Catwalk Recreation Trail and Whitewater Creek in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Catwalk Recreation Trail and Whitewater Creek Gila National Forest, NM

Class 1 4.2 miles 700 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Oct 13, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Catwalk Recreation Trail and Whitewater Creek GPX Track

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This route may have access issues.

As of November 2020, a short section of Whitewater Creek is closed about a mile from the trailhead.

"The Catwalk" is a troublesome feature that the NFS seems to have struggled keeping open to tourism over the last few years. Each time I've tried to visit, it's been closed to due construction or flash flooding. Finally, I could check out the metal walking platforms leading through the narrows of Whitewater Creek. I feel like they probably should have just put the likely exorbitant amount of money to maintain this silly attraction elsewhere,  perhaps to maintain the ever-degrading Gila trail system or add bathrooms at popular trailhead. To be fair, I did visit when Whitewater Creek wasn't flowing, so I could have just walked along the creekbed, whereas other times of year I suppose not having The Catwalk would mean you'd have to *gasp* get wet to hike through the narrows. Also, historically The Catwalk was little more than a plank on some piping so this whole getup seems a little silly to me.

The Catwalk National Recreation Trail? begins from an overly-developed trailhead, and soon after I found myself scurrying along the metal platforms above the narrowest section of the canyon. It's definitely an interesting and unique trail, but any sort of hardware bolted into canyon walls when unnecessary never sits well with me, especially since the canyon is nontechnical. Some stairs led down to the canyon floor, where the trail continues on a trail, gaining elevation out of the narrows. The walls became tall and pretty, and along the way I passed a couple of tiny waterfalls and creek crossings. I noticed the remainder of parts of The Catwalk that were not repaired on my right, heavy erosion on the cliffs wiping out large sections of the narrower metal/plank system above.

The trail continued along the bank of Whitewater Creek, some concrete along portions of it, before coming to the remnants of what seems to have been a bridge spanning a boulder-strewn portion of the canyon. The trail contines up the left side of the canyon and meets a junction with the Gold Dust Trail (apparently used more by horses to access Whitewater Creek since they're not allowed on The Catwalk). The trail continues on the left side of the creek for the rest of the hike from here, where it undulates a bit. At one point, the trail gains a bit of vertical and I was happily surprised to see a gorgeous view to the east up the canyon. The trail stayed high for a while before sloping back down to Whitewater Creek. I followed the trail a bit longer, and when I realized it was getting late, turned around. Unfortunately, a better turn-around point would have been a quarter mile away at some old power plant ruins, which I marked on my attached map. I only learned about these later. I should note that the Whitewater Creek Trail was overall is good shape, but did have some eroded sections that made it a little harder to follow than the much more obvious and developed section of the hike.

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Catwalk National Recreation Trail trailhead.
Catwalk National Recreation Trail trailhead.
After a short hike, the trail enters the narrows on "the catwalk".
After a short hike, the trail enters the narrows on "the catwalk".
Looking back at some stairs leading to the Catwalk.
Looking back at some stairs leading to the Catwalk.
Image 3 from gallery
The Catwalk.
The Catwalk.
Catwalk National Recreation Trail.
Catwalk National Recreation Trail.
The catwalk was pretty short-lived, ending with some stairs down into the canyon.
The catwalk was pretty short-lived, ending with some stairs down into the canyon.
Looking up-canyon.
Looking up-canyon.
Looking back toward the catwalk.
Looking back toward the catwalk.
Image 9 from gallery
Continuing up Whitewater Creek's narrows.
Continuing up Whitewater Creek's narrows.
Image 11 from gallery
Minor waterfalls along the way.
Minor waterfalls along the way.
A closed-off section of the catwalk. Along the trail, I could see the eroded old remains on the cliffside. This staircase was used to access the now-closed portion.
A closed-off section of the catwalk. Along the trail, I could see the eroded old remains on the cliffside. This staircase was used to access the now-closed portion.
Continuing up Whitewater Creek.
Continuing up Whitewater Creek.
Pretty sections of trail.
Pretty sections of trail.
Image 16 from gallery
Image 17 from gallery
The trail continues up the canyon, staying to the left of the boulder-strewn section visible on the right.
The trail continues up the canyon, staying to the left of the boulder-strewn section visible on the right.
Looking back the way I came. You can see the bolted remains of what I believe was a bridge of some sort.
Looking back the way I came. You can see the bolted remains of what I believe was a bridge of some sort.
Continuing out of the narrows.
Continuing out of the narrows.
Junction with the gold Dust Trail.
Junction with the gold Dust Trail.
Continuing along the Whitewater Creek Trail, which parallels the creek on its left for the rest of the hike.
Continuing along the Whitewater Creek Trail, which parallels the creek on its left for the rest of the hike.
Image 23 from gallery
Image 24 from gallery
After a short ascent, I got this nice view looking up the canyon, Whitewater Creek visible below.
After a short ascent, I got this nice view looking up the canyon, Whitewater Creek visible below.
The trail hugs the cliff, a very pretty section.
The trail hugs the cliff, a very pretty section.
The trail drops back down to Whitewater Creek and continues following it.
The trail drops back down to Whitewater Creek and continues following it.
Image 28 from gallery
Looking back at an interesting part of the Whitewater Creek Trail.
Looking back at an interesting part of the Whitewater Creek Trail.
Image 30 from gallery
I turned around here. It looked pretty farther ahead, but it was getting dark and I knew the trail continued forever. I should have gone a bit farther because there was apparently some old power plant ruins farther up.
I turned around here. It looked pretty farther ahead, but it was getting dark and I knew the trail continued forever. I should have gone a bit farther because there was apparently some old power plant ruins farther up.
On the way back, a shot of the Catwalk.
On the way back, a shot of the Catwalk.
Another shot of the Catwalk on my way back.
Another shot of the Catwalk on my way back.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!