As of Monday, July 8th 2013, the Gila National Forest has set hours for the Catwalk National Recreation Area. Due to the beginning of monsoon season, and since rain typically occurs in the afternoon, regular hours for the Catwalk have returned to an 8:00 am to 1:00 pm schedule. These hours include the Whitewater Picnic Area and ¼ mile of the lower trail. Other parts of the trail remain closed pending treatment of a recent rockfall. In the event of predicted severe weather or flooding, the facility will be closed to protect visitors.
For visitor safety, the Gila National Forest Office reminds potential visitors of the risks of thunderstorms. When planning a picnic, set up on higher ground and avoid drainage areas such as rivers and creeks. If possible, plan your outing for earlier in the day, as storms in the mountains tend to occur in the afternoon. Know what the weather is expected to do the day you are going out and plan accordingly.
Before you head out to the Catwalk, contact the Glenwood Ranger District at 539-2481 during weekday hours (8 am to 4:30 pm) to inquire if the park is open before planning a trip. You can also visit the Gila Forest Website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/
