catwalk trail

The trail is closed as of January 2015 but is being rebuilt. No indication of when it will reopen. We drove 4 hours to get here only to find it closed. :(

This is a hidden gem in west NM. We travelled through on our way to Holbrook AZ. And we stayed a night in the White Water Motel, thar was great, one of the best Motels we ever stayed. Old, hisotoric, very nica and clean. Not the standart of today, just good old Americana. Owned by a very nice German Lady. We will be back! The carwalk is nice to see and to walk.

First of all, the ranger station in Glenwood, NM was closed tight mid-morning on a Saturday. We drove toward the Catwalk Trail, crossed a dangerous bridge with high running water, only to discover the road was closed to the Catwalk Trail! The town of Glenwood is suffering because of the closure of this supposed wonderful hike and site. We are disappointed for ourselves and for the economy of the town. The Federal Government should be ashamed! We talked to plenty of local people who are frustrated with the lack of concern for this historic site.

We had been recommended to visit the Catwalk in Deming but unbeknown to us the majority of the trail has been destroyed by fire and then flood leaving a pleasant half mile ramble up the canyon until the route is barred. This attraction is the only one of significance in the area and apparently had a big draw. It needs to be fixed urgently because the knock on effect on the local community has been severe causing some businesses to shut down. The rating I have given is purely because we were expecting much more.

they had a flood that piled very large trees and rocks onto the catwalk bridge and trail, you could only go about 1/2 mile.

I have been to this area twice before several years ago and have enjoyed going through canyon on the catwalk. This time it was not possible because the whole structure had been washed off. According to the plaque at the entrance floods are not rare and they have had over 15 floods in the past 40 years, or was it 40 floods in 15 years?. I am not sure up to what extent the structure was destroyed in previous floods, but this time we could walk only a very short distance before we came to a huge locked iron gate. Down in the distance, however, we did see a young couple with a baby hanging out close to the water. There was a hole in the fence, but not sure why they wanted to take a baby with them. When we were taking photos they kind of disappeared behind the rubble, probably thinking we were rangers?Anyway, Catwalk was not the only place washed off. We took a hike on the Windy gap and had a hard time finding the way. There was a sign warning that the trail was not maintained and one could get lost. After walking a couple of hours we were totally lost and had to turn back. Looking around the huge rocks we could easily understand how a heavy rain could create a deluge..Anyway, it would be great if the Catwalk and the other hiking trails can be repaired. Whether funds will be available, is the question.

after the big forest fire of 2012, the drainage for the whitewater creek[catwalk area] was severally damaged. there have been major floods at least two years. at present you can't go on the catwalk, but can still pick nick and walk some of the trails. a lot of the big trees are still there and the creek is crystal clear. some people have downgraded the area due to acts of nature, which seems ridiculous to me. there are other things to see in this area and also silver city, and the gila national forest. we enjoyed our stay at the double T homestead.

Recent floods sent a 20 foot high wall of water down the creek, destroying the Catwalk, Not sure if it will get rebuilt.Source: KOAT TV Channel 7 Albuquerque

this was my first visit and even thought it isn't fully re-opened from the flood damages , caused by the big forest fires, it is a beautiful area. call the local ranger station before you plan your trip, as it is also closed down, during possible flash flood times. the rangers are doing what they can to get thinks fixed, but you know how the government works, or doesn't work. they are very nice, and very well informed, and you will enjoy talking to them. no fee at present, but normally there is a small, per car fee.anyway, go if you can, if you like narrow canyons with sparkling streams, you'll like catwalk. at present you can walk on portions of the catwalk, suspended over the creek, there's lots of big trees, providing shade.silver city also offers other nice sites, gila clif dwellings are great and you can go inside them. if you would like to see a nice quiet older fort, go to fort bayard, many of the currant buildings, including the big hospital were built in the 1920s. you can wander around on your own, or contact them for a possible tour of the museum. the national cemetery is also located right there.

trail was partially closed due to fires in 2012 but we enjoyed exploring the area. A better hike given the closure was the San Francisco Hot Spring.

Sadly, the fire from a few years ago has closed the Catwalk. I'm not sure when it will reopen. It was a nice place to picnic, but we weren't allowed to go further than 1/2 a mile or so into the canyon.

We had visited the Catwalk 4 years ago with our grandchildren & they keep asking when we can go back. My husband & I were camping near Glenwood and decided to hike the Catwalk again because we absolutely loved it! So disappointing to learn they actually dismantled almost all of it in fear of flash floods that might destroy the surrounding towns. The townspeople were opposed to them tearing it down and asked if we could write our senators/congressmen to have it rebuilt. It was so awesome. I think the CCC who built it would be very disappointed at what has happened. Why can't we keep such a beautiful hike open. I think it was tragic that it was torn down and maybe not so necessary after all. The picnic area is still open and quite beautiful but it is so sad we no longer can hike this beautiful, fun, awesome, scenic trail.

I have never seen a place like this any where on earth. It's a fantastic canyon and a wonderfull walk. A lot of it is also wheelchair accessable.

Nice day for a walk and picnic quiet setting Under construction, and blocked off, to bad ,hope they replace and rebilt.

Not exactly easy to get to or a good place to be on a hot summers day. The walk up the narrow canyon is beyond the reach of anyone with any health problems. Nice views, cool streams to wade in if your up to it. I wouldn't drive a long distance to visit just the cat walk.