The Catwalk, Glenwood, New Mexico: The Catwalk Recreation Trail is one of New Mexico's hidden treasures, and one of the only places where I don't mind finding a bunch of tourists. In...

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

The Catwalk Recreation Trail is one of New Mexico's hidden treasures, and one of the only places where I don't mind finding a bunch of tourists. In fact, because it is in the next county and a ninety-minute drive and there's a day fee, I consider myself a tourist there too. Perhaps it's because of the negative ions generated by all that rushing water, but everyone always seems to be in excellent spirits at the Catwalk. They'd have to have something wrong with them not to be.

Mining activity began in the 1890's when gold was discovered in the mountains above this deep canyon, so a series of bridges and catwalks was constructed to get from place to place. Things tend to wash away in canyons, and in the 1930's the CCC got involved and rebuilt it all. Over the decades more repairs and replacements were needed, but it was all too much for the 2013 flood that followed a massive wildfire the year before. The powers that be had the rare foresight to get in there and disassemble everything they could after the fire, and I recall various Glenwood residents making fun of their efforts, saying they were now the "laughing stock" of Catron County with what seemed like ridiculous overkill in the name of safety, including a vastly widened drainage system where Whitewater Creek passes under the highway. They should have saved their criticism, because the ensuing flood sent waters measuring 43 feet deep down the narrow canyon, carrying with it the remaining metal structures as well as huge sycamore trees and pretty much everything else. Even with all the shoring up and widening of the creek bed, the flood went over the highway five miles downstream from the Catwalk Trail.

A lot of people thought it was foolish to rebuild, but I am grateful that they did. Each time I have returned since the flooding things have improved (and I am ashamed to say I don't visit often enough), and this last time, a few days ago, I was thrilled to find that, with a little wading, the canyon can now be navigated again to the point where it joins a remote but beautiful and popular trail that goes for miles and joins others in a trail system that was largely obliterated by that fire.

Even if you never left the picnic area you would be improved merely by paying your three dollars and sitting under the giant Arizona sycamores that were spared, and hearing the water and the birds and the breeze and people's laughter. Here is a selection of photos from my visit. The creek is relatively low but still dauntingly powerful. In some photos you can see the somehow pleasing mixture of natural and structual features, including an incredibly steep stairway that is no longer really accessible and leads to nothing. I hope that you enjoy these, and that they give you a sense of the awe you would feel if you were actually there.

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Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Wow, what a pretty area and very nicely shot

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Curmudgeon wrote:

Wow, what a pretty area and very nicely shot

Thank you. It is gorgeous--you should come visit!

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Very fine and appealing series.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Gorgeous tour! And you did not have to haul water or empty trail cams.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice set!

NMGal Loc: NE NM

A really gorgeous place.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

SWFeral wrote:

The Catwalk Recreation Trail is one of New Mexico's hidden treasures, and one of the only places where I don't mind finding a bunch of tourists. In fact, because it is in the next county and a ninety-minute drive and there's a day fee, I consider myself a tourist there too. Perhaps it's because of the negative ions generated by all that rushing water, but everyone always seems to be in excellent spirits at the Catwalk. They'd have to have something wrong with them not to be.

Mining activity began in the 1890's when gold was discovered in the mountains above this deep canyon, so a series of bridges and catwalks was constructed to get from place to place. Things tend to wash away in canyons, and in the 1930's the CCC got involved and rebuilt it all. Over the decades more repairs and replacements were needed, but it was all too much for the 2013 flood that followed a massive wildfire the year before. The powers that be had the rare foresight to get in there and disassemble everything they could after the fire, and I recall various Glenwood residents making fun of their efforts, saying they were now the "laughing stock" of Catron County with what seemed like ridiculous overkill in the name of safety, including a vastly widened drainage system where Whitewater Creek passes under the highway. They should have saved their criticism, because the ensuing flood sent waters measuring 43 feet deep down the narrow canyon, carrying with it the remaining metal structures as well as huge sycamore trees and pretty much everything else. Even with all the shoring up and widening of the creek bed, the flood went over the highway five miles downstream from the Catwalk Trail.

A lot of people thought it was foolish to rebuild, but I am grateful that they did. Each time I have returned since the flooding things have improved (and I am ashamed to say I don't visit often enough), and this last time, a few days ago, I was thrilled to find that, with a little wading, the canyon can now be navigated again to the point where it joins a remote but beautiful and popular trail that goes for miles and joins others in a trail system that was largely obliterated by that fire.

Even if you never left the picnic area you would be improved merely by paying your three dollars and sitting under the giant Arizona sycamores that were spared, and hearing the water and the birds and the breeze and people's laughter. Here is a selection of photos from my visit. The creek is relatively low but still dauntingly powerful. In some photos you can see the somehow pleasing mixture of natural and structual features, including an incredibly steep stairway that is no longer really accessible and leads to nothing. I hope that you enjoy these, and that they give you a sense of the awe you would feel if you were actually there.

The Catwalk Recreation Trail is one of New Mexico'... (show quote)

Thanks. I'm going to NM/AZ in October and hadn't come across this in my searches. Looks good.

cliff Hilbert Loc: Plano, TX

Great shots, I can’t choose which one I like best, they’re all beautiful.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Great photos of that awesome location!! I love, love, love #1 and #4!! #5 and #7 look like great spots for beating the excessive heat!!

Dodie

jrvinson45 Loc: Buckeye, AZ

SWFeral wrote:

The Catwalk Recreation Trail is one of New Mexico's hidden treasures, and one of the only places where I don't mind finding a bunch of tourists. In fact, because it is in the next county and a ninety-minute drive and there's a day fee, I consider myself a tourist there too. Perhaps it's because of the negative ions generated by all that rushing water, but everyone always seems to be in excellent spirits at the Catwalk. They'd have to have something wrong with them not to be.

Mining activity began in the 1890's when gold was discovered in the mountains above this deep canyon, so a series of bridges and catwalks was constructed to get from place to place. Things tend to wash away in canyons, and in the 1930's the CCC got involved and rebuilt it all. Over the decades more repairs and replacements were needed, but it was all too much for the 2013 flood that followed a massive wildfire the year before. The powers that be had the rare foresight to get in there and disassemble everything they could after the fire, and I recall various Glenwood residents making fun of their efforts, saying they were now the "laughing stock" of Catron County with what seemed like ridiculous overkill in the name of safety, including a vastly widened drainage system where Whitewater Creek passes under the highway. They should have saved their criticism, because the ensuing flood sent waters measuring 43 feet deep down the narrow canyon, carrying with it the remaining metal structures as well as huge sycamore trees and pretty much everything else. Even with all the shoring up and widening of the creek bed, the flood went over the highway five miles downstream from the Catwalk Trail.

A lot of people thought it was foolish to rebuild, but I am grateful that they did. Each time I have returned since the flooding things have improved (and I am ashamed to say I don't visit often enough), and this last time, a few days ago, I was thrilled to find that, with a little wading, the canyon can now be navigated again to the point where it joins a remote but beautiful and popular trail that goes for miles and joins others in a trail system that was largely obliterated by that fire.

Even if you never left the picnic area you would be improved merely by paying your three dollars and sitting under the giant Arizona sycamores that were spared, and hearing the water and the birds and the breeze and people's laughter. Here is a selection of photos from my visit. The creek is relatively low but still dauntingly powerful. In some photos you can see the somehow pleasing mixture of natural and structual features, including an incredibly steep stairway that is no longer really accessible and leads to nothing. I hope that you enjoy these, and that they give you a sense of the awe you would feel if you were actually there.

The Catwalk Recreation Trail is one of New Mexico'... (show quote)

This appears to be one of the more inviting places I’ve seen on UHH. All but #2; I’m afraid. That is a pretty intimidating pov. If I were there and glanced up to see that outcrop I would definitely hustle my bustle right out of there.🤓 It appears there’s a lot to learn and enjoy in this little patch of the world thanks for the tour. I will try to get there sooner than later. Great set!

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Looks like a very pretty area SWFeral.

Don

LeeK Loc: Washington State

Absolutely gorgeous and well taken shots?!!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

vicksart wrote:

Very fine and appealing series.

Thanks. I've been to the Catwalk countless times since I moved here in 1987 and it never gets old.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

UTMike wrote:

Gorgeous tour! And you did not have to haul water or empty trail cams.

You're right about that, and boy am I getting weary of hauling water--where's our rain?? I wouldn't mind setting up a camera in that canyon though, beyond where all the people are...