Basaseachic Falls National Park

Basaseachic Falls National Park is in the western side of the state of Chihuahua in the heart of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range. The park is named after Basaseachic Falls (Cascada de Basaseachic) the second tallest waterfall in Mexico with a height of 246 m (853 ft).

Understand
Basaseachic Falls empties into Candameña Canyon (Barranca de Candameña) which was carved by the Basaseachic River over millions of years. The park is known for its pine-oak forest, rock formations, and scenic views from high cliffs. Cliffs in the park reach an impressive height of 1,640 meters (5,380 ft).

The area of the present-day national park was inhabited by Tarahumara prior to the Spanish Colonial period. The etymology of the name "Basaseachic" originates from the Tarahumara language, Rarámuri meaning "place of the waterfall".

History
Basaseachic Falls is one of more than 60 Mexico national parks. Basaseachic Falls National Park was created by the Mexican federal government in 1981.

Flora
The park has a great diversity in flora found in Northern Mexico. One of the factors that allows the park to have such a great variety of flora is due to the large number of microclimates found in the park due to dramatic terrain. The flora in the park like that found throughout the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range varies with elevation. Pine (Pinus) and oak (Quercus) species are usually found at an elevation of 2,000 meters (6,560 ft) above sea level. The park contains 92 species of conifers and 76 species of oaks. A large number of flora species in the following genus are observed in the park: Pinus, Quercus, Ficus, Vachellia, Ipomoea, Acacia, Lysiloma, Bursera, Vitex, Tabebuia, Sideroxylon, Cordia, Fouquieria, Pithecellobium.

Fauna
The park also supports a large variety of fauna including a significant number of mammals, reptiles and birds. The mammals that can be found in the park include: Mexican fox squirrel, antelope jackrabbit, raccoon, hooded skunk, wild boa, collared peccary, white-tailed deer, and cougar. The three main species of reptiles found in the park are: Texas horned lizard, rock rattlesnake, and black-tail rattlesnake.

There is a great variety of birds observed in the park including: Mexican jay, Steller's jay, acorn woodpecker, canyon towhee, mourning dove, broad-billed hummingbird, Montezuma quail, mountain trogon, turkey and vulture. Mountain trogon is endemic species found in the mountains in Mexico; it is considered an endangered species and has symbolic significance to Mexicans.

Climate
The climate in the park changes depending on the elevation of the terrain. There are many microclimates in the park due to the different terrain.

Get in
The park is 270 km from the city of Chihuahua. Take Federal Highway 16 west of the city, in the direction of the city of Hermosillo. Access to the park through this road is after passing Tomochi, where you take the junction called Las Estrellas, to take a path of approximately 12 km.

Fees and permits
It is free

Hiking
In stark contrast to the copper canyon area, Basasachic has well marked trails that are easily followed without the need for a guide. It is one of the chief benefits of the national park status. Most of the park trails are close to the waterfalls and provide different perspectives (angles for your photo shoots).

Major trails are:
 * Basaseachic Falls Trail - Short, easy 15-minute hike to the falls, followed by more challenging trails leading forward. There are good vistas of the water spilling over the edge.
 * San Lorenzo Trail - Ascends to the canyon rim where there are multiple scenic overlooks. It's a longer trail with significant elevation gains and will take at least 2 hours to hike.
 * Basaseachic Falls Canyon Floor Trail - Descends to the base of the falls with several challenging and quite steep sections. Dramatic cliffs, rock formations, and stunning perspectives that have you looking up at the impressively high waterfalls. Allow at least 2-1/2 hours to hike the trail.

See

 * Basaseachic Falls - 850 foot (246m) high waterfalls are the main attraction in this park, though climbers will appreciate the sheer cliffs and naturalists will appreciate the pine forests with its varied flora and fauna.
 * La Finca - An orchard with over 25,000 avocado, orange, lime, and nut trees growing in the canyon beneath the town of Uruachi. It is communal property of the Raramuri in the area.

Camping
The campground within the park is said to be one of the nicest in Mexico.

Go next

 * Copper Canyon is nearby.
 * Creel is the nearest town with hotels, restaurants and traveler services.