Gila Wilderness Backpacking

Participants discovered the untamed beauty of the Gila Wilderness, America’s first designated wilderness area, on this unforgettable 5-day backpacking adventure in southwestern New Mexico.

As they traversed the rugged Mogollon Mountains, they developed essential outdoor skills like minimum-impact camping, map reading, and off-trail navigation while immersing themselves in a pristine desert environment.

They woke to the sounds of coyotes and deer as they prepared breakfast on their camp stoves. They explored the area’s unique ecology as they ascended high ridges and wandered through ponderosa pine forests. They stepped back in time as they encountered ancient cliff dwellings and artifacts left by the Mogollon people.

Throughout the journey, daily dhikr, prayer, Qur’an recitation, and Islamic classes kept them connected to their faith and purpose. They came prepared to disconnect from the modern world and embrace the simplicity and challenges of the wilderness.