Take on new challenges and join a group of peers who enjoy being outdoors to explore the Southwest. Among the backdrop of rugged desert canyons and stunning mountain summits, MDT Trekkers will develop skills through personal projects, planning expeditions, and communal living. Leadership skills like communication and group decision making will be central to this trek and serve as a great foundation for your next challenges at home, school, or work.
The itinerary varies from year to year (see below for a sample itinerary), but each year the MDT goes on three multi-day backpacking trips, visits unforgettable Southwestern landscapes, and dives deep into culture and ecology. They will learn skills like reading a topographic map, cooking on a single burner backpacking stove, route finding, working through conflict, selecting a campsite, and more. By the end, they come away with a close group of friends, outdoor and leadership skills, great memories, and new perspectives after six weeks of exploration and overcoming challenges.
MDT is the longest expedition we offer and as such, trekkers on this expedition have the opportunity to soak up more of what the Southwest has to offer. If spending six weeks immersed in wilderness adventure, arts, culture, and science in places like the deep canyons of Zion National Park or the alpine lakes of the San Juan National Forest with a small group of peers sounds like the best summer of your life, this trek is for you! While substantial wilderness experience is not a requirement to join MDT, trekkers who are already comfortable spending time outdoors and those who are excited to contribute to a positive group experience will have the most success.
The MDT spends the majority of their time exploring the wild places of the Four Corners states, though they will have about a week to get to know Basecamp. While at Basecamp, trekkers will have the opportunity to learn new skills from our specialists like metalsmithing, animal tracking, plant identification, mountain biking, farming, cooking, music, and rock climbing. The exact specialties of our staff vary from year to year, but we always have an incredibly talented and knowledgeable team that is excited to introduce trekkers to new skills as well as offer deeper exploration for those already familiar with a topic.
While on trek with us, participants will complete a project in a field they are interested in. These are meant to be opportunities to take advantage of the vast knowledge sets of our staff, dive deeper into a topic of interest, and to walk away from the summer having a tangible example of all that was accomplished. Examples of past projects include: creating maps, conducting a stream study, creating a field guide, compiling an art portfolio, writing an original song, planning and leading activities for other trekkers, and many more. To help us prepare to facilitate these projects, we will send a survey for your trekker to complete. If they aren’t sure, that’s okay! Our staff is ready and excited to talk with them about their interests and figure out what makes sense.
Age Range: 16 - 18
Gender: All welcome, Male, Female, Non-binary
Min Group Size: 8
Max Group Size: 18
Instructors: 3
Elevation: 5,000 to 14,000 feet
45 Days on Trek
Cost: $7,600
6/25 - 8/9
Enroll Now
Trek Details
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”- J.C. Maxwell
People: Who we are
MDT is designed to support emerging young leaders and mentors as they prepare to take on greater
responsibilities in their communities.
- Part of the Gulch Community: MDT Trekkers internalize our Gulch values to become
compassionate, mindful and competent young adults who share their knowledge with each other and
future generations. - Independent Individuals: MDT Trekkers internalize our Gulch values to become
compassionate, mindful and competent young adults who share their knowledge with each other and
future generations.
Places: Where we go
MDT spends 45 days romping about the American Southwest and diving deeply into their roles and
responsibilities as guides, mentors, teachers and role models in the Gulch community.
- Basecamp: MDT spends ~ 2 weeks throughout the summer at our Basecamp, connecting and
listening to the land and people they encounter in the Zuni Mountains of Northern New Mexico. - On the Road: MDT spends ~ 30 days on the road, the longest time any trek spends away from
Basecamp. This includes wilderness, front-country camping and traversing the Four Corners region
of the Southwest and southern New Mexico, all divided into 3 road loops. - In the Backcountry:MDT backpacks in Escalante National Monument, Canyonlands National Park,
Grand Canyon National Park and the Gila National Forest.
Projects: What we do
MDT lives in community with integrity and accountability; this trek is focused on providing ample
opportunities for trekkers to flourish into self-sufficient, independent, compassionate leaders and to share
their growth with the next generation of trekkers who may follow in their footsteps.
- Technical Skills Development:
- Wilderness First Aid certification: Trekkers will participate in a WFA certification to gain
outdoor safety and risk management skills. - Details/Navigation/Coordination: Trekkers will become experts in the Gulch-specific
logistics of a trek, and they will share that knowledge with younger participants, staff and
each other.
- Wilderness First Aid certification: Trekkers will participate in a WFA certification to gain
- Collaborating through Adventure:
- Bikepacking through the Zuni Mountains: Trekkers will support each other on a 3-4 day
bikepack; sharing in the challenge, joy and tenacity required on the trip. - Partnering with organizations: Trekkers will work with experts in the field on restoration
projects; collecting data and contributing to community efforts in stewardship. - Backpacking: MDT spends the most time in the backcountry of any group at the Gulch.
While backpacking, trekkers will focus on mastering the skills required to safely and
successfully hike through the backcountry.
- Bikepacking through the Zuni Mountains: Trekkers will support each other on a 3-4 day
- Mentorship at the Gulch:
- Design, plan and lead a backpacking trip: Trekkers will collaborate on the logistics and
coordination of a 3-4 day backpack trip in the Gila to demonstrate their leadership abilities
and understanding of safe backcountry travel. - Basecamp for a day: trekkers will take charge of Basecamp, running program activities,
guiding younger participants, and sharing their “expertise.”
- Design, plan and lead a backpacking trip: Trekkers will collaborate on the logistics and
6/25 - 8/9
Enroll Now
Trek Log
Resources for Parents
Within Your Itinerary You Might
The trek itineraries vary year to year, depending on permits and staff expertise
- Meet with a musician
- Visit an Amphitheater
- Take some Day hikes
- Meet with an instrument manufacturer
- Visit music festival
- Visit Hispanic Cultural Center and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- A Sunset hike
- Basecamp Loop (Cottonwoods)
- Visit Zuni Pueblo to meet musicians and artists
- Meet with an artist
- Visit Georgia O’Keefe Museum and other local art based museums
- Visit Taos Earthships
- Explore Lavender Farm
- Day hike Canyon de Chelly
- Day hike El Morro National Monument
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