Boulder Mail Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Moriah Wolfe on Unsplash

Boulder Mail Trail

2 days · 75.6 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance75.6 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain12,057 ft
Gain / mile159 ft
High point9,948 ft

What the Boulder Mail Trail is known for

The Boulder Mail Trail follows the historic mail route between Boulder and Escalante across Utah's slickrock country, about 15 miles point-to-point, dropping through Death Hollow — a deep Navajo sandstone canyon and the classic overnight stop. Route-finding on open slickrock is required, and overnight trips need a free Grand Staircase-Escalante permit.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Boulder Mail Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 18,816 ft to 31,936 ft over 75.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 27.8 mi · 37%
  • Downhill 37.7 mi · 50%
  • Flat 9.5 mi · 13%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How much elevation gain is on the Boulder Mail Trail?

The Boulder Mail Trail climbs roughly 12,057 ft total — about 159 ft per mile, topping out near 9,948 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the Boulder Mail Trail Plan Free →