| • Ride to the Tehueco (Blue Sky) Mayo Indian
Mission, about 9 miles or 1 hour away. It is the center for Mayo religious
fiestas. Tehueco was founded in 1648 and the mission church was built in 1650. The present
structure —next
to the 1650 ruins— was built in 1811. You can also visit the ancient Indian village of Capomos. |
|
| • Go into an exciting raft ride through the Fuerte
River, watch the birds and enjoy pure nature! |
|
| • Take a taxi or van ride —9 miles— to see the Nahuatl Petroglyphs, up to 1500 years old. Or
you may cross the river by boat and hike 1 mile to the petroglyphs and return (3 hours)
and visit Bird Island on the same trip (15 minutes more). |
|
| • White-winged Dove and Quail hunting are offered in
various areas. You may ride horseback along El Fuerte River, or even go kayaking. |
|
| • Ride to the historical silver mining town of Alamos, 110
miles away (allow 3 hours each way). In the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, you
will be delighted with the history, culture and natural wonders in this lovely old city. |
|
Surrounded by dense
tropical deciduous forest
—and only 50
miles away fron the Sea of Cortez— this area abounds with wildlife and is a great place for birding. |
|
| Many visitors
prefer to spend the night here and then
begin their Copper Canyon train journey in the morning after a hearty breakfast. You may
arrive to El Fuerte by train, bus or private plane. |
|
| Daily Train
Schedule |
| To Chihuahua |
To Los Mochis |
|
| Location |
Departure |
Location |
Departure |
| Los Mochis |
6:00 a.m. |
Chihuahua |
6:00 a.m. |
 El Fuerte |
7:40 a.m. |
Creel |
11:30 a.m. |
| Cerocahui |
12:25 p.m. |
Barrancas |
1:15 p.m. |
| Barrancas |
1:35 p.m. |
Cerocahui |
2:32 p.m. |
| Creel |
3:30 p.m. |
El Fuerte |
6:16 p.m. |
|
| Arrives to Chihuahua |
Arrives to Los Mochis |
| 8:50 p.m. |
7:50 p.m. |
|
|
| Your host in El
Fuerte: Posada del
Hidalgo |
|
| Average rainfall ················· |
25 inches |
| Average temperature ········· |
85º F. |
| Elevation ·························· |
600 Ft. |
|
|
| TOP OF PAGE |
ESPAÑOL
El Fuerte was founded in 1564 by the Spanish conquistador Don
Francisco de Ibarra, the first explorer of the lofty western Sierra Madre mountains. In
1610 a fort was built to ward off the fierce Zuaque and Tehueco indians, who constantly
harrased the Spaniards. El Fuerte was the gateway to the last frontiers of northern indian
territories of Sonora, Arizona and California.
After subduing warring
Sinaloa Zuaque and Tehueco indiands, the settlement fluorish. For three centuries it was
the most important commercial and agricultural center of the vast northern region of
Mexico. El Fuerte became a major trading post for silver miners and gold seekers from the
Urique, Batopilas and Rain of Gold mines in the nearby Sierra Madre.
There is much rich history in and around El Fuerte. You can be sure that a
historical walk around this picturesque colonial city of 30,000 people is very rewarding.
