2007/03/11
The Catwalk
We headed northwest into the Gila National Forest with Whitewater Canyon as our destination. In 1889 the Whitewater Canyon and the town of Whitewater was the home to many mine claims and a processing mill. As the canyon was rough and narrow the mill was built 4 miles downstream from the mines. A 3 mile, 4" metal pipeline provided a continuous water supply to the town and its electric generator which was later upgraded to an 18" pipe. In the 1934 the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) built a “catwalk” using the pipeline's supports as a recreation attraction for the Gila National Forest. In 1961 the original catwalk was replace with the current metal catwalk.
Zaph managed the catwalk with out any problems, it was the swinging bridge he didn’t like especially when Ed made it sway. We followed another trail further into the canyon and let Zaph off his leash so he could run around and splash in the river. Yup, Zaph’s favourite type of park is the National Forest as dogs only need to be on leashes where there are a lot of people.
The entrance to the Catwalk.
One part of the catwalk.
Another view of the catwalk.
Ed and Zaph check out the end of the catwalk.
Some of the old 18" pipe.
Zaph checking out the canyon trail.
We found the perfect store for Ed.
Zaph managed the catwalk with out any problems, it was the swinging bridge he didn’t like especially when Ed made it sway. We followed another trail further into the canyon and let Zaph off his leash so he could run around and splash in the river. Yup, Zaph’s favourite type of park is the National Forest as dogs only need to be on leashes where there are a lot of people.
The entrance to the Catwalk.
One part of the catwalk.
Another view of the catwalk.
Ed and Zaph check out the end of the catwalk.
Some of the old 18" pipe.
Zaph checking out the canyon trail.
We found the perfect store for Ed.
