Guided Escalante Route backpacking

Escalante Adventure

  • Location: Grand Canyon East, Arizona
  • Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Season: March – May, September – November
  • Price and dates: coming soon

A rugged eastern canyon traverse exploring remote river corridors, colorful desert terrain, and adventurous backcountry routes.

Approximate mileage: 32–40 miles. Route: Tanner Trail → Papago Creek → Hance Rapids → Red Canyon → New Hance Trail Exit.

Trip highlights

  • Rugged Tanner Trail descent
  • Remote Papago Creek camp
  • Hance Rapids on the Colorado River
  • New Hance Trail exit

Itinerary

  1. Tanner Trail to Tanner Beach Guests descend the rugged Tanner Trail toward the Colorado River corridor.
  2. Traverse to Papago Creek The route follows remote sections of the Escalante route system toward Papago Creek.
  3. Papago Creek to Hance Rapids The journey continues west toward Hance Rapids and the Colorado River corridor.
  4. Hance Rapids to Red Canyon The route gradually climbs away from the river corridor into Red Canyon.
  5. Exit via New Hance Trail The adventure concludes with the rugged ascent out of the canyon via the New Hance Trail.

Included

  • Professional licensed guides
  • Backcountry permits
  • Group camping gear & cooking equipment
  • Three meals per day on trail

Not included

  • Personal backpacking pack & sleeping system
  • Travel to and from the trailhead
  • Lodging before & after the trip
  • Gratuities
  • Park entrance fees

Meeting point

Lipan Point, 7:00 AM

Trail maps for this trip