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Wonder
Piedra Volada (Piedra Bolada)
In short
The tallest waterfall in Mexico is Piedra Volada (Piedra Bolada). This is a breathtaking, 453 m tall waterfall with a single plunge. For the most part of the year, the waterfall is dry but when it flows after the rains, this is a gorgeous natural spectacle.
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Map of the site
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In detail
Piedra Volada is located in a remote, wild part of Mexico. Here some 30 million years ago volcanoes have deposited a thick layer of volcanic rock – ignimbrite. Since then the power of water has formed a maze of extremely deep canyons. Several of these canyons are deeper than the Great Canyon – Urique Canyon is even 1,870 m deep!
Thus here a perennial stream – Corriente de Piedra Bolada – falls over the cliff. After a breathtaking jump, it hits the base of Candameña Canyon and soon after falls in the Cajurichi stream.
The stream is perennial – the best chances to see the waterfall in action are in the time period between June and October. Seeing the falls is not easy either: the waterfall is not visible from the top of the falls or any other spot near the waterfall itself. One needs to look from afar – from the rim of the canyon near Huahumar. Other options are taking an airplane or… rappelling down the cliffs!
The base part of the waterfall is hidden from the human view by the walls of a slot canyon.
The better-known name of the waterfall – “Piedra Volada” (The flying stone) – is a misnomer. The correct name is Piedra Bolada after the nearby village. But, it seems, the more popular name has overshadowed the correct one.
Discovery and measuring of the falls
Around 1979 – 1980 Alberto Paz (the Cuauhtémoc City Caving Group) heard rumors that there is a very tall, hitherto unknown waterfall in Chihuahua. Only in 1986, they managed to locate this remote waterfall in the giant Candameña Canyon. This is an almost pristine area where people are seldom guests.
Researchers had the impression that this is a taller waterfall than the officially tallest (then) waterfall of Mexico – the 246 m tall Basaseachic Falls. But measurements were needed to prove this.
In September 1995 the waterfall was measured in a daring expedition by Cuauhtémoc City Caving Group led by Carlos Lazcano. To the surprise of the group, the waterfall turned out to be a lot higher than the Basaseachic waterfall – 453 meters!
References
- Carlos Lazcano. Piedra Volada, la cascada más profunda de México (Chihuahua). México Desconocido, 08 July 2010.
Linked articles
Wonders of Mexico
Few countries in the world can offer such an array of unique and astounding attractions as Mexico.
The area of this country was the cradle of several highly developed indigenous civilizations and some regions in the country are dotted with remnants of ancient cities with temples, palaces, and pyramids.
Waterfalls
Some of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring natural monuments are waterfalls or locations where a river abruptly changes its elevation.
Wonders of North America
North America is a very diverse continent that extends from the northernmost land of the world to the moist tropical wilderness of Darien Gap. The most amazing wonders of North America are the prehistoric monuments of Mesoamerica, the geysers of Yellowstone, and colonial architecture.
Recommended books
Mexico Unexplained: The Magic, Mysteries and Miracles of Mexico
It’s “The X Files” meets “Ancient Aliens” with a Latino twist. Many Americans do not know that a whole other world exists right across their southern border. This book examines the magic, the mysteries, and the miracles of Mexico and covers such topics as ancient mysteries, myths and legends, religious curiosities, bizarre history, legendary creatures, and otherworldly phenomena.