Gila Legends Expedition [GLE]: Friday, July 14th through Monday, July 17th, 2023 - NMBR's Grand Traverse of the Gila Region – Guided by NMBR’s Jake Quiñones

Overview

New Mexico’s Gila Region // Approximate Route Distance: 300-Miles // Approximate Elevation Range: 4,375 to 9,750-Feet // New Mexico Black Range’s flagship expedition and experience—the Southwest’s most remote and rugged traversal route. Areas of exploration will include Gila East, Black Range, Gila West, Gila North, and Continental Divide.

The Experience

This July, New Mexico Backroads will be guiding a four-day [300-mile] expedition that will traverse New Mexico’s vast and diverse Gila region. NMBR has guided American Expedition Vehicles, General Motors, Dometic USA, and a multitude of enthusiasts seeking adventure along the epic Gila Legends Expedition route. The Gila Legends Expedition, NMBR’s flagship expedition and experience, was featured in Overland Journal and by Expedition Portal. This “expedition of a lifetime” includes a diverse range of scenery, history, terrain, and backroads found nowhere else in North America. Route landscape features will include desert, grassland, chaparral, canyon bottoms, and dense forest with elevations ranging from 4,375 to 9,750-feet. Areas of exploration will include Gila East, Black Range, Gila West, Gila North, and Continental Divide. The Gila Legends Expedition route will skirt the world’s first established wilderness areas—the Gila Wilderness & Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Road types and conditions will include washboards, two tracks, primitive non-maintained, graded, mountain shelf, dirt byway and (least of all) pavement. The Gila Legends Expedition will provide outstanding vistas, historic landmarks, wildlife viewing opportunities (including Mexican grey wolf territory), and aggressive elevation contours. During the overland based adventure, NMBR will cover a variety of topics including area history, vehicle maintenance, overland kit overview, driving techniques, vehicle dynamics, and other overland-based skill building subjects.

Where, When & Pricing

The Gila Legends Expedition will take place Friday, July 14th through Monday, July 17th, 2023. Participants will meet the morning of Friday, July 14th in southern New Mexico; the exact departure location and details will be provided during the registration process. 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). Please note: Due to the remote setting of NMBR's overland and expedition traversal routes, services of any kind, including cell, fuel, food, water, resupply, and/or medical services may be unavailable for stretches of 225-miles or more (if re-routes occur).

Planning & Preparations

The Gila Legends 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). Southwestern Monsoon Season: This NMBR trip/tour will take place during the Southwest’s Monsoon Season where summer rain storms can occur. In this, weather, road, and camp conditions could provide rainy and muddy at various points along the route. Participants will need to prepare accordingly and bring the appropriate all-weather clothing, gear, and shelter. If these possible conditions don’t appeal to you, or outside of your comfort zone for overland travels, please consider NMBR’s other trip/tour offerings.

Go Boldly with NMBR - Over the past decade, NMBR 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 Gila Legends 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. 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. 

Register

Ready for your next great adventure? If you are interested in joining the Gila Legends Expedition, or would like to receive extended details for the tour, please  email jake@newmexicoblackrange.com and additional driver/equipment requirements and registration information will be provided. Or send a message through the contact page.