Snowy night in Creel

It happened during our trip to the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, Mexico. The Sierra Tarahumara had already given us a freezy and great New Year's night, had shown us Tarahumara roads, landscapes that invite to meditation... Our Italian friends that we met in Chepe, the train that transported us to the town of Creel, had already ended their adventure there and were gone towards Chacahua, in the southern State of Oaxaca.



A lifetime friend and I walked the streets of Creel. Small restaurants and handicraft stores, a place to lodge... our steps continued and small snow flakes started to fall on the parked cars.

We arrived to a small bar. There were only few people. We took a table and asked for some beers. We started to talk, to philosophise. It was one of those talks where there is no hurry, where you can talk openly, where there are advises from friends, from brothers. After some hours, we left the bar, to find something fascinating: the whole Creel was white!



That's it, as we talked, the snow had covered streets, trees and everything that there was and it was still doing so. Considering that where we live there is no snow, perhaps once a century, this spectacle was ecstasy.



This internal joy transformed us into kids as we were walking. Strangely for us the streets where deserted. How could the other visitors be sleeping when everything outside was perfect? Streets impeccably white covered, still without footsteps and full of magic.

We started to take us pictures, to run, to throw us snow balls and to laugh. Not even as a kid could I had imagined that one day I'd play in that way on the snow and in my own country. I ran over the main plaza and throwed myself to the floor rolling over the snow. Ah, such a marvelous moment!



Suddenly, the motor of a truck was heard. The noise was always louder until it got to the zone we were. The truck gained speed and then turned abruptly, skidding on the snow and spinning. Yes, there were other crazy guys that decided to take advantage of the occasion to have fun and play. They way they came, the way they left.

A little bit later, we decided to go and have some rest so the next day we could take our way to Divisadero. That snowy night in Creel ended there, but it's still alive and current in my memories.


Where is it?


Larger map


How to get there?

From Los Mochis take the Chepe (Chihuahua Pacífico train) and stop in Creel. The train leaves in the morning and arrives in the evening.

From Chihuahua it is also possible to take the Chepe or you can take a bus.


Some advises

Personally, I recommend to take the Chepe from Los Mochis. There is first and second class. Second class is pretty decent and the price is much slower. It is important to notice that each class leaves just once a day, so you must be early to get the tickets. The seats on the right side have a better view. As in any train, it's not a bad idea to take your own food with you.

I suggest to go at the end of December or the start of January, because there are more chances to find the town with snow.


To know more...

Creel at Wikipedia