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By Griffin Page Naturalist ~ Eco-guide The impressive Sierra Madres. Many mountain ranges in the world can be considered as impressive. Aren’t we lucky? We have the Sierra Madre Occidental right here in our own backyard! So let me take you through this spectacular trail and perhaps, you’ll want to experience it for yourself. |
 Juan's ranch house Photo courtesy of Monachí |
This walk through virgin nature begins at a certain altitude above sea level. This allows us to reach heights that allow for a bird’s eye view of part of the Bay. The beginning is like a walk in the park. Really easy walking. We encounter vegetation of a variety so wide that I would find myself between a rock and a hard place if I had to name them all. We can see trumpet trees, palms, jarretaderas, red paper trees in plenty, bamboo and shrubs of all kinds. Along the way, we pass a typical Mexican ranch like house in the middle of nowhere. Extraordinary that some people can live so far in the middle of nature. A few dogs will happily greet us as we pass in front, excited to have company. |
| The area is filled with birds of all kinds as well. You can hear doves, chachalacas (wild pheasant like birds) in great numbers, yellow-winged Caciques, San Blas jays and many more. Then, it goes up and up and up…..not too bad, but a few may want to take a break here and there, just to catch their breath. The climb doesn’t last long and is well worth it. The view it affords is quite breath taking. From there, it’s all downhill and extremely pleasant. We encounter many little creeks, flowing in the rainy season, creating an enchanting lullaby, and dry otherwise, allowing passage for wildlife. There is a nice canopy for shade and the air is cooler around these parts; just what we need after the short climb. The peacefulness of this semi-deciduous sub tropical jungle is heaven on earth. |
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There are many places where we can stop to have a sip of water of even a snack while listening to the chanting birds and watching life go on all around us. Butterflies go by, birds fly overhead or are in the process of making their nests, and lizards lazily sit there in the underbrush keeping cool. Ants are hard at work creating moving highways of natural detritus and us, well, we just sit there and enjoy the opportunity of being blessed enough to just be there. The great part of this trail is that in about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs, we reach a little town where we can have refreshments in a beautifully landscaped restaurant. We start at one point and end in another, no need to turn back and go through the same trail again.
In all honesty, this is my favorite trail so far, but don’t just
take my word for it, come see for yourself. So take a hike, not figuratively
speaking of course, but rather literally. A hike within the impressive
Sierra Madre Occidental…..you’ll be happy you did. |
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