Wild Country Trek 2026
Wild Country Trek is three weeks of backpacking, stewardship, and discovery across the American Southwest. WCT is designed for 13-15 year olds who are ready to push beyond day hikes and car camping into genuine wilderness. Trekkers carry their own gear, navigate real backcountry terrain, contribute to active restoration projects, and explore some of the most ecologically and culturally rich landscapes in North America. No prior backpacking experience required. Just curiosity, grit, and a willingness to go.
Wild Country Trek 2026
Age Range: 13–15
Min Group Size: 8 / Max 18
Gender: All genders
Instructors: 3–4
21 days on trek
Cost: $4,995 (scholarships available)
2026 Dates:
Session 1: June 21 – July 11
Session 2: July 13 – August 2
Focus: Backpacking, science, and stewardship in the American Southwest
2026 Wild Country Trek Itinerary
Our itineraries are carefully planned and thoughtfully flexible. Routes may shift depending on weather, permits, or other circumstances — your Gulch leader will keep you informed of any changes along the way.
SESSION 1: June 21 – July 11
Day 1: Arrivals & Introductions - The trek begins at the airport — new faces, first meals, and Camp Craft 101. Trekkers get oriented on the rhythms of road life and the shared responsibilities that will carry them through the next three weeks.
Days 2–3: Into the Field - WCT heads out immediately, with a rock climbing day in northern New Mexico setting the tone.
Days 4–7: Backpacking in San Pedro Parks Wilderness - The first real test. Trekkers pack up everything they need and head into the backcountry of San Pedro Parks Wilderness for a multi-day backpacking trip, learning to set up camp, cook on Whisperlite stoves, navigate with map and compass, and practice Leave No Trace in the field. For many trekkers, this is the first time they've carried everything they need on their back. It won't be the last.
Days 8–14: Basecamp & Rendezvous - After a transition day through the fascinating town of Los Alamos, trekkers settle into Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp. Time with Gulch specialists and visiting scholars gives way to Rendezvous, the Gulch's beloved all-community celebration where all summer programs converge for connection and shared stories.
Days 15–19: Slot Canyon, Community Work, & Cultural Loop - The final stretch on the road brings a technical slot canyon, a community work project, and a loop through some of the most remarkable cultural and geological landscapes and dramatic desert terrain in the world.
Days 20-21: Final Banquet & Departure - A final banquet and final campfire, beginning the slow process of taking stock of everything the past three weeks have held. Three weeks wiser, stronger, and ready for whatever comes next.
SESSION 2: July 13 – August 2
Days 1–4: Arrivals & Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp - The trek begins at the airport before trekkers settle into Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp for the opening days. Here they will explore the Zuni Mountains, work with Gulch specialists on science and stewardship projects, and build the bonds that will carry them through the weeks ahead.
Days 5–7: Chaco Canyon & the Ancient Southwest - WCT heads into the heart of the Colorado Plateau for an immersive stretch of cultural and geological discovery. Chaco Canyon — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America — anchors the loop, with additional stops at the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness and Aztec Ruins rounding out a stretch that rewards anyone paying attention.
Days 8–12: Backpacking in the Weminuche Wilderness - The centerpiece of Session 2. Trekkers head into the Weminuche Wilderness of southern Colorado for a multi-day backpacking expedition — carrying everything they need, navigating real backcountry terrain, and discovering what they're capable of when the trail gets hard. A town stop in Durango offers a well-earned reward at the end of the stretch.
Days 13–14: Rendezvous at Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp - WCT joins the wider Gulch community for Rendezvous — celebration, connection, and music to close out the gathering.
Days 15–19: Final Road Loop - The last stretch takes WCT back out on the road for a varied final loop through the Southwest — a slot canyon, mountain biking and hiking, a service project, and a flea market stop before packing up for the last time.
Days 20–21: Final Night & Departure - Showers, a last meal together, and the airport. Three weeks in the wilderness has a way of changing your sense of what's possible.
Praise for Cottonwood Gulch Summer Treks
What Makes Wild Country Trek Different?
Your First Real Wilderness
Wild Country Trek is where camping becomes backpacking, and backpacking becomes a way of reading the world. For most trekkers, WCT is their first multi-day wilderness experience — carrying everything they need, navigating backcountry terrain, and discovering that they're stronger than they thought. The challenges build deliberately, each one preparing trekkers for the next:
- Rock climbing and frontcountry camping
- A multi-day backpacking trip in a designated wilderness area
- Map and compass navigation in the backcountry
- A trekker-led day hike planned and executed by the group
Stewardship in Action
This is an expedition where every trekker contributes to real restoration work, collects scientific data alongside Gulch partners, and walks through some of the most ecologically and culturally significant landscapes in North America.
- Watershed restoration, invasive species removal, and rock-dam building
- Water, soil, and weather data collection with research partners
- Immersive visits to ancient cultural sites across the Colorado Plateau
- Peer mentorship opportunities with younger Gulch trekkers at Rendezvous
The Southwest deserves good stewards. WCT trekkers leave as exactly that.
For Prairie Trek, Turquoise Trail Trek, and Mountain Desert Trek there is the option of a trekker to apply to be a Cook’s Assistant or Quarter Master (CA and QM). Click here to apply.
