Discover History: The Catwalk
author: USDA Forest Service - Gila National Forest
source date: 2025
availability: public_domain

US Forest Service history page covering the Catwalk in Whitewater Canyon, Gila National Forest. Covers gold discovery in the late 1800s; the original catwalk constructed for hauling ore from mine to mill; the Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilding the catwalk for recreation in the 1930s; the massive 2013 flood washing the catwalk away; Forest Service rebuilding in 2016; the elevated bridges suspended in the narrow slot canyon. Also covers the Mogollon culture cliff dwellings 1,000 years ago; the Arrastra Interpretive Site at Pinos Altos; Fort Bayard established 1866 providing security against Apache raids; Fort Bayard's later use as US Army's first tuberculosis hospital and VA hospital.