Egypt & The Golden Cathedral 

This rewarding Utah backpacking tour starts at Egypt Bench, a remote location down the famous Hole In The Rock Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. After final packing at the trailhead, we will begin our hike across open slickrock and descend into Fence Canyon. Our camp that night will be along the Escalante River, in what used to be an old cowboy camp.

Drive Time: 4 hours

Distance & Elevation: 6 miles, 1000 foot descent

Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast we continue down into the depths of this fantastic canyon towards Neon Canyon, home to the Golden Cathedral, a remarkable sandstone alcove featuring an amazing triple arch in the ceiling. After snapping some photos, we’ll load up the backpacks and head further downstream to our camp for the night. Each bend of the canyon will bring more and more rewarding views. The afternoon offers the opportunity to explore some overland routes that offer incredible views of Navajo Mountain, Chop Rock and the Straight Cliffs.

Distance & Elevation: 6 miles, minimal elevation change

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s journey will head further down the ever-winding Escalante River Gorge, passing ancient rock art and stopping along the way to investigate more inviting tributary drainages and secret slot canyons. Our backpacking miles will be short today so that we can enjoy more day hiking exploration.

Distance & Elevation : 6 miles, up to 800 foot ascent/descent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a great sunrise over canyon country, we will begin our exit out of this sandstone maze. Once on the rim, you will enjoy incredible vistas of the Escalante River canyons, Capitol Reef, and the Henry Mountains, one of the last places in the lower 48 states to be mapped. The cross-country route is one of the highlights of the hike and will offer views you won’t soon forget. Once back at the trailhead, we’ll celebrate with a delicious lunch before heading back to St. George.

Distance & Elevation: 6 miles

Breakfast, Lunch

Drive Time: 4 hours

• A professional, licensed and medically trained guide
• All necessary gear: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles
• All cooking/eating gear: bowls, cups, utensils (your guide will prepare all meals)
• All meals from a light breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day + trail snacks
• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in St. George, UT to trailhead
• Entrance fees and backcountry permits

• Transportation to/from Flagstaff, AZ
• Lodging the night before/after the trip
• Clothing, raingear, and footwear
• Personal toiletries, sunscreen
• Water bottles/hydration bladder
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Guide gratuity (suggested 10-20% of trip cost)

*Upon Booking you will receive a detailed trip information packet

Most backpacking trips in Utah will accommodate 5 people plus one guide. On occasion, a group may be as large as 10 people plus 2 guides.

Children under the age of 13 are generally not permitted on backpacking trips. This restriction may be negotiable on private tours. Please contact us with any questions regarding this policy.

In order to confirm a reservation, we require an initial deposit of $250 per person, with the final balance due 90 days prior to the trip’s departure. If you book a trip within 90 days of the trip’s scheduled departure, then full payment is due at the time of booking.

Once we confirm availability, you will be provided with an online registration link. Your deposit is payable online by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or ACH transfer.

This trip will begin/end in St. George, UT and you will need to spend the night prior to your trip’s scheduled departure in St. George. You will want to fly into either Las Vegas (2 hour drive) or St. George.

We will hold a pre-trip orientation at 7:00pm the evening prior to your trip’s departure at the Best Western Abbey Inn in St. George. Departure times and logistics for the following morning will be discussed at the orientation. Most trips will depart between by 6:30am.

We will provide all transportation to/from trailheads for the duration of the trip. We will pick you up at your hotel in St. George and return you there at the trip’s conclusion. Guests staying at the Best Western Abbey Inn (recommended) can leave their cars at the hotel. The hotel will often store your luggage for you, as well, but please confirm this option in advance. If you are staying at a different hotel, you will need to check with them as to whether you can leave your car/luggage there.

Expect to be back in St. George by 5pm at the latest on the last day of the trip. Many trips will return earlier but we cannot make any guarantees. In general, it is recommended that you do not plan to fly home on the same day your trip finishes. Since each trip has slightly different logistics, feel free to contact us with specific questions related to the expected return time for your trip.