Outlaws Run 2021. Act 3: The Cat Walk, Mogollon, Gila Cliff Dwellings and further into the Gila

We ended up spending two nights at a nice camp just outside Alma, NM. Our first full day, we headed out to check out the Cat Walk hike. A super cool hike that has some great watering holes to soak in. On our way to the trail head we ended up meeting Livia, who had been living out of her Prius for some time. She joined us for the hike and camped with us for the night. It was nice to get out of the trucks and stretch the legs. After the Cat Walk hike, we stopped in Glenwood for a cold drink then Corbet, Livia and I took a drive up to the old mining town of Mogollon. It was a neat town to check out with some cool old buildings. At one point, Mogollon, had a population of 2,000 people and between 1872 and 1873, the Stagecoach operating between Mogollon and Silver City was robbed 23 times by the same assailant. Finally being apprehended by Wels Fargo agents.

After two enjoyable nights, we left Alma and headed further into the Gila to check out the Gila Cliff Dwellings. It’s a long drive to the Cliff Dwellings from Silver City, but definitely worth the visit. The Monument was established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1907. The Dwellings are believed to have been occupied from the mid 1200’s to the late 1300’s by the Mogollon Culture (Pueblo III Era). The signature “T” that the Anasazi are known for can be found in the Dwellings.

From the Cliff Dwellings, we headed North East, finally finding a nice camp between the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness’s. A fine feast was made and we enjoyed a great night around the campfire. The next day was spent making the trek back North. Finally enjoying one last camp outside of Jemez NM. I’d still have a long drive the next day to get home.

For our first visit to the Gila area, I was majorly impressed and plan to get back again soon:) Another great Outlaws Run in the books.

Morning views from camp.

Some good pals.

A great day to enjoy the Cat Walk hike.

You follow along a catwalk, suspended above Whitewater Creek.

A waterpipe line was built to service the mill and old town of Graham in 1893, at the beginning of Whitewater canyon. The Civilian Conservation Corps turned this area into a hiking trail in the ’30’s, later to be rebuilt in the early ’60’a by the Forest Service. During a flood in 2012, the Catwalk was washed away by a massive flood, In 1978, the Catwalk was designated a “National Historic Trail” wit the Forest Service rebuilding the Catwalk after the floods.

Some fine watering holes along as you hike along Whitewater Creek. We spent a bit of time in this one. Much enjoyable!

A great hike along/in the river past the Catwalk.

Hiking back down the Catwalk to the rigs. After lunch, we headed to Mogollon.

Mogollon, NM.

The old theatre.

Some high flood waters in the canyon.

Mogollon, NM.

Group shot with our new friend Livia and her Prius before leaving camp.

Alma, NM. Butch Cassidy spent some time here. Was a foreman on the WS Ranch(we tried to stay in the bun house but it was already booked) and was a bartender in town. He even served a Pinkerton agent that was out looking for him:).