Llama-supported hiking in the Escalante country, April 17-25, 2026

Dear Mountaineers,

It looks like we can pull off a llama trip once again for spring 2026. Llama packer BJ and I have agreed to dates for a drop camp. BJ will plan to stay with us at camp, which will be a pleasure, since we enjoy his company.

We will head to a single destination for the duration of the trip, trying again for the site that we had targeted for spring 2025 – on the uplands above the confluence of the Escalante River and Harris Wash, with good hiking access to the plateau and below. With an earlier April trip date, there will be better chance of the water that we need to make that camp.

We will follow our usual schedule, spending 6 nights in the canyon country, with 5 nights of exploring from our base camp. The country is interesting enough that we can fill the week with discoveries.

We will develop plans and weight limits for gear as time goes on. For this trip, BJ is likely to provide the chairs, tables, stoves, tarps, and propane, so that he can shuttle them in before we arrive, to reduce our payload when we go in.

If we fill the trip, the fee for the llama packing will approximately $550 per person, plus tip; there can be modest additional costs for expendables like propane and water filter cartridges. Last fall we hired a camp helper for about $150 more person, and it was very helpful.

Schedule:

(optional) Thursday, April 16. Leave Los Alamos, drive to Bluff, Utah (5 1/2 hours).

Friday, April 17: drive to Escalante, Utah from home or Bluff, overnight in a motel. Let’s carpool as much as possible.

Saturday, April 18: meet llama packer BJ, head into the canyon, hiking crosscountry from the trailhead to camp. It is helpful if some of us share the llama leading on the way to and from camp.

Sunday-Thursday: five full days in the canyon wilderness, with explorations every day

Friday, April 24 hike out, stay at a motel probably in Torrey, UT

Saturday, April 25: drive home all or part way

I will be arranging blocks of rooms for lodging in Escalante and Torrey as the trip comes closer.

Let me know if you want to join in. While BJ is hoping to transition the llama business to new owners, and we hope that will go through, we still don’t know if we can do llama trips in this area after this outing. Participation is limited to 8, including myself. The deposit to hold a slot will be $600 paid to me. Sincerely, Bill