USA - Catwalk Canyon - New Mexico

[ChrisW]

In February 09 I took a trip to see the Mogollon cliff dwellings in the Gila National Forest area in the South West area of New Mexico, whilst planning the route I noticed on the map 'Catwalk Canyon' - a quick search on google told me it was a structure used by miners to go to and from work until the mines closed, the catwalk was then refurbished and opened as part of a national recreation area.

The pictures of a steel structure attached to the side of a canyon wall intrigued me sufficiently to take a short detour and walk the 'catwalk'.

Arriving in the car park, it seems to be a very well looked after location



A quick look at the map shows it is a straight up and down route with the opportunity of a slight detour toward the end, the path at the beginning is suitable for all ages.


It is soon apparent that the earlier path is only to ensure all ages can reach the associated picnic area and I turned onto the miners trail.


Soon around the corner the start of the 'catwalk' comes into view.


Tethered to the canyon wall with steel cable and supported beneath by cantilever posts it is quite a thing


The canyon wall provides a welcome shade as you meander through the maze of catwalk looking down through the grills at the water below in this surreal wander.


The metal twister continues in a seemingly endless snake along the cool canyon wall


There are occasional viewpoints and seating areas looking into the canyon at the myriad of small waterfalls that bubble below



The catwalk breaks after a while and opens out further


mind your head......


Climbing up the canyon on the twisting pathway provides views back down to the crossings below


The path is ever changing in appearance and moves between huge rocks with regularity


looking back down a steep incline with handrail provided


Occasionally a ladder ensures a safe traverse of loose scree on an incline


These are a little easier than stepping stones


climbing hi up the canyon wall again I look back to see two people on a bridge below


A cable bridge provides a swaying flexible connection to the final stages


Soon after the swaying bridge is the end of the walk beneath an overhang looking down to what would be a beautiful waterfall at the right time of year


The return is the same path until close to the end where a slight detour is available


After descending these steps I couldn't help but wonder about that bent step, falling rocks I hope rather than falling heads...


Finally a long metal bridge back across the river to the picnic area and car park, definitely one of the strangest walks I've ever done but really enjoyable and interesting.


The USA is stuffed full of such things and road trips are the only way to find them, they are virtually always free entry, and free car parking as well as being well maintained...now that is my idea of tax dollars at work!!

[LeithySuburbs]

Ah, the perfect blue sky and rocky canyons of the US south west .

It may be because I've visited places like this in the US as a "tourist" rather than a hardened local walker, but I also really enjoy these sorts of walk and their ease of access (provided - as you say - you have car).

However, I try to remember that there are not the same rights to land access in the US as here and the result is that federal land can get very busy! Although I think we have wonderful access laws in Scotland, if we are to go down the NP route (which we now have), I feel that we need to try to find a medium between the US NP model and our own, but that's probably another debate .

[PauloUK77]

That looks an interesting little adventure.I would love to head to the USA to explore on foot there looks to be some great places.

[HighlandSC]

Another great USA report Chris This continues to wet my appetite for the sort of things I'll be finding over there- I move over in early 2012

[ChrisW]

Ah, the perfect blue sky and rocky canyons of the US south west .

It may be because I've visited places like this in the US as a "tourist" rather than a hardened local walker, but I also really enjoy these sorts of walk and their ease of access (provided - as you say - you have car).

However, I try to remember that there are not the same rights to land access in the US as here and the result is that federal land can get very busy! Although I think we have wonderful access laws in Scotland, if we are to go down the NP route (which we now have), I feel that we need to try to find a medium between the US NP model and our own, but that's probably another debate .

An interesting point LeithySuburbs, I didn't really think too much about access as there are so many parks in every state that you just don't notice, some of the local state parks are spectacular.

That looks an interesting little adventure.I would love to head to the USA to explore on foot there looks to be some great places.

Almost every type of condition you can imagine, I walked deserts, mountians, rainforest, farmland, swamps and god know what else during my time there....I would recommend Southern Utah...just spectacular

Another great USA report Chris This continues to wet my appetite for the sort of things I'll be finding over there- I move over in early 2012

Thanks HiglandSC, if all goes as expected I hope to be living in Calgary by then, when you have seen enough in the USA you should come up and visit that may take some time though , maybe just when you fancy a change

[tango]

Chris lovely photos, looks like a nice end of the world! was it as quite as it looks or did you manage to keep other people out of the frame?? because i thinks if it was that quite that would have been a Brucey bonus, .

[ChrisW]

Chris lovely photos, looks like a nice end of the world! was it as quite as it looks or did you manage to keep other people out of the frame?? because i thinks if it was that quite that would have been a Brucey bonus, .

Cheers Tango - It was a quiet as it looks mate, just saw 2 guys on a bridge behind me but didn't pass them going in or coming out so not sure what happened there. All of it was blissfully empty. I tended to seek out the 'less used' places as often as I could and had the advantage of mid-week sessions as often as I wanted.

Obviously I did the 'unmissable' tourist stuff - grand canyon, miami, orlando, everglades, niagara falls, new york, philly (liberty bell etc), yellowstone, new orleans, alaska, colorado ....... I think you get the picture

Had a fantastic time and still have some lesser known spots to post, just for their 'quirkiness' - should provide a bit of something different for WH readers.

[tango]

Yeah Chris keep them rolling, always nice to see something different!! with good photos.. , I understand the tourist thing has to be done, but like you say its also very nice to explore & find your own bit of the States.. being that is so massive.. ..keep them coming. Cheers.....