Llama Assisted Boulder/Escalante Canyon Country Adventure May 12-20, 2018

Once more into the Canyon Country! For our spring 2018 trip, I have arranged with BJ Orozco of Llama2Boot to shuttle us to a camp on The Gulch, which is actually a clear-water stream a few miles upstream from the Escalante River. This will be a cool and comfortable destination for a mid-May trip. We’ve worried about warm weather in previous Mays, but actually haven’t run into much, and have had our share of cool or even snowy weather instead. There is complex slickrock in many directions from this camp, so there will be plenty to explore in our 5 days of wilderness hiking. The hike to camp involves a one-way hike of a few miles, leaving from The Gulch or Deer Creek trailhead. Our day trips may include optional low-angle technical work. This camp should give us a chance to explore the narrows of the Gulch, given a warm day suitable for swimming.

The trip is limited to a maximum of 8 participants. The llamas and packers will carry our gear in, and then return the day of departure to take us out. We will day hike from our base camp on the intervening days, but individuals are welcome to take their own rest days in camp. Community gear will include tables, stoves, kitchen gear, etc. The personal gear limit is likely to be around 50 pounds, which includes your share in community dinners and any libations. All participants should weigh their loads before bringing them on the trip.

We will drive to Boulder, Utah, arriving on Saturday May 12, and stay in a motel or lodge there. The next day we will meet BJ and load llamas for the hike in, leaving from a trailhead perhaps an hour from Boulder town We will have six nights in the canyon, and exit on Saturday May 19, heading back to Boulder to clean up, have dinner, and overnight before driving back home on Sunday the 20th.

The packer's fee should be about $470 per person, plus tip, if we fill all 8 slots. If you would like to take part, please contact me at bill at priedhorsky dot net. Participants can secure a place with $300 deposit.