Mexico's Copper Canyon: A Hidden Oasis

Copper Canyon, a group of canyons consisting of six distinct canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara, was first encountered by the Spanish in the 17th century. (Chiva Congealdo)

The overall canyon system is larger and portions are deeper than the Grand Canyon in neighboring Arizona. (Chiva Congelado )

The Copper Canyon Railway took 90 years and almost $90 million to complete. (Seth Llyod)

There are many places go hiking and birdwatching in Copper Canyon. (Chiva Congelado )

In this photo taken on Nov. 9, 2011, Tarahumara women are seen peddling goods to passengers of El Chepe, the government-run train that is celebrating its 50th anniversary transporting passengers from the Pacific state of Sinaloa to the northern state of Chihuahua, along the railway that connects Los Mochis to Chihuahua, Mexico. (AP Photo Lisa J. Adams) (AP2011)

This photo taken on Nov. 9, 2011 shows the route of El Chepe, the government-run train celebrating its 50th anniversary this year transporting passengers from the Pacific coast state of Sinaloa to northern Chihuahua state, at the El Chepe train station in el Fuerte, Mexico. (AP Photo/Lisa J. Adams) (AP2011)

In this photo taken Nov. 9, 2011, a track is seen from the caboose of El Chepe, a government-run train celebrating its 50th anniversary transporting passengers from the Pacific coast state of Sinaloa to the northern state of Chihuahua, Mexico. (AP Photo/Lisa J. Adams) (AP2011)

In this photo taken Nov. 11, 2011, bullet holes are seen on the facade of a building in Batopilas, Mexico. In Batopilas, an old silver mining town, the drug-fighting military keeps a high profile. (AP Photo/Lisa J. Adams) (AP2011)

The canyon gets is name due to the copper/green color of its walls. (Nathan Laurell)

The alpine climate of the mountainous regions of Copper Canyon has moderate temperatures and the canyon bottoms are humid and warm and remains that way throughout the year. (bdearth)

This photo taken Nov. 9, 2011, shows a view of the Copper Canyon in Divisadero, Mexico. Copper Canyon is a series of awe-inspiring gorges bigger than the Grand Canyon. (AP Photo/Lisa J. Adams) (AP2011)

In this photo taken Nov. 11, 2011, bullet holes are seen on the facade of a building in Batopilas, Mexico. In Batopilas, an old silver mining town, the drug-fighting military keeps a high profile. (AP Photo/Lisa J. Adams) (AP2011)

In this photo taken Nov. 9, 2011, a full moon rises over the Copper Canyon in Divisadero, Mexico. Copper Canyon is a series of awe-inspiring gorges bigger than the Grand Canyon. (AP Photo/Lisa J. Adams) (AP2011)