Catwalk Recreation Area | Gila National Forest | Glenwood, New Mexico

Catwalk Recreation Area is a marvel of engineering in the shadow of mining history. An easy & relaxing walk through narrow canyon walls, over a babbling creek, through waterfalls & a swimming hole makes this a destination to seek out.
▬▬ C A C T U S A T L A S . C O M ▬▬
⚪ Read our review - cactusatlas.com/adventures/ca...
⚪ Get more information - cactusatlas.com/information/c...
Located in Whitewater Canyon in the Gila National Forest, the Catwalk Recreation Area is a fantastic place to visit. In addition, the area has an interesting history throughout time.
The creek flowing through the canyon provided electricity and water for the nearby mining town of Graham, also called Whitewater, founded by John T Graham in the early 1890s. Leading to an ore processing mill, pipes were built and bolted to the canyon walls with simple wooden planks attached above. This catwalk is how the area got its name. All was well until around 1913 when the mill was no longer profitable and the town dried up with most leaving the area.
Utilizing the same original path of the pipes, the Civilian Conservation Corps came into the canyon in the 1930s and rebuilt the catwalk. This version lasted until the 1960s when the Forest Service upgraded the catwalk to today’s steel walkways.
In addition to having a history in area mining, the canyon also served as a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the law. Apache leader, Geronimo, utilized the canyon in the late 1800s hiding from US Army soldiers. Gila Apache, or Chiricahua, had been calling this area home for several centuries.
Outlaw Butch Cassidy also sought protection in the canyon while evading the Pinkertons. He had been working as a ranchman herding cattle at the WS Ranch just north of Alma, New Mexico. It is said that once Pinkerton attention was focused on that area, that Cassidy packed up and fled towards the mountains.
Today the Catwalk is open from sunrise to sunset and is a popular destination in the summer months. Throughout the 2 mile trail, visitors can walk on the catwalk above the creek in the footsteps where irrigation pipes once were. The first half-mile of the trail is paved and ADA accessible, however, further along, the paved section ends and dirt trails and stone steps would make accessibility difficult. There are some moderately steep grades in sections.
Should one choose to explore further, there are sections of the trail that cross the creek and provide options to dip into the water. Located near the end of the Catwalk Trail is a popular waterfall-fed “swimming hole” that hikers can use to cool off.
VIDEO FILMED: 06/09/2021
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Catwalk Recreation Area - www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gila/...
⚪ Directions to Catwalk Recreation Area - goo.gl/maps/nVFvwroHwZFKm6ag6
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Intro & Fee Information
01:20 History of Catwalk Recreation Area
02:35 Heading to the Catwalk
04:26 Traversing the Catwalk
06:41 Following Whitewater Creek
09:08 Butterfly Encounter
11:01 Looking up at the Catwalk
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
⚪ Gear we use - www.amazon.com/shop/thecactus...
⚪ See where we've been - www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
⚪ Music from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
(As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.)
_____________________________________________________________
✅ Find us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook - @cactusatlas.
✅ Check out our website - cactusatlas.com
Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! Join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American Southwest. We tour both natural and man-made attractions - National Parks as well as theme parks.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking and day trips as well as campground reviews, and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American Southwest. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

[@lindas5964]

Thank you SO much for presenting your content in a quiet almost spiritual way. Most channels are screaming and talking so fast, camera darting everywhere… this was perfect for presenting the natural beauty and mood.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you so very much! I imagine our style of filming and editing isn't everyone's cup of tea but we try to be a bit different and provide a calmer alternative in our explorations and adventures. Though we do have a tendency for silliness here and there too. 😅

[@lzwnn]

What a great unexpected spot to discover! Loved the history, scenery, the music, and the butterflies were gorgeous! Another fun trip. Loved it!

[@CactusAtlas]

Many thanks! The butterflies were a wonderful surprise. 😊

[@lindsayhengehold5341]

Love this area of New Mexico!

[@CactusAtlas]

Us too. High up on our list to return to as we were short on time during this trip and many more places so see. 😊

[@PanhandleHopper]

Love hearing the history behind the catwalk. And the butterfly encounter was great. How lucky to come across that at the end of the trail.

[@CactusAtlas]

Definitely lucky. Lucky to be informed about them. 😅

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

Good memories. My dad took my brother and me to the Catwalk when were very young. It had to be in the early 1960s, so perhaps it was the old trail. The Catwalk seemed new and sparkly at the time though. I remember being a little scared of the heights but pressed on. Lucky you to see all those butterflies!

[@CactusAtlas]

It's a pretty cool place, right? Definitely seems like the kind of place that would be kid friendly. And yeah, the butterflies was a nice surprise! 😄

[@lorirober2536]

Wow! Amazing trail. And those Butterflies! ❤❤❤

[@CactusAtlas]

Right?! Such a great surprise. 😄

[@SwiftyTravels]

Those butterflies!!!! Magical!!!😍😍😍

[@CactusAtlas]

Right?? So many of them just clustered together by the water. Glad the hiker mentioned it!

[@stacyrector8515]

Another place we are visiting in a few weeks. The butterflies were an amazing bonus!!💜

[@CactusAtlas]

They certainly were! Love that area!

[@LyB758]

Love the way you created this video of the Catwalk absolutely beautiful and such a peaceful environment 🙏🏻

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@TerryX2Explore]

Wow, what a beautiful place to explore! Absolutely love the Catwalk! Definitely going on our To Do List! Thanks so much for sharing! 💙Terry and Terri

[@CactusAtlas]

Our pleasure! It's a wonderful place to explore. 😄

[@JerusalemWalker]

Thank you for sharing my friend! Keep safe!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks so much!

[@gosiarhomecooking5123]

Hello New Mexico , wonderful walk and very interesting history of Catwalk I really Love it/ Gosia

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks so very much. 👍

[@cippiecips08]

I am going with my family the week of May. I am so excited!

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it! 😄

[@stephenblake6386]

Thanks for sharing! What a great video. Headed to the area in about 2 weeks and was looking for things to do. Ran across the Catwalk Recreation Area. It's really helpful to be able to see it. Will definitely visit!

[@CactusAtlas]

Glad it was helpful! It's a fantastic area. Hope you have a great visit! 😄👍

[@rainbowstalkerthe2nd587]

Went there as a kid and saw bighorn sheep looking down at me. Idk if they are still found in the area or if they have been extirpated but it was a magical experience at the time. Like seeing a unicorn. There are also more secluded sections that have been eroded or broken off by rockslides that you have to climb through. It’s probably not the safest but I did it. Magical area.

[@CactusAtlas]

I can only imagine how that experience felt looking UP and seeing bighorn sheep. How awesome! 😄

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

That cakewalk was as cool as I thought it would be 😀 That was neat to see all those butterflies 🦋

[@CactusAtlas]

Glad you enjoyed it. And yeah, those butterflies were a special ending and pretty wild. 😄

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Another great video. Now I really wish Catwalk would have been open when we were in the area. So cool.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! You're the second person that mentioned it being closed when ion the area to visit. Hopefully there's a next time but until then we're glad to bring it to others. 😄

[@annasnyder968]

Thank you again for taking us along. Butterflies were amazing. Seems so peaceful and calm.

[@CactusAtlas]

Anytime! And the moment was very serene indeed. Thanks so much for watching. 😄

[@gstiles7]

OMG that is an awesome area!

[@CactusAtlas]

It's really is. Can't see I've seen anything like it before.

[@Soopertraveler]

This was awesome tour. Loved the amazing structures of rock, and the boardwalk accompanying giving a unique perspective of the landscape. Never knew about this place, but now I do :) Thanks for sharing.

[@CactusAtlas]

Anytime! Glad to bring something new to you. You're right about the perspective of the place. Really adds to it.

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank You

[@CactusAtlas]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching! 😀

[@AlphaTraveler1]

Thanks for bringing us with you here. I have never seen or heard of the place. It is like sights unseen. Very cool. LIKE 29. 👍👍👍

[@CactusAtlas]

Anytime! We hadn't heard of it until somewhat recently as well. 😄

[@DaPaC1978]

Great video! I’ve lived in NM going on 15 yrs and still haven’t hiked the catwalk! You’d probably love Tent Rocks and Bandelier! Bandelier was what got me to move here from MN!

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh believe me... there's a lot of New Mexico on our list. Well, a lot of places in general 😅 but definitely feeling a pull to head back as soon as we can. Funny you mention Bandelier... our friend, Swifty Travels (kzbin.info), just went there and her video on it was this week. Definitely looks like an amazing place & if any place was to be a catalyst for moving, I can see why that would be! 😄

[@SwiftyTravels]

@@CactusAtlas hey!! 😀😀😀 Thanks for the shoutout!!👍

[@SwiftyTravels]

I live here too and still haven’t made it to the Catwalk! I was in the area last year but it was closed!

[@doxielover2814]

A very nice place to cool off in the shade. Interesting history of the place with the cat walk becoming a permanent walkways after being involved in mining era. Never knew this existed before. It looks like such a peaceful place and the sounds of babbling water and soft peaceful music. Well done.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you very much! We didn't know it existed either until researching places along the way to our furthest destination. Makes one wonder how many other wonders to explore are out there. 😃

[@CricketGirrl]

One thing to keep in mind is the first bit of the trail is blacktop and VERY hard on dog pads in the summer.

[@CactusAtlas]

Absolutely. Nothing worse than burnt paws. 😢

[@aitaiyu7323]

It is great to be near to nature and have a walk, as for this time I be with you for this virtual walk to nature ☺️

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Thanks for visiting!

[@johnnyduong77]

I commented on one of your past video about Catwalk Rec Area and would love to see you do a video on it. I'm glad you visited my New Mexico! I'm a long time subscriber and love all your contents!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks for sticking around with us! We definitely need to head back to New Mexico again. So many more places to see.

[@tinabeane]

So glad you were able to check it out. Love the narration by Amy. Part of it was closed due to a fire when I was there in March, glad it was open access for you. Oh those butterflies were a nice surprise, I've never seen so many like that either. Awesome video!!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks so much! We've never seen so many in one place either. Crazy, right?

[@destinationdero]

Such beauty. I enjoy hikes like this in the south west

[@CactusAtlas]

Certainly different from the usual desert hikes, isn't it? If you get hot, you can just dip in the water! 😂

[@Feribrat99]

The butterflies and the humming birds migrate a couple of times a year through New Mexico, The ones you see are born on the trip down and then the ones you see coming back are a different generation of the same kind, they instinctually know where to go and are blown off path by storms and such, but most find their way.

[@CactusAtlas]

Fascinating! Thanks for the info! 😄👍

[@lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

Oh wow! I never heard of this place before...I live in Phoenix too and to know that's not that far...I definitely wanna go there! I'm a photographer and that looks like a dream to shoot!

[@CactusAtlas]

There's lots of cool places in there to photograph. I'm sure you'll love it! 👍

[@karkule5919]

There's a girl on here that did a better video going much further up the falls, more to see in case you decide to go.

[@dorabeltran5086]

Amazing place! Thank you Glenn and Amy!you wife had very professional narrative voice!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed the video. 😀

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

There must be caves in the rock's. Very neat.. Thank you

[@CactusAtlas]

It's a fun place to explore. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

@@CactusAtlas my family is in Tucson, Mariana, Tempe.. 🏜️ Foxie Dog might have to ride her Hardly A Davidson motorcycle down too🤗🤗🦊🏍️ my brother owns Arapahoe Tree Surgeon of Arizona. Bob and Kelly. 🌵🌴

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

@@CactusAtlas what's a good month to go down there? I will be in Tucson for the month in mid October to mid November, or I can change it to the month of October. It's just Foxie Dog and her hoomom🏜️🦊🤗

[@CactusAtlas]

October shouldn't be a bad time to visit. Monsoon season should be ending, temps are cooling off to about upper 80s/lower 90s. 👍

[@awitnessuntoallnations]

Thanks for making us aware of the Catwalk Recreation Area and sharing your experience with us! Helpful video when planning a day there! We always enjoy hikes near flowing water. Unexpected beauty! We haven't done any adventuring in New Mexico yet, but this makes us want to. 😊👍

[@CactusAtlas]

Your most welcome! New Mexico is fairly new to us but we can't wait to go back.

[@mariacano9413]

T

[@bbear8947]

Wow!!!! The butterfly area!!! How beautiful and peaceful what an experience!!!! Based on your hike do you think its dog friendly?

[@CactusAtlas]

We think so! We don't own a dog but based on what we're seeing online and what we saw it seems to be pretty popular with dog owners. 👍

[@bbear8947]

@@CactusAtlas thanks!!!! Your video motivated us to finally go!!!! We wanted our goldens to join 🐕🐕 Thanks again for sharing with us. Happy safe travels on your next adventure

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you so much! Have a great time!