Gila Legends Expedition [GLE]: Friday, July 10th through Monday, July 13th, 2026 - NMBR's Grand Traverse of the Gila National Forest – 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.

Expedition Preview: Read Chris Cordes’ article about his experience tackling the Gila Legends at Expedition Portal here - LINK

The Experience

This July, New Mexico Black Range 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 10th through Monday, July 13th, 2026. Participants will meet the morning of Friday, July 10th in southern New Mexico; the exact departure location and details will be provided during the registration process. Pricing for single driver (single participant) is $1,186.00 (plus tax). Pricing for each additional participant in vehicle (passengers, second drivers, minors) is $1,094.00 (plus tax).

Planning & Preparations

In order to participate in NMBR’s tours and training courses, minimum driver, vehicle, equipment & provision essentials requirements must be met. NMBR’s Overland, Expedition, & EXP-4WD Training Checklist can be found HERE. This checklist provides a categorized breakdown to help prospective participants properly prepare and gear up for the NMBR experience and beyond. NMBR’s 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). Sound enticing? Please, read on…

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.