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| CANYON TRIPS | ARCHEOHIKE | TRIP DATES & COST | HOME | SIGN UP | CONTACT US | |
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Escalante Canyon Outfitters
P.O. Box 1330
Boulder, Utah 84716
info@ecohike.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
(updated 11/06/11)
Why should we choose ECO?
We founded Escalante Canyon Outfitters in 1991 because we are
passionate about this canyon country and about sharing it with
others. We have developed a way of experiencing the Escalante
Canyons that has a wonderful impact on our guests and keeps them
coming back year after year, while making a minimum impact on
the land. As the longest running, full-service outfitter in the
region, we are a small company specializing in the Escalante
Canyons; we don't lead trips anywhere else. Our guided hiking
trips into the Escalante combine physical activity with a sense
of discovery, adventure and fun leaving you to return home deeply
impressed by the wilderness of southern Utah. Read
more about Escalante Canyon Outfitters
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My vacation dates are flexible, which trip should I pick?
Give us a call at the office and we can help you pick the perfect trip. The slide shows and galleries on the web site can show you the different features of each area we explore. Also, individual trips and difficulty level are detailed on the web site. You are welcome to call our office (888-326-4453) & Grant or Sue can help you pick the perfect trip.
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What sort of shape do I need to be in?
Our hiking trips are designed for people who enjoy an active
lifestyle and are in good health. All of the hiking will involve
(at various times) steep canyon ascents and descents and shallow
river crossings. The biggest adjustment for most is the elevation,
which averages 5,000 feet. The hiking in the canyon is fairly
level, however it becomes steeper when entering and leaving the
canyons. Each itinerary is rated from easy to difficult based
on the hike from trail head to base camp. The hiking group will
depart camp together and in the afternoon the group will be offered
different options. Those opting to hike with Grant Johnson, trip
leader, can be assured of a hiking challenge. Regular exercise
before the trip (including walking on uneven ground) and a positive
outlook toward this beautiful setting will play a big part in
your ability to feel comfortable. If you have any questions about
preparing physically for the trip, please do not hesitate to
call.
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How will I spend my days?
A typical day with us on the Escalante River begins with a call
to coffee and breakfast. We consider the day hiking options,
pack a sandwich and goodies from a lunch buffet and leave camp
as a group. Our hike may take us down the river to view a panel
of Anasazi rock art; a launching point for a discussion about
the prehistoric people who walked in these same steps 1000 years
ago; later, as we cross the river, the wet sand may reveal the
perfect imprint of a mountain lion pad next to the large spread
of a great blue heron track, after lunch a swim in the river
cools us for our hike onto the mesa above the canyon. Here, the
slickrock above the canyon provides a stunning view of the beautifully
intricate canyon country and the surrounding land marks of the
Colorado Plateau: Navajo Mountain, The Aquarius Plateau. The
group may split with some opting for a shorter guided hike back
to camp and others deciding to take a more circuitous route back
to base camp. Each itinerary has been developed to feature the
unique characteristics of one portion of the Escalante Canyons
in the season that suits it best.
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Who will be my guide?
This is probably the most important question you can ask when heading into the wilderness with a guide. All of our trips are lead by Grant Johnson, co-founder of ECO. The men
and women who work with us come from a variety of backgrounds
and all are dedicated naturalists who have been with us for years
and share our love of this country. Our guides are well versed
in the natural and cultural history of the Escalante Canyons
and are happy to share that knowledge with you.
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How big are your groups?
Our maximum group size is 12 people. This includes 9 guests and
3 guides. With this guide to guest ratio of 1:3 we are able to
accommodate people of different interests and abilities. On day
hikes we often split into smaller guided groups so that no one
feels pushed or pulled. The small group size is appropriate to
the wilderness character of the Escalante Canyons and enables
us to adhere to our commitment to high quality service, safety
and minimum impact camping.
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I am traveling by myself; can I sign
up on a trip?
Many of our guests are traveling solo. A typical group includes
singles, couples and friends traveling together. There is no
single supplement charge on any of our trips and a person who
signs up singly is provided with his/her own tent. If you are
interested in a particular trip, you are welcome to call our
office and learn more about the make-up of the group.
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How much do I have to carry?
Because our base camps are supplied by horses, you will only
need to carry a day pack for your water, lunch, camera and whatever
else you need for the day.
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What is the food like?
Our guests often tell us that the food on their trip was a highlight.
Our cooks create delicious and healthy meals prepared on-site.
Since our camp is supplied by horses, we are not limited by weight
and are able to provide fresh and delicious ingredients for each
meal, some of which is grown in our garden. With advance notice,
dietary restrictions are happily accommodated.
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I'm flying out & don't want to check my bag, can I mail you my stuff?
Absolutely! I am happy to receive packages via USPS, UPS or FedEx. Just give me a call and we'll work out the details.
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What do I need to take?
The season of your trip will determine the appropriate clothing.
ECO will provide you with a clothing/personal item list when
you register for the trip. Also, you can view the pack list on
this site. Because of the varied terrain, we recommend that you
have a lightweight and comfortable pair of hiking boots and shoes
for wading. With the exception of sleeping bags (which
you can bring with you or rent from ECO), we provide all the
gear needed for luxury wilderness camping including sleeping pads, tents, serving
tables, comfortable chairs, cooking gear, large and small first
aid kits.
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Do you have any reading recommendations to help me prepare?
Grant, ECO co-founder and trip leader, is an avid reader. Here is his short list of recommended reading.
Hole in the Rock by David Miller. This is the most comprehensive book I have read on this epic "mission."
Utah's Black Hawk War by John Peterson. This is a very interesting book about the interaction between the settlers and the residents of (mainly) southern Utah.
Standing Up Country: The Canyon Lands of Utah and Arizona by Gregory Crampton. I highly recommend this book if you want to learn about the canyon country. It covers all of the basics, especially the history and has lots of interesting historic pictures.
Heart of the Desert Wild by Greer Chesher and Liz Hymans. This book was written as an overview of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. It covers all the natural history subjects concisely and accurately.
Colorado Plateau: A Geologic History by Donald Barrs. This is pure geology written for the layman. Half of the book is about the Grand Canyon, which includes all of the formations under southern Utah and the other half concerns the canyon country formations in southeastern Utah.
Everett Ruess: A Vagabond For Beauty by W.L. Rusho. Everett Ruess explored the Escalante Canyons and disappeared in them in 1935 at the age of 21.
Uranium Frenzy: Saga of the Nuclear West by Raye Ringholz
We have compiled bird sighting records provided by our guests and guides. You are welcome to download the sighting record here (pdf file).
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What are your tents and pads like?
The tents that we provide are made by Kelty. If you sign up by yourself you will be given a Kelty Teton 2 model tent. The dimensions are 90"x50"x40". If you sign up as a couple you will be given a Teton 4. The dimensions of this tent are 98"x80"x58". These tents are a two pole clip on design and are very easy to set up. They have lots of netting on the top of the tent. On warm summer nights we leave the rain fly off to view the stars.
The inflatable pads are a model called the ProLite 4 made by Thermarest. We use the large which measures
25"x77". They are 1.5" thick and are self-inflating (just open the valve) but we usually blow a little extra air in for a firmer mattress.
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How do I register for a trip?
First thing that you should do is read the information regarding the trip and the FAQs on this page carefully. Then we suggest that you call our
office to confirm that space is available on the trip you want. At this point you will probably have some logistics to work out (time off of work, flight and travel arrangements, etc.). Let us know if you have picked a date and have some things to work out. Generally, we can hold space (unsecured) for a few days.
Next, fill out the reservation form and send it to our office
with a deposit to hold your space. For your convenience we accept
personal checks, money orders or MasterCard and Visa. Once we
receive your reservation form we will mail out a confirmation
packet containing all the details (itinerary, pack list, etc.)
for your adventure into the Escalante.
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Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, we do. We offer a 10% discount for repeat clients. Additionally, we offer a 10% discount to a group of 4 - 6 people and 15% for 7 or more people. We do not double discount.
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What is the closest airport?
The closest major airport is in Salt Lake City. It is about 250 miles north of Boulder, UT. The airport in Las Vegas is also an option. It is about 300 miles south of Boulder. There is an airport in Cedar City, UT (about 150 miles to the west) but the flight schedule is so limited that it is not a good option. The airport in Grand Junction, CO. is expanding service and that may be worth investigating. It is about 240 miles to the east.
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Should I buy trip insurance?
We strongly recommend that you buy trip insurance. Every year we have a client or clients cancel their trip at the last minute due to something completely unforeseen that shifts their priorities away from a vacation. Additionally, we have seen accident or illness interrupt a trip and necessitate early departure. While we are completely sympathetic to these contingencies we cannot deviate from our cancellation policy. In all likelihood we have turned people away from the trip and there is little chance that we could fill your space.That said, we feel that buying insurance verses self-insuring is a personal decision. We ask that you consider
your potential financial exposure and loss while signing up for a trip. Having looked at the travel insurance market we see that there are many companies and many policies and have found a site that represents a wide spectrum of both. To compare and or purchase trip interruption and cancellation insurance, please visit: www.insuremytrip.com
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| Where do the trips start and how do I get there? All trips begin and end in Boulder, Utah at the Burr Trail Outpost and Grill on the corner of Highway 12 and the Burr Trail. We recommend that you stay in town the night before departure. Boulder is about 250 miles south of Salt Lake City and 300 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are all within a days drive. Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to this remote spot in Utah. Guests who fly into the area rent a car and drive into Boulder visiting some of the neighboring National Parks and acclimating to the average elevation of 5,000 along the way. We have had some luck matching guests to share a ride. Whether approaching Boulder from the southwest or the north, there are a number of route choices. Some of these routes are better driven in the daylight hours for both beauty and safety. For example, the drive on Highway 12 between Torrey and Boulder takes you through the Dixie National Forest and a pass over 9000' in elevation. Snow at this elevation is not uncommon in the spring and fall. Feel free to call Sue in the office for help planning the drive. back to top |
There are a few places to stay here in town; Pole's Place Motel and Eatery (800-730-7422) has 12 rooms and burgers for those on the go, the Boulder Mountain Lodge (800-556-3446) has 20 rooms with the Hell's Backbone Grill offering delicious and creative food, the Circle Cliffs Motel (435-335-7333) has 3 rooms. Just outside of town is the Boulder Mountain Ranch (435-335-7480) offering cabin lodging. The Boulder Mesa Restaurant offers all three meals. Our trip meeting place, the Burr Trail Grill & Deli offers lunch and dinner and does some great specials. The Burr Trail Outpost (located with the Grill at the corner of Highway 12 and the Burr Trail) is open in the morning for espresso. The Grill also has a unique selection of jewelry, books and outdoor gear and features the work of local artists. For gas (Sinclair, 24 hour pumps), batteries, film, and a good selection of beverages and chips go to the Hills and Hollows on the west end of town. For an introduction to the Anasazi Indians, visit the Anasazi State Park (north end of town across from Pole's Place). If you would like us to check on availability, hours or rates, give Sue a call in the office.
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