Quartz Trek

Cottonwood Gulch is thrilled to introduce Quartz Trek into our 2023 season. This trek is designed to run
parallel to Turquoise Trail and Prairie trek; 5 weeks during the summer with a specific focus for genderqueer/nonbinary
youth. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals, and is prominently featured all across New Mexico and
the Southwest. It is known for its adaptability and durability, bringing forth beauty and functionality when
used or seen, and this trek is meant to provide a similarly versatile space for genderqueer and nonbinary 14-16 year olds. QT
focuses on further developing identities as members of a greater community, with an emphasis on
accountability and mindfulness. This trek links young people with intersecting identities and challenges them
to recognize their roles and responsibilities to each other and themselves.

• Personal Identity Within a Community: Quartz Trek is guided by questions of self-discovery and a
  mindfulness of pre-existing groups and spaces. QT asks:
  • Who am I?
  • Who do I want to be?
  • Who lives/lived here?
  • What can we learn from each other?
• Collaboration and Cooperation: QT incorporates projects with community partners that are highly
  knowledgeable about the land, culture, and history of the southwest. Active listening allows for
  trekkers to foster their roles as future leaders and honest members of the community.
• Shared Experience: When participating in groups with shared experience, trekkers can encourage
  each other to grow whilst identifying with each other in a foundational way. This is the first year the
  Gulch will have a trek specifically designed for genderqueer youth; QT is meant to empower young
  people to feel capable, confident amongst their peers and that they truly belong in these outdoor
  spaces.

Quartz Trek spends 5 weeks connecting with the Southwest, driven by a focus to establish healthy,
harmonious relationships between trekkers and who/what they encounter.

• Basecamp: QT 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: QT spends ~ 20 days on the road, divided into 2 road loops; one in the areas
  bordering New Mexico and Arizona which includes visiting the Chaco Canyon region as well as
  traditional Zuni, Hopi and Dinélands and another in Northeastern New Mexico, visiting the Taos
  area which includes Wheeler Peak and Gold Hill.
• In the Backcountry: QT backpacks in Carson National Forest and the Navajo National Monument.

How do we give back to the places and people we learn from? QT strives to answer this question by
incorporating moments of genuine connection and humbling responsibility which we believe is critical for
young people today.

• Taking Action Through Hands-on Experience:
  • QT will focus on taking action in the communities they visit which may include traditional
    ecological knowledge driven restoration projects such as building one rock dams for
    watershed restoration, mapping and plotting sections of land and removing invasive species
    from a particular area.
  • Trekkers will lead programming on a topic they were inspired by in the field, and may
    participate in Rendezvous logistics; taking on active roles in planning and facilitating the day’s
    events.
• Technical Skills Development:
  • Front-country camping: Trekkers continue to expand on their technical skills, gaining
    comfort in front country camping (tents, tarps, road kitchens and groovers)
  • Backpacking skills: QT spends enough time in the backcountry that trekkers are able to
    strengthen their backcountry skills packing backpacks, using Whisper-lite stoves, navigating
    with a map/compass and setting up camp.
• Confidence in Adventure:
  • Backpacking in Arizona and Northern New Mexico: QT goes on two backpacking trips to
    build up confidence in the backcountry and provide a scaffolded experience (first backpack
    1-2 nights, second backpack 4-6 nights).
  • Introduction to Mountain Biking: QT trekkers will learn mountain biking techniques and
    maintenance.