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The Catwalk's history began with the discovery of gold and silver in the rugged Mogollon Mountains above Whitewater Canyon. In 1893, the small town of Graham (also known as Whitewater) grew around a mill, located on the west hillside near the present day of parking area. The mill only lasted about 10 years. In the mid-1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilt the Catwalk. The Catwalk bridge system washed away during a huge flooding event after the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire. It was rebuilt and is now open for approximately .5 miles from the parking lot. This is a very accessible area and easily hiked by all ages.
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Catwalk - entrance
Caption:
Entrance to Catwalk Recreation Area
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US Forest Service
Title:
Catwalk Bridge 2
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Catwalk Bridge
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Forest Service
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Picnic Table at Catwalk
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Picnic table at Catwalk
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Forest Service
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Catwalk Walkway 3
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Catwalk Walkway 3
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Forest Service
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Title:
Catwalk Walkway
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Catwalk Walkway 2
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Forest Service
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At a Glance
Operational Hours:
Dawn to Dusk
Reservations:
None needed
Area Amenities:
Picnic tables,Toilets,Parking
Fees
There is a $3.00 fee per vehicle. The America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Passes honored are: the Annual Pass, the Military Pass, the 4th Grade Pass, the Access Pass, the Senior Pass and the Volunteer Pass. Make sure to display your Interagency Pass from your mirror.
Open Season:
year-round
Usage:
Medium-Heavy
Best Season:
Spring and Fall
Restrictions:
The water at the Catwalk Recreation Area has been turned off for the winter. Trash pick-up is suspended. Normal water and trash operations will resume in May.
The area is approximately 5 miles from Glenwood, NM, at the end of NM Hwy 174 (Catwalk Road).
Parking:
The parking area is paved and marked.
Activities
Hiking
SHOW
Backpacking
The Catwalk National Recreation Trail #207 becomes a forest trail that leads into the Gila Wilderness. The area beginning at the .5 milepost on the Catwalk National Recreation Trail (#207), Whitewater Creek Trail (#207.1) and Whitewater Creek beyond the fiberglass bridge, south and north of the Whitewater Canyon Rim are an "enter at your own risk" area. The area heading along Whitewater Creek east on the Catwalk National Recreation Trail (#207), and Whitewater Creek Trail (#207.1) to the intersection of the Gold Dust Trail (#41) and Whitewater Creek Trail (#207.1) can be hazardous to public safety.
The Catwalk National Recreation Trail comprises the first .5 miles of trail #207. This should take between 1 and 1.5 hours for a round trip. The first 0.5 miles is universal design trail with ADA accessibility. If you chose the loop back on the side of the trail that is part of the original CCC built system, it is not ADA accessible.
SHOW
