Escalante Backpacking

Escalante Backpacking Itinerary:

Show more for all days

• Important Notice:

  Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown a day in advance.

• Day 1 Enjoy dinner under the stars as you meet your guides and fellow adventurers and prepare for your journey.

  Your trip begins today at 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time at the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Escalante, Utah. Meet your guides and fellow trekkers at the group camp site for a gear check and review of the itinerary. We enjoy dinner and drinks in camp while we get to know each other in eager anticipation of our adventure. Campsite accommodations are included. Dinner provided.

• Day 2 Stepping back in time, we begin our trek along the serpentine canyon heading toward the confluence at Death Hollow.

  We get an early start to the day, and depart the campground at 8:00 a.m. A 10-minute drive brings us to our starting point north of the town of Escalante. Beginning at an elevation of 5,840 feet, we make our way into the portal of the canyon where the Escalante River enters the soaring sandstone walls at the sharp flexure of the Escalante Monocline. The town is just a mile away, but we might as well have stepped back in time and fallen in stride with the explorers of yesterday. We track the sandy bench trails that follow the serpentine course of this crazy crooked creek, wading occasionally for a cool down. Our destination is the Escalante's confluence with the clear-flowing tributary of Death Hollow. We'll camp along the sandy river bank with the sheer cliffs of the canyon looming nearby. Lunch & Dinner provided.

  Hiking: ~7-8 miles, 300 feet elevation loss.

• Day 3 Today we'll explore the labyrinths of Death Hollow with only a daypack; be prepared for some water fun!

  Carrying only our daypacks, we venture deep into the labyrinths of Death Hollow where the cascading creek, swimming holes, and grottos of fern and moss create an otherworldly atmosphere. Narrower than the canyon of the Escalante, Death Hollow is filled with vibrant contrasts in color, vegetation and light. Depending on the water level of the river, we may hike to a colossal waterfall (though water's not always falling) hidden deep in the recesses of Mamie Canyon. Be prepared for water fun as we snake in and out of the river making our way up the canyon. Some rock scrambling may be involved, but the destination is sure to be worthwhile. Or you can opt to bask on the banks of the playful swimming holes or boulders lying under the innumerable shady alcoves in this area. We return to the same camp for another great meal and evening under the stars. All meals provided.

  Hiking: 6-8 miles.

• Day 4 With no need to backtrack, we'll continue along our way taking in more southwestern beauty and the Escalante Natural Arch.

  Wake up early to the quietness our hideaway offers, and savor a few moments over a steaming cup of coffee. After breaking camp, we once again tag along the meanderings of the Escalante downstream. Fantastic manifestations of human and geological history await us towards the end of the trail. We enjoy these impressive treasures in relative solitude, relishing not having to compete with numerous tourists. A single short stretch leads us to the Escalante Natural Arch towering over a large well-preserved Anasazi granary. Beyond here, tucked in a side canyon at 130 feet high and 100 feet across, we encounter the largest natural bridge in the Grand Staircase. All too soon we begin to see day hikers and hear the sound of Highway 12 Scenic Byway. We shuttle back to the town of Escalante where we bid our farewells. Your group may choose to enjoy a final dinner together (on your own) and showers may be available at the state park. Breakfast and lunch provided.

  Hiking: ~7-8 miles, 200' elevation loss.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions. This trip is operated rain or shine.

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Professional instruction and guiding; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; group cooking gear; group first aid kit; water filter; backpacking tents; campsite and permit fees.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; insurance of any kind; snacks and energy food; energy drinks; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3–4]. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 35-40 pounds for distances of 5-8 miles daily. The elevation change is minimal however there is a significant amount of walking in deep sand, wading in streams, and fighting through thick vegetation. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

Daytime temperatures usually range between 70 – 90 degrees F but can sometimes climb even higher. Evening temperatures are 50 - 30 degrees F or rarely lower. Rain in general is rare, but there is always the possibility. Late summer departures are prone to afternoon thunderstorms making adequate raingear very important even in this arid landscape.

McCarren International, Las Vegas, NV (300 miles, 5 hours)

Salt Lake City International, Salt Lake City UT (300 miles; 5 hours)

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Daytime temperatures usually range between 70-90 degrees F but can sometimes climb even higher. Evening temperatures are 50-30 degrees F or rarely lower. Rain in general is rare, but there is always the possibility. Late summer departures are prone to afternoon thunderstorms making adequate raingear very important even in this arid landscape.

Gear Checklist