Come out and be a part of efforts to improve and maintain Catwalk area and trails.

SILVER CITY, NM, Sept 27, 2023 – Coming up on September 30, the Gila National Forest will host a volunteer event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Catwalk Recreation Site in celebration of the 30th annual National Public Lands Day. Come on out and join Glenwood Ranger District staff to complete multiple service projects across the Whitewater Picnic Area and Catwalk National Recreation Trail. Please bring appropriate footwear, sunscreen, water, and snacks. The event will conclude at noon with lunch provided by the Glenwood Ranger District.

This effort will build on work by trail crews from the Gila National Forest and Conservation Corps New Mexico, who have been hard at work this summer, restoring trail access along Whitewater Creek. So far, the crews have brushed out, stabilized, rerouted, rebuilt or maintained tread, and managed drainage on 4.4 miles of the Whitewater Trail #207, reopening access as far as the Gold Dust Trail intersection.

The crews transported tons of rock using a highline system to assist with moving rock with which to construct basket gabion walls, reinforce trail tread, and protect a staircase built by the Civilian Conservation Corps that was threatened by erosion. The workers also removed approximately one ton of metal staircase and handrail that had been damaged by past flooding.

“The amount and quality of work that our forest and partner crews have completed so far this year is impressive,” said Acting Glenwood District Ranger Brian Stultz. “Through a combination of volunteer projects, a Forest Service trail crew, and help from New Mexico Conservation Corps, we have an aggressive schedule of additional work yet to be completed this fall and winter.”

If the projects on the calendar are completed as planned, another 3 miles of the Whitewater Trail #207 will be maintained to its intersection with the Deloche Canyon Trail #179 this fall. Crews also aim to complete work on 4.1 miles of the Grand Enchantment Trail #212 along the South Fork Whitewater Creek to its intersection with the East Fork Whitewater Creek Trail #213.

For questions or more information about the project on Saturday, September 30, please visit National Public Lands Day Celebration at the Catwalk | The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) (neefusa.org)or call the Glenwood Ranger District at 575-539-2481.