August 18, 2022

August 18, 2022

We awoke to chilly 55F weather in Alpine, AZ. Instead of following the Coronado Trail south along Arizona’s very windy Rte 191, we took the New Mexico version downhill out of the mountains. About halfway we stopped to stretch our legs at Whitewater Canyon to hike the Catwalk National Recreation Trail. This was the site of an old silver mill. The miners built a suspended pipeline down the gorge to supply the mill’s water needs. During the depression, the CCC replaced it with a metal grating.

The trail is short but scenic. The beginning is lined with enormous Aspens, but the canyon quickly narrows and deepens.  The upper part of the suspended catwalk is damaged and closed. Aimee and I try to follow the trail further along the swollen stream. It involves tiptoeing over rocks and downed logs in the rushing stream. Balance is not Aimee’s forte, so she nixes us going very far.

From Catwalk we continue downhill through absolutely beautiful country. It is mostly very remote mountains and canyons, but at one point we find ourselves in extensive high plains. The recent monsoons have turned it very green and lush. All too soon we reach the desert floor and continue home to Tucson. I got the biggest compliment when Aimee said I planned this trip well. She liked everything we did.