Overland-based Adventure to the 2023 Overland Expo West – Monday, May 15th through Thursday, May 18th, 2023 – Professionally guided by New Mexico Black Range’s Jake Quiñones

Register now to reserve your adventure!

Invite

Attention all 2023 Overland Expo West bound overlanders, adventurists, and nomads! For immediate release! New Mexico Black Range announces the 2023 Ghost Divide Expedition! If your prospective Overland Expo West trip involves copious amounts of pavement, roadside diners, and dingy motels, consider airing-down, engaging 4WD, and taking the path less traveled with New Mexico Black Range.

GDE Preview

Visit the NMBR’s Ghost Divide Expedition photo gallery for a preview of the Ghost Divide Expedition. LINK - goo.gl/UwquKa

GDE Overview

New Mexico & Arizona // 4 Days // 500 Miles // Elev. 4,250 to 9,000 ft. // Route and experience featured by TCT and FOURWHEELER Magazines. The Ghost Divide Expedition will begin in southern New Mexico and lead to the 2023 Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona. Areas of exploration will include western New Mexico and eastern Arizona

The Experience

This May, New Mexico Black Range will be guiding a 500-mile expedition en-route to the 2023 Overland Expo West that will traverse New Mexico and Arizona’s loneliest backroads. The GDE route will cover three unique areas—Gila National Forest, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and Coconino National Forest. Over two-thirds of the Ghost Divide Expedition route will be comprised of unpaved backroads.

The Ghost Divide Expedition will provide a demanding (yet rewarding) experience—the days will be long, the terrain will be rugged, and the pace will be brisk. The overland-based tour will require participants to be self-supportive with regards to vehicle, equipment, provisions, meals, and supplies. All nights will include camping and enjoying the company of fellow overlanders, deep in the backcountry. For those that join in, the only guarantee is that they will conclude their adventure with new friends, dirty rigs, big smiles, and an accomplishment that will make their fellow overlanders envious. 

2023 will mark the 13th year NMBR has guided a multi-day expedition in connection with the Overland Expo West. The Ghost Divide Expedition route will include a diverse range of scenery, history, terrain, and backroads found nowhere else in North America. Landscapes and terrain will include desert, grassland, chaparral, canyon bottoms, wildland burn scars, and dense forest with elevations ranging from approximately 4,250 to 9,000-feet. Road types and conditions will include washboards, two tracks, primitive non-maintained, graded, mountain shelf, dirt byway, and (least of all) pavement. The Ghost Divide Expedition will provide outstanding vistas, historic landmarks, and wildlife viewing opportunities (including Mexican grey wolf territory). During the overland based adventure, NMBR will cover a variety of topics including area history, vehicle maintenance, overland kit assembly.

Where, When & Pricing

The Ghost Divide Expedition will take place in the week leading up to the 2023 Overland Expo West; Monday, May 15th through Thursday, May 18th, 2023. Participants will meet the morning of Monday, May 15th in southern New Mexico; the departure location and details will be provided during the GDE registration process. The Overland Expo West begins the morning of Friday, May 19th. Pricing for single driver (single participant) is $1,061.00 (plus tax). Pricing for each additional participant in vehicle (passengers, second drivers, minors) is $894.00 (plus tax).

Planning & Preparations

The Ghost Divide Expedition will require participants to be self-supportive with regards to vehicle, equipment, meals, and supplies. Services or re-supply of any kind, including cell signals, fuel, food, water, or anything remotely civilized, will be unavailable for stretches of up to 225 miles or more (if re-routes occur).

Go Boldly with NMBR - Over the past decade, New Mexico Black Range has written a series of informative overland travel-based articles (NMBR’s Field Preparedness Manual) with topics ranging from field kit assembly, to vehicle maintenance and upkeep, to equipment and gear advice. These articles, paired with extensive checklists and instructions, are provided to registered participants as a solid foundation for what to expect, how to prepare, and what to bring for the adventure. During the Ghost Divide Expedition pre-trip planning and preparation period, NMBR will be available to provide expert opinion and feedback to registered participants for any questions or concerns related to getting ready and gearing up for the adventure. During the Ghost Divide Expedition, NMBR will revisit many of the topics covered in NMBR’s Field Preparedness Manual with discussions, demonstrations, and lessons. The self-sufficient aspect of NMBR guided expeditions, overland adventures, and training courses challenges and prepares participants for their future 4WD based endeavors—to go boldly, prepared, and with confidence.

What past Ghost Dividers are saying…

"Just finished the Ghost Divide Expedition II with Jake Quinones, our guide at New Mexico Backroads and I just can't say enough of what a great time I had. The trip was seamless, the scenery and backcountry was just absolutely beautiful. But our guide made all the difference in the world. His knowledge and history of all the areas were outstanding, making the places we saw come alive. I never questioned his capability or his professionalism at any time. I would and will travel with NMBR many more times in the future! One trip off the bucket list. Now for the rest..." - Debbie W , Northern Arizona

“This was my 2nd trip with NMBR. Will do many more, I hope. Jake runs this like it should be run. Great guy and knows the area. Long days and lots of driving makes sleeping at night easy. One of the best parts of the trip is It brings you together with people that like the same thing as you. Great guide and great people make this trip worth going. Got to see parts of NM and AZ that not many people get to see.” – Pat B , Arkansas

Ghost Divide Expedition Features

Four-Wheeler Magazine -Writer and photographer Michael Rudd highlights his journey on the 2016 Ghost Divide Expedition. LINK - goo.gl/M59YUL

TCT Magazine - Writer and photographer Phillip Jones recounts his experience on the 2015 Ghost Divide Expedition. LINK - goo.gl/FcRgs2 (GDE story starts on page 6)

MOTUS - Zach Berning, Digital Editor at Motus, previews NMBR’s 2015 Ghost Divide Expedition. LINK - goo.gl/5Dg9Az

How to Register

If you are interested in joining NMBR’s Ghost Divide Expedition to the Overland Expo West, please email jake@newmexicoblackrange.com or submit a request below, and additional driver, vehicle/equipment/provision requirements, and registration details will be provided. Please reach out to NMBR with any questions or feedback you may have.