Riding El Chepe in Mexico’s Copper Canyon Mexico

[@ContinentalDrifter]

👉 Join us for my next Tour 🌐 continentaldrifter.co/experiences/

[@AiJaiDeeSaMer]

Is this a safe part of the world to ride the train? For example, are you safe from crime committed by the local gangs and cartels? Otherwise this may be one of the most beautiful scenery rides. Your honest response will be appreciated. Thank you.

[@FrenchieLaChance]

I was lucky in 1980 that a couple of friends had ridden the Copper Canyon train. With their description of this experience I was hooked. I put together a group of friends and we left to drive across the mountains. We could not find any road maps, but there had to be a way across. We spent 14 days getting across the Sierra Madre Mts. For part of the way was by following the rail line. Well the dust got under my skin. I had to keep returning to Copper Canyon. I was lucky as a 4X4 driving educator and 4X4 guide, to have a opportunity to add this to my locations for trips with clients. Well it has been 42 years of returning and well over 100+ 14 to 21 day adventures to Copper Canyon. I will be leading my last trip in March/April of 2024 to train my replacement guides for “Barrancas del Cobre”. At 75 years young I will be saying a wonderful, Adiós mi amigo despedida! 😍 Frenchie

[@markplimsoll]

In 1975, rode that train from Ojinaga /Presidio, TX to Los Mochis. Really primitive back then, burlap bags full of chickens, wooden bench seats, cowboys picking on confused 22 year old gringoes, etc.

[@angieflynn-mciver9080]

Amazing! I love trains, and it wouldn't have occurred to me to travel Mexico that way!

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Yes, and it's the only passenger train in all of Mexico, so it can really only be done in this part of the country.

[@ArianaFriedlander]

Spectacular! Love a good train ride along a beautiful countryside.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Great, then Copper Canyon is your kind of place!

[@heatherchavin4415]

Well this is going on my bucket list! The tip about the time of year to travel is gold.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Yes, and although I'd love to see this area outside of August, I think the time of year to go for a one-time trip would be August, that's my recommendation.

[@garykrosin1429]

I did this trip with Ralph in August 2018. Superb in all ways! Just like the video, but even better. Outrageous scenery, and some darn good instruction as well from Ralph.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Thanks so much for saying so, Gary! It was a pleasure having you along and learning from you, as well. Let's do it again somewhere.

[@anne-mariemercure4473]

I finally took the trip on El Chepe and saw a few of my friends . It looks like a great trip, and with some luck, I may take the trip with you one day. It looks like a spectacular ride.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Sounds great, Anne-Marie, I really think you'd enjoy this unique place known as Copper Canyon.

[@shlomit-tassa]

The cookbook assignment seems unbelievable!!! So cool. I love train trips, and your photography is stunning as always.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Thanks so much, Shlomit, and yes, the assignment was incredible.

[@stubie1456]

Great video! It also kind of sounds like you were once in a band called “Scrantonicity”. 😉

[@celsobeltran5011]

Looks pretty awesome!!! Will have to make plans next time I am in Mexico.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Absolutely, I'm sure you'll love it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@johnrayburn4139]

Great trip...And memories.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Hey, thanks, John. Can't wait until our next trip together.

[@PeterNakamura]

Awesome video, Ralph!

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Thanks, Peter, I hope it was worth the wait 😃

[@jackwebb437]

Triple thumbs up!

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Thanks so much! Join us there in July!

[@kenbell5841]

Great introduction... sharing. My dream is to take my grandson on this trip, and will follow your links! Thanks!

[@ContinentalDrifter]

That's great, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It really is a fascinating place and you'll both love it. Let me know if you need any help putting the trip together. I have great contacts down there.

[@julie-annkruttan2556]

Heading to Mazatlan in March and I think we’re gonna do this tour 😅

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Yes, you should. It's a great experience.

[@TheGinchiest]

I felt as if I was there!

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Excellent, then I think I did it right!

[@kathymalone9727]

Loved this! Listen to the Born to Run audiobook before going for an even more rich appreciation of this region (the one by Christopher McDougall, not the title of the same name by Bruce Springsteen alth ough that one's a great listen also and narrated by the Boss himself)

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Yes, I've read Born to Run (both by McDougall AND Springsteen) and both are great reads. The Tarahumara people and their culture are so interesting.

[@lucio.martinez]

¡Viva México! 🇲🇽 ¡Viva El Chepe! My bucket-list, El Chepe, El Tren Maya, and all the trains. forthcoming.

[@nosysknows]

and now I have another cookbook I have to pick up...

[@ContinentalDrifter]

It's a tough one to find, but you might get lucky on Ebay, and BTW, it's published by Gourmet Pilgrim.

[@MicahOffman-artandmusic]

Hi, I really enjoy your video and tips, thanks for that! But I've seen other videos about El Chepe where they claim that you're not allowed to stand between the carriages and there is no way to find the open windows. Do you think that now the Express Train is different?

[@ContinentalDrifter]

It’s a great question, Micah. I haven’t ridden the latest version of it since the upgrade and so anything’s possible. I’ll be there in July but I’m going to find out too before I go.

[@MicahOffman-artandmusic]

@@ContinentalDrifter Hi, thanks for your reply! I'm planning my trip right now and I'm intrigued about your tour and not only cuz I'm alone. The fact that July is too late, I wanna skip the Easter weeks and I visiting Baja before and I suppose that is pretty warm in the second half of April so I'll be in the Copper canyon at the beginning of May. What do you think?

[@ContinentalDrifter]

Thanks for your comment, Micah. I plan my trips to Copper Canyon in July and August because it's absolutely gorgeous weather then, with temperatures typically in the mid 60s to low 80s with some afternoon showers which make for beautiful clouds, distant storm watching and occasional rainbows. This is because Copper Canyon is at about 7,000 feet above sea level and so it's wonderful at this time of year. Come with us and I'll put you in the right place at the right time and introduce you to the most interesting places and people!

[@FrenchieLaChance]

I was just down at Easter time 2024 and the Newer Express train does not want you to stand between the trains on the platform. The old local train lets you stand on the platform. The group I took down this year wanted the Express train between Creel and El Fuerte, so we took the Express train this year. I generally like the local train as I like to stand between the trains. I have the opportunity to switch between the sides of the train. The views are the same on either train (one set of tracks, one route, not counting the sidings for passing). I personally like the local train with more stops and I can meet more of the locals, rather then other tourist. Just know the temps. in the mountain are generally 25 to35 degrees F. cooler then in the canyons or the coastal plains. There are web-sites with the average temps. for the area. Just know the temperatures in the mountain and mesas are generally 25 to35 degrees F. cooler then in the canyons or the coastal plains. The old high mesas are in the 7,000' + elevations. The most visited canyons Batopilas and Urique are at elevations of about 1,500'. There are web-sites with the average temps. for the area.

[@ContinentalDrifter]

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