Copper Canyon, Mexico - Batopilas
Day Six – In and Around Batopilas.
Today was supposed to be an out and aback to
the small town of Cerro del Colorado which is up an adjourning finger canyon.
We got off to a late start and it was getting quite hot. After pedaling out of
town we dropped into the riverbed for a bit until we connected with a very old
road that had become a de facto singletrack. This trail was quite rocky and
technically challenging in spots as it undulated along the steep canyon side
next to the river.
For a while the trail also followed along a stone aqueduct
that was built around 1860 to support the town and the mining operations. We
never made it all the way out to Cerra del Colorado as we knew we would be end
up spending the hottest part of the day out in the sun so instead we opted
to “session” on bits of the technical singletrack we had already ridden up to this
point.
You
see all sorts of critters while riding around the trails. The bull
pictured here was rather intimidating standing in the middle of the trail.
Kevin, Andy, and I sacked up and decided who would go first like manly men.
I was the first person out in rock, paper and scissors so I had to run the
gauntlet first. I did get my revenge on the fellows by smacking this bull
on the ass as I went by! I did hear some superlatives behind me as I
pedaled off. I wish I could have seen their faces!
Before
returning back to the hotel we crossed over the river to check out the ruins of
the Shepard Hacienda.
Alexander Shepard is credited with being the primary benefactor and
developer of Batopilas who brought about a prosperous period of silver mining to
this area. The ruins are of not only his hacienda but the mine main
offices as well. It is an interesting and picturesque place to spend and
hour or so snooping around in. The people who run the place now will
squeeze you for some pesos but it is worth it.
After a little nap around lunchtime, I spent the
afternoon walking through town with my camera taking in the buzz of people and
the spirit of this place. The ornamental work of the lampposts and the benches
in the town square were quite detailed and show some definite craftsmanship.
That afternoon I had not a care in the world other than making sure I did not
miss dinner. That evening we had another delicious meal. We followed
this up with a couple hours of
idle chit-chat with the
locals and a few federales in the town square. This was the closest I got
to having a late night on this trip and I'm sure I was asleep by 10pm.
