The Gila National Forest administers over 3 million acres in southwestern New Mexico. This vast area of rugged mountains varies in elevation from 4,500' to 10,892'. Plant life consists of cactus and shrubs at the lower altitudes and spruce-fir forests at the higher, with juniper-pine in between. The headwaters of the Gila and Mimbres Rivers are high in the wilderness areas of the forest. While there are numerous hiking trails within the forest, most are usually snow-covered in the winter.
The Catwalk
The
Catwalk is a trail which follows the path of a pipeline built in the 1890s to
deliver water to the mining town of Graham. The trail follows Whitewater Creek
through a narrow canyon with metal walkways bolted to the sheer rock face in
places. At times, one is walking 20 feet above the boulder-strewn canyon floor.
Gila National Forest, Glenwood Ranger District
Gila River
The
Gila River Bird Habitat is located about 9 miles south of Hwy 180 at mile marker
87.