There are some 860 hairpin turns on Mexico’s Highway 120 which snakes through the Sierra Gorda Mountains in the Northern Central Highlands. Looking down at the valleys while the bus driver navigated 180 degree turns with skill I couldn’t help but wonder what little a guard rail would do (where there were some) to stop a mammoth bus from rolling over the side if disaster struck. The mountains reach 7,545 feet at one point. But not once did I see a wreck below although there were many road side memorials with crosses and flowers for those who perished and occasionally loved ones tending to them.
The highway also traverses through the dramatic Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, the beauty of which can distract you from the potential perils of two lane mountain roads. We encountered a diversity of vegetation ranging from dry land with large cacti to pine forests. Ranches and farms growing maze whizzed by the windows.
Paricutín could be described as Mexico’s version of Pompeii although on a much smaller scale. Think village instead of city.