Gila National Forest, NM

Glenwood,  NM

We started the cool morning by catching up on our laundry.   Then we headed north to the Gila National Forest, a 117 mile drive each way.

Our destination at Gila was the Catwalk right outside the town of Glenwood.    The drive up was easy as Route 180 between Deming and Glenwood only went through one decent size town - Silver City.  The rest of the towns were for the most part nothing more than a post office and maybe a very small store selling bait, ice, etc.

On the way we crossed the Continental Divide.

The climb was so gradual we were surprised when we saw this sign.

When we got to Glenwood we found the 5 mile winding and narrow road back to the Catwalk.

The fee is only $3.00 or $1.50 if you have the Golden Age Pass. (I do).   It is the honor system where you place your money in an envelope and put it in the receptacle.   The smallest bill we had was a ten.  I felt silly writing a check for $1.50 but I did.

The walk is 1.1 miles in each direction.  The first half is moderately easy.   Then the catwalk or paved path ends.  The rest is a dirt path with few hand railings and even a swinging bridge to cross.  As we got deep into the path, it became quite chilly and icy in spots.  We walked a little over half way and thought it foolish to continue on with ice on a dirt path and a canyon all around.   There were parts even where we walked that were a little strenuous. 

The start of the path

Looking down from the Catwalk

A view of the catwalk on the left

An icy waterfall.  Note the snow.

A view looking upward

On the drive back we stopped in Silver City at a Pizza Hut and a late lunch/early supper.   When back in Deming we found the cheapest diesel around at $3.21 a gallon and filled the tank.  The station right across from the campground is $3.79! 

Tanks are dumped, some water put in potable tank, water hoses put away, coffee ready to turn on in the morning, Len is watching for at least the 300th time one of his favorite movies McClintock with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.   I am ready to hit the bed with a book.   We pull out in the morning for a 215 mile drive to Tucson.