Summer Gila Overland [SGO]:

Summer Season Backroads Traverse of the Gila National Forest – Guided by NMBR’s Jake Quiñones. Visit the NMBR’s New Mexico Gila Adventure photo gallery for a preview of the Summer Overland experience. LINK - goo.gl/UsrcF6 

SGO Overview

New Mexico’s vast Gila Region // 3 Day Extended Weekend Trip // Approximate Route Distance: 180 to 225-Miles // Approximate Elevation Range: 4,500 to 8,500-Feet // The Gila Overland provides a condensed “weekend warrior” version of NMBR’s Gila Legends Expedition. Areas of exploration will include Gila North, Black Range, and Great Divide Trail.

The Experience

This August, New Mexico Black Range will be guiding a three day [180 to 225-mile] overland adventure that will traverse New Mexico’s vast and diverse Gila region. NMBR has guided portions of this route for American Expedition Vehicles, Dometic, and a multitude of overland enthusiasts seeking adventure.

The Gila Overland route includes 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, and dense forest with elevations ranging from 4,175 to 8,250-feet. Areas of exploration will include the Gila National Forest’s Black Range and Great Divide Trail (Continental Divide), and other remote areas. The route will cross the northern end of the Sierra Madre Mountain while skirting 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 Overland 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 landscape features, area history, vehicle maintenance, overland field kit overview, driving techniques, vehicle dynamics, and other overland-based skill building subjects.

Where, When & Pricing

The Summer Gila Overland will take place Friday, August 30th through Sunday, September 1st, 2024. Participants will meet the morning of Friday, August 30th in southern New Mexico; the exact departure location and details will be provided during the registration process. Pricing for single driver (single participant) is $796.00 (plus tax). Pricing for each additional participant in vehicle (passengers, second drivers, minors) is $683.00 (plus tax).

Planning & Preparations

The Gila Overland 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, 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 El Coyote 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 Summer Gila Overland, 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.