Grand Staircase Escalante Boulder Mail Backpacking
A unique backpacking trip through Escalante, Utah bookended with two of our favorite spots...Bryce Canyon and Willis Creek! Take in Utah's mind blowing scenery as we hike over sandstone mountains and through water carved canyons. Some of the best views we offer!
Backpacking with some front country views!
Come out and play in some of the coolest canyon country Utah has to offer! Backpack on the historic Boulder Mail trail, hike through the Bryce Canyon Hoodoos, and touch the smooth walls of Willis Creek Slot Canyon!
Boulder Mail Trail
Nice and relaxing camps bookend a fulfilling backpack trip on the Boulder Mail Trail. Bryce Canyon hoodoos with some water carved canyons of Escalante make this one awesome trip!
An early morning start from Las Vegas has us head north into Utah's canyon country! We will drive one of the states top scenic highways as we roll into Bryce Canyon for views and lunch. Our hike today takes us into the heart of towering hoodoos as we drop below the rim and explore the center of Bryce Canyon National Park. Climbing back to the rim we will head towards Escalante to set up camp and prepare for our backpacks for next few days on the Boulder Mail Trial!
Hike: Queens Garden loop, 8000 ft elevation. 3 miles loop. 625ft gain / 625 descent
Lunch / Dinner Included
Hot coffee and breakfast starts the day as we tighten up our backpacks and head out to the trailhead! Starting high above the Escalante canyons we look down into the curves of the river carved into the canyon walls. We start our decent and hike across millions of years of geological history until we reach our camp at the rivers edge. Dinner and stargazing ends out the nights plans.
Hike: Boulder Mail Trail, 6700 ft elevation. 6 Mile point-to-point. 600ft gain /1100 ft descent
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Included
Breakfast gets us up and moving from the river and into the days plan. A short and punchy 3-mile hike gets us to camp today. Don't laugh because it's guaranteed to make you sweat! Dropping gear we will go explore the side canyons to a natural bridge and some great views. After dinner we can find the perfect view for sunset as you take in the epic land in front of you!
Hike: Mamie Creek, 5800 ft elevation. 5-7 miles point-to-point. 851ft gain / 615ft descent
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Included
Breakfast and coffee with the rising sun! Our last backpacking day has us head up and over the plateau and down into the town of Escalante. Big views come with big elevation as we climb up to the pass and out of the canyons. Catching your breath will be hard as the unique rock formations also take your breath as you look around! Todays hard work comes with a great payoff....Nemo's! Hamburger (or veggie burger) and hot fries with a shake! Chicken and soda! Salt and Sugar oh boy! Finishing up dinner we will head to our camp for the night and relax under the night sky.
Hike: Escalante Slabs, 6100 ft elevation. 7 Miles point-to-point. 1050ft gain / 1290ft descent
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Included
Our last day starts with hot coffee and fresh breakfast. Packing up camp we head out for todays hiking treat....Willis Slot Canyon. This beautiful slot canyon will have you take a thousand pictures as you try to catch each unique angle and view of the canyon walls. A nice lunch at Kodachrome state park and we head back to Las Vegas!
No fly outs before 7pm please!
Hike: Willis Slot Canyon, 6000 ft elevation. 4-6 miles out-and-back. 50 ft gain / 50 ft descent
Breakfast / Lunch Included
Provided Backpacking Gear
-Trekking poles; adjustable, foam grip
-1 person OR 3 person tent, your choice
-30 degree mummy bag
-Foam Pad
-Air pad
-Air pillow
-Sleeping bag liner
-Bowl, spoon
-Poop bags; toilet paper, wipes, zip locks (pack out TP/wipes only)
-Earplugs, liquid IVs, hand warmers
-Helinox Zero chair
-Water filtration systems and backup filters
-Cooking & cleaning setup
-Food storage bags / bear canisters
Required Pack List - Backpacking
-Light source; rechargeable headlamp strongly suggested
-55-70 liter backpacking bag
-3 liter water capacity; 2L or 3L hydration bladder plus a liter nalgene
-Sturdy hiking boots/shoes; something you already wear and like is always best! Please “break in” new shoes on at least 3 hikes before bringing them on a backpack trip!
-Base clothes; Sun hoodies, synthetic breathable/lightweight/durable outdoor pants, sun gloves and hats are our friends in the southwest! Quality socks & underwear
-Rain jacket
-Puffy jacket / fleece warmth layer for core
-Sunhat or ballcap and sun hoodie combo. Lightweight beanie for nights
-Drink mug/cup
-Personal toiletries; try and keep light and simple, people often overpack here. Pro tip, clip your nails before arriving!
-Pack as much as you want, we have plenty of room in our trailer for everyone’s duffel & backpacking bags. Make sure to have a change of clothes for the ride home!
-Luxury items; camera, phone charger cords, etc.
-Personal medications; we use ice pack cold bags for our food, but we can’t guarantee the ability to keep medications cold the whole trip if that is needed. Let us know regardless
-Good attitude! :)
Additional Cold Weather List (20-40F at night) - Backpacking
-Thermal wool base layer top and bottom
-Warm hiking / camp gloves
-Wool socks, 2 extra sets
-Warm neck gaiter, game changer piece of clothing for windchill
-Nalgene; hot water inside, wrap in extra clothes at bottom of sleeping bag for warmth
-Warm beanie
Guide Carried Gear
-Group medical kits
-Poop kit restock, trowels
-Radios
-Garmin InReach
-Extra water
Bryce Canyon & The Boulder Mail Trail
