Catwalk Trail

What was once a mining site, has now been transformed into a gorgeous hike above a flowing river. The Catwalk Trail is a simple hike with beautiful views all around various pools, waterfalls, and a river flowing through Whitewater Canyon.

A Bit of History

In 1893, a water pipeline was built along Whitewater Canyon, which provided water for the small town of Graham. The mill only lasted about 10 years, and was later rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. The trail was built following the path of the old pipelines, and in 1978 it became a National Recreation Trail. This trail has now become one of the most visited areas on the Gila National Forest.

The Drive to the Trail

Catwalk trail is about 5 miles away from Glenwood, NM. You have to go through a narrow road which leads to the parking lot of the trail. When we visited, which was in early January (January 6, 2023, to be exact), the road was a bit rough from previous storms, and we did have to drive through a small river. Thankfully we had a truck, so it was not bad at all, but we do recommend driving with caution if you do have a smaller vehicle.

The parking lot is pretty spacious, so you don't have to worry about not finding parking. There is, however, a parking fee of $3, which is used to help fund annual operations and maintenance expenses. When we arrived (around 11:30pm), there was only one other car there. So, we pretty much had the park all to ourselves.

The Trail

The start of the trial leads you to a picnic area next to the beautiful river which is on the right side of the entrance. We spent a long while listening to the water run through the river. It was very peaceful and satisfying.

Most of the trail is paved and easy to walk through and is only about a 3-mile hike. Half of this trail is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and there is an easy access point to the picnic area as well.

We walked along the river for a while then continued our way to the plank-like hanging walkway.

At the end of this walkway there is a very small waterfall, which we crossed to continue our hike. This area is no longer ADA accessible and is a little unstable when walking through it. Make sure you have good hiking shoes because your feet will get wet.

Once you get past this area, it is only a short walk to the big waterfall. The rest of the trail was closed off due to the falling rocks, so we sadly had to end our hike there. On our way back, we spent some time at the picnic area taking more pictures, then we called it a day.

See our gallery down below for more pictures on this trail.

Tips and Things to Know

The Catwalk Trail is open year-round and is a day use area only, from dawn to dusk. No reservations are needed, however like mentioned before, there is a $3 parking fee. The whole hike takes about 1-2 hours to complete, but if you're like us and love to take your time and enjoy every view, it can definitely take longer. It is also dog friendly but there are a few restrictions that need to be followed. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and make sure you clean out your dog's solid waste.

Few tips to follow:

• There is no water available so make sure you hydrate well and bring extra water.
• Wear your sunscreen!
• We recommend you wear comfortable shoes.
• Be mindful of other people.
• Watch out for wildlife.
• Pick up your trash.
• Have fun!

For more questions about Catwalk Recreation Area, you can contact the Glenwood Ranger District at (575) 539-2481.

Where We Stayed

We decided to boondock at a campground just a few miles from Glenwood. The campground is called Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS). It is one of 14 certified IDA Sanctuaries in the world and the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located on National Forest System lands. This campground is one of the best places to stay at to stargaze because of the reduced light pollution. Unfortunately, the sky was very cloudy when we went, and we weren't able to see any stars.

No reservations are needed, and no fees required; however, it is first come, first served and there is a 14-day stay limit. This campground is equipped with tent camping areas, RV parking, and toilets. It has 8 camping sites with a maximum trailer size of 36 feet. There are no water hookups available.

These are a few restrictions listed on their website:

• No parking on the telescope observation pads.
• No campfires on the telescope observation pads.
• Use a red filter over your flashlight lens.
• Try to arrive before dark to minimize light pollution from headlights.
• Quiet hours are (recommend no generator use) between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

We truly enjoyed our stay here and would recommend to anyone who is looking for a free place to stay.

For more questions about Cosmic Campground, you can contact Forest Service or call the Glenwood Ranger District Phone: (575)539-2481.

Gallery

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