Cottonwood Gulch: Mountain Desert Trek

Mountain Desert Trek is the perfect program for those who enjoy exploring the outdoors and overcoming challenges. This trek invites 16-18 year olds to step up as leaders within the Gulch community and develop their own leadership identities through adventure, travel, and outdoor living in the Southwest.

MDT is designed to support emerging young leaders and mentors as they prepare to take on greater responsibilities in their communities. The trek spends 43 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. 

MDT lives in community with integrity and accountability; this trek is focused on providing ampleopportunities for trekkers to flourish into self-sufficient, independent, compassionate leaders and to sharetheir growth with the next generation of trekkers who may follow in their footsteps. Trekkers learn navigation, wilderness medicine, backpacking skills and more as they plan their own backcountry trip, get certified in Wilderness First Aid and demonstrate their mentorship skills to younger participants.