Repairs to the Catwalk after a rockfall damaged a portion of the trail have been completed. According to a release from the Gila National Forest Office, the Catwalk Trail is once again open from the Whitewater Picnic Area to 1/2 mile along the primitive trail, including the suspended trail, to the Octagon. The park remains open to the public from 8 am to 1 pm daily. After 1 pm, the entire Catwalk National Recreation Area continues to close due to unpredictable monsoon storms which cause flooding to low water crossings on Highway 174.
”We try to keep as much of the Catwalk Trail as possible open to the public although unexpected events such as the rock fall, and flooding of the low water crossings during the current rainy season kept presenting challenges. Our efforts to safely re-open the Catwalk to the Octagon has been in support of the Catwalk’s importance to the local economy, and the many visitors who frequent the area,” Pat Morrison, Glenwood District Ranger, said in the release.
The universal trail remains closed pending completion of inspection and treatment for other potential hazards. The trail system on the western side of the Gila Wilderness was reopened August 9th, after closing due to the Whitewater Baldy Fire last year. Contact the Glenwood Ranger District office at 539-2481 for more information and before visiting the area, or visit the Gila National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.
