Tag Archives: scenic driving

The original “Catwalk” supported waterlines instead of tourists

Whitewater Canyon was once home to a lumber operation, and water was needed to generate power for the mill.  Thus in 1893 was born “The Catwalk,” a narrow wooden walkway suspended from metal anchors and supports driven into the sheer walls lining the canyon.  Initially the Catwalk supported a 4-inch/10-centimeter pipeline.  In 1897 the Catwalk supported a larger 18-inch/46-centimeter pipeline.  That old wooden structure has been destroyed several times over the decades, most often by flood.  But in 2012 a new threat took out the Catwalk — the infamous Whitewater-Baldy Complex wildfire.  That wildfire was the worst in New Mexico history, eventually destroying nearly 300,000 acres of forest and range land.

The suspended Catwalk

It looked for a while as if the Catwalk would not be rebuilt, as the fire undid an extensive rebuild following a major flood that had occurred just a few years earlier.  Fortunately the resources were allocated for another reconstruction, this elevating the walkway higher up the canyon walls and replacing wood with steel.

The view from the railing

The hike itself is not difficult at all.  There is a little climbing required at the far end of the trail if you want to venture off the metal catwalk and proceed farther up the canyon, but it’s not too bad if you’re reasonably fit.

The remnants of the old Catwalk — Destroyed by flood and fire

Sheer cliffs line much of the canyon, offering some really spectacular photo opportunities.

Catwalk Trail

Stunning green vegetation and reddish walls add color depth to your images, as well.

Catwalk Trail

All in all, this is a very worthwhile place to visit.  The actual Catwalk rides along both sides of the canyon, and runs for 1.1 miles/1.8 kilometers.  The entire trail stretches an easy 2.25 miles/3.6 kilometers, and can easily be accomplished inside of two hours including multiple stops along the way for photography.

Whitewater Canyon

Now for today’s photo gallery of this adventure.  Click on any image below to enlarge and bring up today’s slide show:

Catwalk Trail

The suspended Catwalk

Whitewater Creek

Solid ground portion of Catwalk Trail

Catwalk Trail

Catwalk Trail

Catwalk Trail

Catwalk Trail

Catwalk Trail

Along the road to Catwalk Recreation Area

Starting from Silver City and heading west and then north along U.S. 180 one can reach the Catwalk Recreation Area in about an hour and fifteen minutes.  It’s a 66-mile drive through some very beautiful ranch land with spectacular formations along the way.

Along the road to Catwalk Recreation Area

In some areas it’s also a lot greener than you would think.

Along the road to Catwalk Recreation Area

Of course I also mentioned that this is ranch land.  Here you’ll find cattle ranching operations as well as horse farms.

Moon Ranch

A little Rodeo bragging

From U.S. 180 you turn right and head eastbound on New Mexico State Road 174 (NM 174 on maps) north of Buckhorn, Pleasanton, and Glenwood.  Before we take that turn I’m going to bring you on a slight detour to the north.  The New Mexico ghost mining town of Mogollon along Bursum Road/NM 159.  Mogollon is now privately owned and up for tourism, but the road there is not exactly sedan friendly.  We turned back before we reached there because of a combination of narrow, pitted roads more suitable for four-wheel drive and an approaching thunderstorm that would later that day threaten our safe return to Silver City.  Indeed, had we persevered we would have later been caught in some very serious flooding.  At any rate, coming back down the hill on NM 159 afforded us some very special views of the valley below.

The view descending from Mogollon Ghost Town

The view descending from Mogollon Ghost Town

This attempt to make Mogollon came after our excursion into the Catwalk Recreation Area, so I’ll get back to that portion of the road trip.  One mile after turning onto NM 174 you’ll make another right turn, this time onto Catwalk Road.  Just four miles later you reach the parking area for the Whitewater Creek Picnic Area and the Catwalk.  Be careful, as this road does wash out in places under the slightest of provocations.

Entering the Catwalk Recreation Area

It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the picnic area and hiking trail, but you do have to put some money into the parking fee bin and place a hanger on your rear view mirror showing you paid . . . or just display on your mirror your National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass.  It’s a great way to spend $10, and it’s a lifetime pass for those who are 62 and over.

Whitewater Canyon

Whitewater Canyon and Catwalk National Recreation Trail are located within the Gila National Forest.  Now for a little bit of Federal Government trivia:  The National Park Service, which has jurisdiction over national parks and monuments such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park and White Sands National Monument falls under the Department of the Interior.  National forests, however, are managed by the Department of Agriculture.

Whitewater Canyon

Catwalk Trail

Now for object of this expedition.  That would be the Catwalk Trail running along Whitewater Creek, so called because the creek churns to a raging flood at the slightest downpour.  But on this trip it was relatively calm.

Catwalk Trail

Catwalk Trail

Catwalk Trail

On Wednesday we reach the world famous Catwalk suspended some 25 feet/7.6 meters above the creek.