City of Rocks State Park, NM - Part 4 - The Catwalk, New Mexico

The Catwalk, a National Recreation trail along the canyon of Whitewater Creek, is a unique feature of southwestern New Mexico. Located five miles east of Glenwood (take Hwy. 180 to 174), it presents an always vibrant journey along a path reflecting the region's mining history. The canyon was used as a hideout by both Geronimo and Butch Cassidy.
The Catwalk follows the path of the pipeline built in the 1890s to deliver water to the mining town of Graham. Workmen who had to enter the canyon by crawling atop the narrow pipeline named the route the "Catwalk."

In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilt the Catwalk as a recreation area for the Gila National Forest. The Forest Service built the metal walkway in the 1960s. Parts of the trail have been rebuilt several times since then due to the flooding of Whitewater Creek.  (http://www.southernnewmexico.com/Articles/Southwest/Catron/TheCatwalk.html)

This place is absolutely amazing.  A great hike, even though we didn't finish it.  It is completely handicapped accessible for about 0.5 miles, maybe a little further - even the "catwalk" metal walkway is accessible which was terrific for Mom.


This area is also marked for birdwatching and we saw several 'birders' whispering and pointing into trees and bushes.

Raymona on the Catwalk

Dad & Jake

Mom on the Catwalk

Jake, Mom & Dad

Bryan at Catwalk