My wife and I will be heading down to the Copper Canyon in mid December and we cannot find a definitive answer on whether or not the new paved road from Creel to Batopilas is finished. Our extensive searches have found that it's still under construction and only open from 12 noon on Sundays until early evening on Tuesdays........closed to traffic all other days. Is this info correct? Can anyone update us on this?
I was there last Sunday and it was closed for traffic; there are 2 other roads going down to Batopilas : one out o Goachochi and the other one via Urique
I just read recent info confirming its still well under construction and years from completion. Check out: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836928 Short report, easy to find, shows pics of construction. Keep in mind not only is there another route the EAST, you can also approach Batopilas from the WEST. At least two routes I know of. I believe the most common approach is via El Fuerte, which is not far off Mex 15. From there to Choix. All shown on any decent maps. If you search there is ... T O N S ... of info on routes, GPS info and more. All right here on ADV. (search: Ride Reports, Trip Planning) ASK ASK ASK!! Not much Tourism in the CC area the last few years ... but before that CC was jumping. Thousands of bikes every year mostly from Texas! The route from the WEST is dirt but not too knarly. Once rains start ... ??? There are water crossings, most times very easy. We did it on Vstroms and 950 KTM's, GS. I was just following ... so don't remember much. The locals are used to seeing guys and bikes ... and they all know the way to Batopilas. Keep in mind ... some like to play jokes on Tourists ... especially kids. Other drivers ... those actually driving, are your best source for decent info.
Thanks for the info guys. My understanding is the ride down to Batopilas (from Creel) is the reason you go to Batopilas......it's supposed to be an awesome ride with spectacular views. If it's closed due to contruction, I'm not sure I need to take either of the other two options just to say I was there. GuateRider and Adv Grifter, are the roads from Urique or Goachochi worth the ride? I'm riding two up on a loaded 1150GS. My wife isn't into goat trails much...she can take her share of bouncing around but if either of the other two options into Batopilas don't match the views and visas of the under contruction road out of Creel, I would likely pass. Your thoughts?
Secret Agent Man, Julio (Guate rider) can tell you more at this point, if you can hang on for a few days we will be there probably Thursday /Friday ish so will post up a new report and pics to show you what we find. We won't be doing any stuntman stuff with Ellen riding so trust me we will give you the real oil on the current conditions and knowing your ride and level of gear will tell you how we see it. Our RR is http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=789269 so check back in there this time next week or slightly after, if I remember I will post back in here for others to see too or you can copy and paste any of the info from our report and swing it in here.
Andi & Ellen, thanks for the swift response. No worries, I will await your update on what you find out. FYI, I have been to the long white cloud several times and am always blow away by the beauty of your country and it's people. Cheers mate, Casey
I've not ridden the Guahachi (sp?) route ... only the main road from Creel to Batopilas and from the West from El Fuerte. Sounds like you better give it a pass. Maybe you'll get lucky and be there during the short window when the crews open it up for traffic? Most dual sport riders take it one way .. that is from Creel, to Batopilas and then dirt out to El Fuerte and the West Coast. Keep an eye out for other riders as many may have been there before and may know the route and give you a better idea on conditions? Just a thought. There are plenty of great paved roads throughout Mexico ... no need to risk anything in the nasty stuff. Not worth it. Get down to the Bajia region (Central Highlands), check out Guanajuato, San Miguel De Allende, Zaccatecas ... lots to see and do. Good luck, ride safe. Eyes UP!
The Urique road is not to bad (I have not done it all), but once you are down in the canyon you have a few rivercrossings to do in order to get to Batopilas ; the road down from Guachochi is easier, according to the locals; I don't know it personally. Definitely the highlight of Batopilas is the road down from Creel. The road from Creel to Guachochi is spectacular and paved and you will enjoy it much more then going down in the canyon with an overloaded bike and a non happy passenger on the back seat When I went down to Batopilas in April this year, my wife and my luggage stayed in Creel
OK Secret Agent Man, got to our ride report for the big picture, start on page 29, this will save lots of reposting, if you have any queries on any of it or if I have not answered something feel free to ask and if I can help I will. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=789269&page=29 Copper Canyon From Creel he road is paved for 75 km from the roundabout at the south end of Creel, you take the sign to San Rafal. We went to the end to find the huge roadworks and a detour with the road turning to hard gravel from there down to Urique. The road is mint tho, in fact the best views of the canyon can be had here and the tram ride is worth it. Creel To Batopilas via the closed road Arriving at Samachique we turned right to head to Batopilas to find out how closed the road actually is. From the turn off it is first world Laguna Seca for 99% of it then at Km 23 there is a sign, road closed!! at km 24 the road works start at that really is it, big machinery and no way through, talk is four years to complete????, it is only 42 km from there to Batopillas. The return leg out and continue to Guachochi is 104km from that point. Guachochi To Batopilas Via Yoquivo Tarmac greeted us for the first 35km then it ended abruptly ... i.e. road carpet to trailbike track. The road through to Yoquivo was good fun, rough in parts smooth in parts, at times the dirt powder would have been 150 mm deep and very fine like talcum powder. The total return trip from Guachochi to Batopilas back up to Guachochi was 240km, the locals said 3 hours each way, it took 4 hours each way, we chose to stay two nights in Guachochi and do a day run to Batoplias. If you are two up you will get to Yoquivo without to much trouble, from there the road is more orientated towards a smaller bike and one up. If you are two up loaded with gear you will suffer for it, you will get style points from the lads on here but these points will all be deducted and stolen from your wifes brownie points. If you really want to get down take a day to get down, stay the night then allow a day to get back up. My advice is don't do it on your bike or at least not two up and/or loaded, unsure of your level of skill but for me, 38 bikes over 33 year, motocross, motard racing etc I would say it is a great ride but one up and on a smaller lighter bike. Hope this helps, let me know if you want more info etc.
Thanks for the good report. Headed toward Copper Canyon in a few weeks, so updates on the roads are great info. You guys are having a great trip. Thanks for sharing.
Andi & Ellen, thank you so much for detailing the road situation down to Batopilas, greatly appreciated. We might just do a day trip out of Creel on the 75kms of paved section. We were in Creel two years ago and attempted the ride down but, back then, we only got about 7kms and ran into 12 inch thick crushed rock [for the new road bed]. We did that for a few kms and it got old very fast so we headed back to Creel. We'll be out for two and a half months this time (we have done every country in C.A., some several times) so we will follow your ride report and perhaps we can hook up. Ride safe! Casey & Sheila Boyle
Heya Casey and Sheila You are welcome for the info, I forgot to mention if it is wet it wouldn't be a good idea as the powder I would imagine would turn into a real boggy deep paste, perhaps someone else might we able to confirm this. If we can hook up would be cool for sure, see our www.twomotokiwis.com page, go to the "Where Are We Now" tab in to middle and you will be on our spot page and you can see within 10 minute exactly where we are.