The Copper Canyon (Spanish: Barranca del Cobre) is a group of canyons consisting of 6 distinct canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara in the southwestern part of the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. The overall canyon system is larger and portions are deeper than the Grand Canyon in the neighboring United States. The canyons were formed by six rivers which drain the western side of the Sierra Tarahumara (a part of the Sierra Madre Occidental). All six rivers merge into the Rio Fuerte and empty into the Sea of Cortez. The walls of the canyon are a copper/green color which is where the name originates.

History

The Spanish arrived in this area in the 1600’s encountering the indigenous Indians for the first time throughout Chihuahua. For the Spanish, Mexico was a new land to explore for gold and silver and also to spread Christianity. The Spanish named the Indians they encountered Tarahumara, which is derived from the word Raramuri, meaning ‘foot runners’. During the 17th century, silver was discovered by the Spaniards in the land of the Tarahumara Indians. They were immediately kept as laborers for mining efforts. There were small uprisings by the Tarahumara, but to little avail. They were eventually forced off of the more desirable lands and up into the canyon cliffs.

Climate

The alpine climate of the mountainous regions of Copper Canyon has moderate temperatures from October to November and March to April. The bottom of the canyons is humid and warm and remains that way throughout the year. During the warmest months, April through June, drought is a chronic problem with little rainfall until July when the rainy season begins.

Flora and fauna

The Sierra Tarahumara Occidental region contains some twenty-three different species of pine and two hundred different species of oak trees. Mexican Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga lindleyana) trees cover the high plateaus in altitudes over 8,000 feet (2,400 m), but due to deforestation in the area, many species of wildlife are endangered. Mexican Wolves and Cougars live in the remotest of regions and are rarely seen. After the summer rainy season these upper regions blossom with wildflowers until October. From 4,000–8,000 feet (1,200–2,400 m), oak trees grow in the huge forests as well as the more shade-tolerant types of trees. In the fall the forests become brilliant with color from Andean Alder (Alnus acuminata) and poplar (Populus spp.) trees. Brushwood and scrubby trees grow on the canyon slopes, which can accommodate the dry season. Huge fig (Ficus spp.) and palm trees thrive at the bottom where water is plentiful and the climate is tropical.

Popular culture

This canyon was featured on Season 2 Episode 3, of Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel. It is also featured in Raramuri Tale, a short film about a Raramuri boy, his mother and the timeless teachings of the Tarahumaras. Copper Canyon was also featured in the Film The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. Copper Canyon was also a destination in Motorcycle Mania 3, a feature that aired on the Discovery Channel, which featured Jesse James of West Coast Choppers riding with singer Kid Rock, on two custom-built motorcycles. "In the Sierra Madre", a book by Jeff Biggers, looks at a Tarahumara village in the Copper Canyon. Much of nonfiction book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall takes place in Copper Canyon.

credited to wikipedia and flickr: iedyweb