Getting There

Spent about 7 days camping and climbing in the small canyon here at what I think translates to Basaseachi Falls National Park (Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi). This is in the heart of some of the most amazing country I have ever had the privilege to explore - the Sierra Tarahumara and the whole Copper Canyon region of the Sierra Madre Occidental in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

To get here: starting in El Paso, Texas, drove almost due south along Mex 45 to the city of Chihuahua (the state capitol) at which point made a sharp turn almost due west along Mex 16. Pass Cuauhtemoc and keep going west. The turn off for the park is actually hard to find as its largely unmarked. If you actually hit the community of Basaseachi, you've gone too far by 2, maybe 2.5 miles. We found it only because there was a large military road stop right before the turn and they directed us in. Which reminds me, as a side note, don't be intimidated by these military stops! I swear, they can smell fear. If you are calm and normal, you'll be fine. If you are nervous you are going to have a lot more trouble. Also, its good if someone in your group speaks spanish. If not, you'd better learn some phrases :)

Also make sure to get a Visa. Just south of Ciudad Juarez is where I picked mine up. I got one good for 6 months, which was $30. There is a immigration (aduana) on Mex 45 as you are leaving the city (just pass a giant yellow gate-like sculpture at the edge of town).