed this out before and I think it is a GREAT idea...

My wonderful wife lets me buy exotic sportbikes, old antique cars, crazy electronics, and all other outrageous things. At one time she even let me have my dirt bikes, and there have been many.

Maybe I get crazy, maybe I just have a good time. She however see's me come back with bruises and such every time I go on a dirt bike and has decided no more dirt bikes for me.

I could buck the system and over rule but you know, some times you are wisest when you pick your fights carefully.

I'm getting too old and definitely too fat for the dirt.

So I'm thinking that if you will put up with me, perhaps I'll do the pavement part of the Copper Canyon trip. The roads to Guaymas and Creel are fantastic for street bikes too.

My NX650 might look like a dirt bike but that it all it is, looks.
It, in my opinion is far from a real dirt bike, like my soon to be gone KTM.
It will do maitained gravel roads with ease, but anything more gnarly than that and it starts to protest vigorously. So in that sense it is a "dirt" ride but the only dirt will probably be the road down into the bottom of Copper Canyon. I am choosing the dual purpose bike for the slow down and smell the dead dogs on the side of the road effect. Get in more of the flavor of Mexico than just blasting down the roads with wanton abandon. Don't get me wrong, I really get along with the fast and the quick way, but the wifey is going and I don't want her to feel she has to keep up. Thats no fun for anybody, been there, done that. This way everybody has fun and gets the full south of the border experiance. So bring your wife, ride some roads, meet some new people, and most of all have some fun.

Peace Bash

[Jason ON]

A few of us SOCO enthusists are probably going to go
back down south of the border next spring to Copper
Canyon, Mexico for a week in late March. A slower paced ride compared
to our sportbike blast of Baja last year. Spend a few days
on the beach at Guaymas then head inland to the town of
Creel. Base there for a few days taking it the local scenery
and then head back north to the good 'ol US of A. We will be
using our Dual Purpose bikes, KLR650's, NX650's, DR's and would like
any input from anybody that has gone there and what not to miss.
Also if anybody would be interested in going with our seasoned crew.

Peace Bash

Heck, I'd love to go, but don't have a dual purpose bike. I was however thinking about a different (road) trip through mexico next spring, but I may wait until late April, early Mayish.

[bandido]

I did this trip last year, If you want to spend a couple of days
on the beach go to San Carlos, its only 60 miles from Guaymas
and a nicer resort town.

You can get to Copper two ways, trough Hermosillo Sonora
or south approach from Navojoa Sonora.

From Hermosillo its all paved mountain roads (Tail of the dragon on steroids) It takes two full days to cross the sierra.

From Navojoa its paved till you get to Alamos, Sonora then all dirt.
the train takes 8 hrs, dual sports bike aprox 12 hours hard riding
very remote but can be done without support.


I have pictures and logistics, including Itineraries for both routes if you are
Interested.

Jorge

[bandido]

This information is based on crossing the border in Nogales Arizona.
If you cross in el Paso Texas or Deming New Mexico, is a more
direct route, not fun for Dual Sports.

[MaddMatt]

If I make it through the coming ski season in one piece & still have some $ in the market, I'll definetly be interested; working on a dr650 adv tourer right now.

[Bashed]

I did this trip last year, If you want to spend a couple of days
on the beach go to San Carlos, its only 60 miles from Guaymas
and a nicer resort town.

You can get to Copper two ways, trough Hermosillo Sonora
or south approach from Navojoa Sonora.

From Hermosillo its all paved mountain roads (Tail of the dragon on steroids) It takes two full days to cross the sierra.

From Navojoa its paved till you get to Alamos, Sonora then all dirt.
the train takes 8 hrs, dual sports bike aprox 12 hours hard riding
very remote but can be done without support.


I have pictures and logistics, including Itineraries for both routes if you are
Interested.

Jorge

We will be inserting @ Douglas, Az. The road is very entertaining all the way to Hermosillo. The tip on San Carlos will make my wife very happy.
I was looking @ Kino Nuevo for the beach stop. We plan on riding the Hermosillo route east over the Sierra to Copper Canyon. The boys that I ride DS bikes with can and will put the fun in road riding. Should be a great time.Not a lot of dirt till we hit the Canyon but that will keep the speed in check for the most part for the less crazy riders in the group.
Where did you sleep on the road between Creel and Hermosillo?
Peace Bash

[bandido]

We stayed overnight at Yecora (border of Sonora and Chihuahua)
King's Hotel is about the only choice, clean rooms and a place to
keep bikes safe. 40 a night

If you leave San Carlos at 7am you will be getting in Yecora about 5 pm
elevation from sea level to 9000ft wear layers.

San carlos stay at the plaza resort (your wife will love you) secure parking for the bikes, and excellent food

the best beach on the bay (Algodones beach)

from Yecora to Ceel you must stop at Besaseachi waterfalls, the second highest waterfall in mexico at 246 meters, about a 30minute hike will
get you to the top of the falls from the main road

On the Canyon we stayed at El Divisadero right on the rim, expensive 250 a night but well worth it (same place Kid Rock and Jesse James stayed)

Don't go during Mexican spring break, prices almost double on Hotels, crowded highways and mexican police will make a lot of money from tourist.

Jorge

[Jason ON]

I was looking @ Kino Nuevo for the beach stop. We plan on riding the Hermosillo route east over the Sierra to Copper Canyon.

Kino Nuevo is a nice little town, one straight paved road with a couple of hotels and restaurants (I think 3 of each). I stayed at the Dolphin Hotel which is across the street from the beach. When I was there, I was the only occupant so I had the place to myself which was nice. Of course, I soon got bored ...

We stayed overnight at Yecora (border of Sonora and Chihuahua)
King's Hotel is about the only choice, clean rooms and a place to
keep bikes safe. 40 a night

If you leave San Carlos at 7am you will be getting in Yecora about 5 pm
elevation from sea level to 9000ft wear layers.

San carlos stay at the plaza resort (your wife will love you) secure parking for the bikes, and excellent food

the best beach on the bay (Algodones beach)

from Yecora to Ceel you must stop at Besaseachi waterfalls, the second highest waterfall in mexico at 246 meters, about a 30minute hike will
get you to the top of the falls from the main road

On the Canyon we stayed at El Divisadero right on the rim, expensive 250 a night but well worth it (same place Kid Rock and Jesse James stayed)

Don't go during Mexican spring break, prices almost double on Hotels, crowded highways and mexican police will make a lot of money from tourist.

Jorge

I stopped for gas in Yecora and ended up staying in some small truck stop type town -- 40/nt and the place was horrible. I was thinking next spring of heading down to Gauymas but may have to look into San Carlos. I saw it on the map but Gauymas looked larger which to me meant it may have a nightlife. Can you post some pictures of San Carlos?

[Bashed]

Thanks guys for all of this great info.
The plan is starting to all come together.
Peace Bash

[GregsGSXR]

I am in for sure on this. I will keep checking for updates. Anything comes up let me know.

[Bashed]

I am in for sure on this. I will keep checking for updates. Anything comes up let me know.

No problem on the keeping up with the details as we have almost 5 months to nail them down.
I have people coming from LA for this as well. Should be a great time.
I figure 90% of this trip is going to on the asphalt.
A road bike would not be out of the question till we venture down into the actual canyon. I am thinking of Krissy riding her ZX down to there and then putting her on the back of the DS for the day tripping into the canyon.

Peace Bash

[rforsythe]

Are you just talking some average dirt roads here? Sounds pretty doable on a Vstrom, actually.......

[gsxrscott]

Are you just talking some average dirt roads here? Sounds pretty doable on a Vstrom, actually.......

A Vstrom should work, I'll be on my 81 Gpz 550, even though this trip was my excuse for getting my DR350.

[Bashed]

Are you just talking some average dirt roads here? Sounds pretty doable on a Vstrom, actually.......

To tell you the truth I really do not know what to expect as I
have not personally been there, hence the trip to there. I have
heard conflicting reports on the condition/rated road to the bottom.
From football sized cobbles to a graded gravel road. I will keep
looking at the trip reports over on ADV as they seem to have the
most recent reports.
You considering coming Ralph?
That would be great.
Peace Bash

[zetaetatheta]

Last report (part 7) on this site www.errant-ronin.com/PrudhoeBayUshuaia.htm by SgtMarty has him going from creel to the canyon, nice write up and pics. BTW, imho if a GS can do Copper, a V-Strom can.

[Bashed]

From the looks of it , it is a well traveled road down to Batopilas from Creel.
Graded dirt, switchbacks to numorous to count, not really anything to get technical on. From the pics I have seen on the ADV site the road/goatpath we took in the Baja will seem like a highway, which we did on sportbikes. I do not forsee a problem other than the operator error.
peace Bash