Wild & Capable
A womens backpacking trip in the Gila National Forest.
About the Trip
This women’s backpacking experience in the Gila National Forest is an opportunity to build confidence, community, and connection, both with the landscape and with yourself. Through shared time on the trail, participants will develop backcountry skills and deepen their relationships with nature in a supportive, inclusive environment that feels safe, encouraging, and empowering.
Along the way, we’ll slow down to learn about the Gila’s unique ecology and history, deepen our awareness of the land beneath our feet, and tune in to our bodies through intentional mindfulness practices and gentle, accessible yoga.
This experience invites women to challenge themselves while moving with intention, listening inward, and developing resilience through shared effort, reflection, and time in wild places. Oh, and don’t forget the laughs and friendships you’ll make!
What will the trip look like?
The hike will take place over 4 days and 3 nights in the backcountry.
Participants will arrive to Hermosa by 1 pm on the 30th. Once everyone has arrived, we will do a group orientation and check-in, then off to the woods we go! We will hike about 3 miles on the 30th to the Aldo Leopold Wilderness boundary. Here, we will enjoy a lovely group meal around the campfire. The next day is another 3-mile hike to our next campsite, Sawmill Windmill. Along the way, we’ll practice backcountry skills, discuss the surrounding landscape and ecology, and settle into a gentle trail yoga session before ending the day with stories under the stars.
On August 1st, we’ll do a day hike from the campsite, take time to increase our awareness and presence in nature, eat yummy trail food, and more.
The following day, we will pack up camp and start the journey back to our Hermosa Field Station. We will have a relaxed morning with a 3-mile hike ahead. Throughout the trip, participants will build confidence through shared learning, develop trail skills, deepen ecological awareness, and connect more fully with the land and their bodies.
Upon returning to Hermosa, participants are welcome to camp one final night, choose to book a room at the field station for an extra fee, or begin the journey home.
More to come soon!
