Río La Sierra, Upper, Chiapas, Mexico (area: north central; click here for the Chiapas table of rivers)

river photo

Class: IV-; Ave. Gradient: 20 m/km; Portages: none; Length: 2 km; Time: 1:00

Season: August to December; Rafts? no; Highlights: gorge scenery; Crux move: bringing the camera

Water Quality: ok; Water Temperature: cool

PI: Ixhuatán (elev: 450 m); TO: puente de madera

Description: (click here for general notes about my descriptions)

The La Sierra is a beautiful creek lying in a limestone bed in the heart of the northern Chiapas range. It also lies right along a major road so access is easy. The Upper section is short and small but exhibits some spectacular scenery. It's worth checking out if you're going by with an hour to spare.

A full description is in the Mayan Whitewater: Chiapas & Belize guidebook..

Flow Notes: There is online gauge downstream at Teapa, linked to below (fairly accurate in 2009). I believe you have a decent chance to find a runnable flow in September, October, and November, but will need some luck outside these months. My impressions are from a run with 200 cfs (280 cfs on the Teapa gauge).

click here for the height graph

Accommodations: There are basic hotels in the larger towns along the main road.

Nearby Tourist Attractions: This area does not see many tourists.