Catwalk Reopens to Octagon from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
After Repair & Clean-up of Damaged Trail from Rock Fall

Glenwood, NM; August 12, 2013—The Catwalk Trail on the Gila National Forest is once again open from Whitewater Picnic Area to ½ mile along the primitive trail and including the suspended trail, to the Octagon. Open hours for visiting Whitewater Picnic Area and the ½ mile hike up to the Octagon is from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm daily. After 1:00 pm, the entire Catwalk National Recreation Area is closed due to the continued  threat of  unpredictable local monsoon thunderstorms causing flooding along NM State Highway 174’s low water crossings.

A rock fall that occurred June 2, 2013, required the  temporary closure due to unstable conditions on the sheer cliff above the stairs. Blasting of the hazard rock outcrop responsible for the rock fall was completed on July 18, and  followed by removal of loose rocks and boulders along the cliff walls the next day. Fifteen thousand (15,000) pounds of rocks from the blasting operation have been removed from the trail, and piled adjacent to the open trail in the viewing area. Arrangements are being made to move the rocks to the parking lot for use on building walls at the new toilet.  

”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,” said Pat Morrison, Glenwood District Ranger.

The universal trail remains closed pending completion of inspection and possible treatment of rock bolts and other rock hazards.  The upper end of Whitewater Canyon is currently closed due to the difficulty of getting people out of the canyon in the event of a flood; the trail past the Octagon will require evaluation and maintenance prior to opening to the public.             
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Contact the Glenwood Ranger District office, (575) 539-2481, for updated information prior to visiting the area, or visit the Forest website:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila

The trail system on the western side of the Gila Wilderness was reopened August 9th; this area had been closed due to last year’s Whitewater Baldy Fire.