Hiking and Backpacking Utah's Boulder Mail Trail

Hiking and Backpacking Utah's Boulder Mail Trail

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Hiking and Backpacking Utah's Boulder Mail Trail

5 Days Starting and ending in St George

Visiting: St. George to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to St. George

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

SKXT

Group size:

1 - 10

Age range:

12-99

Tour Overview

Trek the historic Mail Trail connecting Escalante and Boulder through some of Utah’s most incredible landscapes. Over five days, make your way through the valleys of the Grand Staircase — Escalante National Monument, following rivers, walking through high-altitude forests and camping under rock faces and by natural springs. Explore the rock formations carved into the stone over centuries and marvel in the kaleidoscopic colours of the sandstone that makes this area so spectacular.

Highlights

  • Make your way through one of Utah’s finest bits of canyon country, trekking across high plateaus, through deep canyons and past incredible sandstone formations.

  • Explore the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument – following the route historically taken by the fearless workers tasked with taking mail and supplies between Boulder and Escalante.

  • Cross three major canyon systems, Sand Creek, Slickrock and Death Hollow, getting into the rivers and streams that have flowed through this area for centuries.

  • Descend into Death Hollow, following the river through the canyon, past ponderosa pines and natural springs feeding into the Escalante River.

  • Look out over the expanses of this desert landscape, explore natural sandstone bridges and take a dip into natural swimming holes (if the weather is fine!).

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: St. George to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Location: St. George to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Accommodation Name: Backcountry Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Welcome to Utah! Say good morning from Saint George bright and early as you’ll be heading off for the remote town of Escalante and into the heart of Utah’s canyon country. Keep an eye out for the twisting canyons, trickling streams and enormous ponderosa pines as you make your way. When you arrive, drive up to the Boulder-Mail Trailhead for lunch and prep for your cross-country hike. Your first hike of the trip takes you to a primitive camp overlooking Death Hollow. Here, you’ll find a sandstone amphitheatre, large natural water pockets and panoramic views. Settle in for the night, enjoying dinner and endless stargazing with your new travel buddies.

Included Activities:
-Escalante - Boulder Mail Trail to Death Hollow Canyon Hike
-Guided Backpacking Experience - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
-Shuttle from St. George to Trailhead

Day 2: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Accommodation Name: Backcountry Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As the sun rises, so do you. It’s time to pack up and get ready to descend into Death Hollow. Despite its name, Death Hollow is home to some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the area. Large, deep and full of water, you’ll walk through alpine forests, along narrow sandstone passages and wade through the ankle-deep water of the Escalante River. Today, visit one of the most interesting features of the region – the Mamie Creek Natural Bridge. Created by millions of years of erosion, the seasonal Mamie Creek flows through the keyhole opening and pours into Death Hollow, creating a sandstone bridge above. Tonight, set up camp above Death Hollow on the Antone Flats.

Included Activities:
-Mamie Creek Natural Bridge visit - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
-Antone Flats via Mamie Creek Hike - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Day 3: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Accommodation Name: Backcountry Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll head up stream, following the valley along the Upper Escalante River Canyon Hike. This is your first of two full days spent exploring the banks of the Escalante River. Take in all this ancient land has to offer as natural rock formations carved out over centuries add to the otherworldliness of the region.

Included Activities:
-Upper Escalante River Canyon Hike - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Day 4: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Accommodation Name: Backcountry Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, continue your trek along the Escalante River. Notice the springs that trickle down the sandstone, feeding the river as you explore this unique area. As you head through the canyon, surrounded by the towering walls of sandstone, watch the changing colours of the rockfaces. Today’s hike is all about exploration.

Included Activities:
-Lower Escalante River Canyon Hike - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Day 5: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to St. George

Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to St. George

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Pack up and head off on the final leg of your trek across the Boulder Mail Trail. Keep an eye out for the elaborate Navajo slickrock formations, deep canyons and high-altitude forests. At the end of the hike, stop for a moment to take in the view down into the Escalante River Valley, before the steep descent from the plateau along the Boulder to Escalante old mail route. Following lunch, catch up with your vehicle and head back to St. George, reaching the town in the early evening where you’ll say your goodbyes.

Included Activities:
-Lower Escalante River Canyon Hike - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
-Shuttle to St. George

What's Included

  • Escalante - Boulder Mail Trail to Death Hollow Canyon Hike

  • Guided Backpacking Experience - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

  • Shuttle from St. George to Trailhead

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Transport

  • AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
  • We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.

Accommodation

  • You’ll camp in beautiful, well-located campgrounds and spend the night in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents with self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags which are professionally laundered after every trip.

Important Information

  • 1. A completed registration form is required to join these trips. You will not be confirmed for the trip until your form has been received and reviewed. We may ask for a medical release signed by your physician for medical conditions or circumstances which could possibly compromise your safety or the safety of others on this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
  • 2. Travellers on this particular trip are not required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
  • 3. A signed disclaimer (Acknowledgement of Risks Form) is required at the time of booking for this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
  • 4. To help ensure this trip is right for you, this trip is subject to additional ‘Essential Eligibility Requirements’ – see the ‘Itinerary Disclaimer’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.
  • 5.This trip is operated and run by Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Wildland Trekking customers and Intrepid customers.
  • 6. A pre-trip orientation meeting will take place at 5:00 PM on the day before trip starts in St. George, Utah. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip starts to specify the orientation location. Early on the morning of day 1 your guide will pick you up at your hotel for transport to the trailhead. This trip concludes at approximately 7:00 PM on the last day.
  • 7. A single tent is provided to all solo travellers at no extra cost.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This is a walking trip, so a good fitness level will help you enjoy all included walks and activities.

    On this trip, you’ll be required to carry a backpack weighing approximately 16 to 20 kg (35 to 45 lb).

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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