Los Alamos....

Next milestone is Alamos. But first we're heading to El Fuerte, as we want to gather information here about the departure times of the 'El Chepe' train, which travels through the 'Barranca del Cobre' to Chihuahua. Unfortunately, the news is not very good, as it actually means spending three days in Creel.

Alamos is a beautiful old city that is currently hosting one of Mexico's most famous music festivals, which lasts for ten days and offers a wide range of music styles from classical to traditional to modern themes.

After learning that dogs are not allowed on the train, we decide to drive with the Defender. There are two options: a 600 km paved road around the outside or a 300 km mountain route without pavement. Of course, we choose the latter option. Yvonne with the Toyo wants to join us.

Although it's not entirely clear on the maps if there is a part of the road (Google Satellite shows it), we start driving. But after a few kilometers, we are hindered by several layers of barbed wire. Before we take a different turn, we want to inquire about the condition of the road again. The boss at the next gas station makes some phone calls and comes back with the information that we should avoid the road, as it is a drug cultivation area and tourists who venture into the lower part of the canyon by motor vehicle are occasionally attacked. Reason prevails and we abandon our plan, which means the Copper Canyon is dead for us.