Hiking The Boulder Mail Trail and Death Hollow | GEL Part 1

Backpacking along the Boulder Mail Trail and Death Hollow to begin my 33-day solo adventure in Spring of 2023. Highlights of this first episode include The Boulder Mail Trail, Death Hollow, Bowington Road Route, and the Escalante River Trail.
This is the extended series for my hike and includes a bunch more footage and stories not seen in the original all-in-one overview video. This 12-part series takes a deeper dive into the route I dubbed the Grand Escalante Loop and covers over 400 miles through southern Utah's amazing canyon country, remote plateaus, and high elevations. It was a slow go at times, but still a great hike. 2023 was a unique year with record-breaking snowpack over winter and a rainy spring. Thanks for following along!
The original Overview Video:
• The Grand Escalante Lo...
Detailed map of the route on my website:
www.acrossutah.com/wordpress/m...

Пікірлер: 107

  • @fishnsyd
    @fishnsydАй бұрын

    My husband and I are so excited that your videos are back!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    Ай бұрын

    Awesome -- hope you enjoy the extended series for this hike. 🌞✌

  • @harryjames2299
    @harryjames229911 күн бұрын

    Good to be back on the trail. Thanks.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    10 күн бұрын

    Thanks again for watching! ✌

  • @loricollins3163
    @loricollins31632 ай бұрын

    Yay! Jamal is back!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Glad to FINALLY share this series with everyone. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @CanyonsCalling
    @CanyonsCalling2 ай бұрын

    Exactly what I want to watch in the evening while I hang out near Cannonville. Looking forward to all the episodes!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Cool place to watch it! Hope you enjoyed it and your trip. Cheers! 🌞✌

  • @timluttrell1095
    @timluttrell10952 ай бұрын

    It is great to see you back out and exploring the Utah back country. I'm looking forward to seeing these new vlogs!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Great! Thanks for watching and the comment. 11 more episodes to go! 🌞✌

  • @brentriley4911
    @brentriley49112 ай бұрын

    What a gift. No better camera work!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks -- I appreciate that. Cheers! ✌

  • @joyouslily2982
    @joyouslily29822 ай бұрын

    God has given us such an amazing planet and I’m grateful that you are sharing your journeys through these rugged out of the way places! These old knees are looking at being replaced and I’d never make it where you go! Thank you for slowing down and just enjoying the vast scenery. Blessings!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thank you! Glad you enjoy "following along" -- I'll keep going as long as my knees let me. I appreciate you for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @just_joc
    @just_joc2 ай бұрын

    Been waiting for this series...welcome back! We need more Jamal/Utah in our lives!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I hate that it took so long to get back to this series, but I'm anxious and happy to share it all now. Look for a few episodes a week through June. Cheers! 🌞

  • @bernadettebecher5668
    @bernadettebecher5668Ай бұрын

    Stunning scenery AGAIN. How enjoyable. Love your videos.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy this series. It took a while to finish up after making the original "overview" video, but IMHO the hike definitely deserved an extended look. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @lynnmcbride7694
    @lynnmcbride76942 ай бұрын

    Great filming, great attitude/knowledge, great music. Fun comments too! Your videos give such peace and comfort of seeing God’s country! Sure enjoy! N thank you!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much. I appreciate you for watching and the nice words! 🌞✌

  • @chrisschmandt895
    @chrisschmandt8952 ай бұрын

    Wow, what fun, to get another multi-episode trek video from Jamal! Great to see and looking forward to what's to come. Such a wonderful area.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I'm glad to finally share this one after so many delays. It was definitely a fun hike (even if rough at times) and IMHO deserved a deeper dive with an extended series. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @jeffMinnesota952
    @jeffMinnesota952Ай бұрын

    Its great to be out on the trail with you again Jamal, looking forward to each mile ahead... beautiful rocks, canyons, water and everything... thanks for sharing...

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks! I really had fun on this trek even though it was different than years past in many ways. Sorry it took so long to post, but glad I'm finally able to share the extended series and hope you enjoy it. 🌞✌

  • @w9jim
    @w9jimАй бұрын

    Hi, Jamal. Glad to see you finally posting your extended trip videos. I'm off to a late start watching them, due to a long list of home repairs that seem to take all my time. But, then I get to watch the first 6 videos without having to wait for the next one to follow! So much to see and do in that part of the world. It's one of my favorite places.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks -- this series definitely took longer to get published than I anticipated. But now that they're rolling out there should be two per week through the end of June. Cheers! ✌

  • @williamn0311
    @williamn03112 ай бұрын

    Thank you Jamal for sharing. I really enjoy your videos!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Awesome -- glad you enjoy them. Thanks for watching! ✌

  • @westcoastislander6699
    @westcoastislander66992 ай бұрын

    Whoo Hoo! Jamal's back! I know it's going to be awesome--and I haven't even hit the play button yet!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Haha -- thanks, much appreciated! Hope it lives up to the expectations and look for more in the series coming soon. 🌞✌

  • @lilianm7151
    @lilianm71512 ай бұрын

    Yay, finally! Can't wait for the next one.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks -- glad you liked it. The subsequent videos definitely won't take sooooo long to post. 😉 In fact... hopefully look for the next two coming next week and in theory that rate going forward for June. Cheers! ✌

  • @caropetitjean
    @caropetitjean2 ай бұрын

    A great pleasure seing stars in your eyes, this little flame that makes our eyes never aging (sorry if my english's kind of weird)

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks (and I totally understand what you are saying I think.) I appreciate you for watching and the comment. 🌞

  • @laramassano2340
    @laramassano23402 ай бұрын

    Awesome views with great commentary! Bring on episode 2!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks -- I appreciate that! Looks for two new episodes each week through June. Cheers! 🌞✌

  • @MrProach2
    @MrProach22 ай бұрын

    Great! Another Jamal Utah trip, looking forward to this, as ever. 🙂

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Sorry it took so long to get back to this series, now each week there should be more and more to watch. Hope it's not TOO much! Cheers! 🌞✌

  • @3adam11
    @3adam112 ай бұрын

    YYYEEESSS!!!!!! Finally!!!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Yeah -- I know...my dog ate my hard drive! 😉 But seriously I'm glad that I could finally get back to this and share the extended version. (they were actually nearly done MONTHS ago, but I got distracted and didn't have time to finish them up.) Cheers! ✌

  • @tangenttrails
    @tangenttrails2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for putting this together! Wild that the wire and insulators are still present.✌️

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Yeah -- it really is. I'm glad the BLM has left them there as a historical perspective. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @ernestomendez7419
    @ernestomendez74192 ай бұрын

    Missed you. Glad you're back.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks -- I appreciate that. I'm been anxious to share this version for a while. 🌞✌

  • @roxanneadams1761
    @roxanneadams17612 ай бұрын

    welcome back! looking forward to watching

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I know it's been a while and I'm happy that I can finally share this version. 🌞✌

  • @geli.s24
    @geli.s242 ай бұрын

    Great to see you back in action, we missed you. We still have to wait 101 days until the next southwest trip. lovely greetings from germany

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks -- I've been anxious to share this series for a while. I'm hoping to do another fall trip myself this year. TBD how things shape up. Cheers! 🌞✌

  • @justinellison4117
    @justinellison41172 ай бұрын

    Sweet! Love this content.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I appreciate you for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @atomzero1
    @atomzero12 ай бұрын

    Good to see you again. Love your channel.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Cool deal. I appreciate you for watching and the comment. ✌

  • @potatothorn
    @potatothorn2 ай бұрын

    AWESOME!! was just wondering when these would come out , so good to be on the trail with you again

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! It's so sad because the content really was close to being done back near the first of the year. But... I kept flip-flopping if I wanted to do daily installments or combine into multi-day episodes and then got caught up in a series of distractions. Glad to finally get back to it and get them published. As always... thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @gayleedgar1794
    @gayleedgar17942 ай бұрын

    What a beautiful day of hiking. I love seeing all that slick rock. Thanks!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Yep, even though it was a slow start -- I still loved hiking through that area. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @DebbieHumphries-jm9ig
    @DebbieHumphries-jm9ig2 ай бұрын

    So glad to see this. I was worried that maybe something had happened that prevented you from completing the long video. As always, you have the best videography!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Just a series of distractions! It's funny, but most of the content was close to being done near the beginning of the year, but I kept changing my mind re: doing daily videos vs multi-day episodes. Then had another trip and other distractions. Glad I'm finally able to share it now -- better late than never, right?! Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @beat2609
    @beat2609Ай бұрын

    "Not bad", it looks scary to me. Beautiful photography!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    Ай бұрын

    Haha -- it's really wasn't that bad, but I've definitely learned that different spots affect different people in different ways. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @Karen-dq8nw
    @Karen-dq8nw2 ай бұрын

    Take care of that body in the off season; you only get one! Glad to see more videos!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Yeah... I know you are right! I hoped to do better this off-season, but then went and injured my knee. 😬👎 But... hopefully I'll come back "better . . . stronger . . . faster" like the Six Million Dollar Man! 😀🤞 Thanks for watching and the comment. ✌

  • @ervinslens
    @ervinslens2 ай бұрын

    Outstanding hike man, views are simply incredible! What a journey 🥾🥾

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I appreciate you for watching and the comment. ✌

  • @NorwegianXplorer
    @NorwegianXplorer2 ай бұрын

    Good stuff, I actually loved the Bowington road, going the opposite direction, at least the slickrock parts of. Great video Jamal!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks, Jarl! There are definitely some great views along the the Bowington route, but as a *alternate* to Death Hollow I didn't care for it. The whole time I kept asking myself "Why didn't I just go down Death Hollow?" 😉 Thanks for watching and the comment. ✌

  • @NorwegianXplorer

    @NorwegianXplorer

    2 ай бұрын

    @@Acrossutah Yeah, Death Hollow is something else for sure! Always love seeing that place!

  • @floortap
    @floortap2 ай бұрын

    Nice

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! 🌞✌

  • @primarytrainer1
    @primarytrainer12 ай бұрын

    I really love these videos. I hike a lot in southern Nevada and Utah, but I haven't got enough courage to do what you do since getting cancer (despite being in recovery). I wish I could find a way to get past my anxiety about going solo for more than a day hike. Anyway, hope that you keep the videos coming!! The whole of Utah but especially GSENM is the most beautiful regions in the whole world :)

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I also had anxiety re: going solo for extended hikes when I started long ago -- but that has faded with time In fact, now I think I'm actually more safe when solo as I'm often more prepared and careful since I know I have to rely 100% on my self. Also worth note -- I carry a SAT device for emergency communication if ever needed. And yes... I agree that GSENM is a very special place. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @WJr_88
    @WJr_882 ай бұрын

    Yes! Super excited to see your video uploads. Been wondering and had to join Instagram again to check up on you 😬 Your VLOGS are super amazing and inspiring... And yes, very entertaining! Thank you Jamal ✌️

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Awesome! Yeah... it took a lot longer than expected to get this series published, but I'm glad to finally have it rolling out now. Barring any more big distractions/delays, there should be two new episodes per week through the end of June. Glad you are still following along. Thanks for watching and the comment! 🌞✌

  • @tonylopes911
    @tonylopes9112 ай бұрын

    Yes! I'm excited for your trip Jamal. By the way, I love minutiae.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Awesome -- glad to hear it! Not everyone loves all the extras, but I like putting these longer versions out there for those who do and my own posterity/reference. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @tannerjensen4918
    @tannerjensen4918Ай бұрын

    Super excited to watch all these videos! Thank you for making such pleasant videos :)

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    Ай бұрын

    Great to hear! Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @dirtywetdogboatsandsailing6805
    @dirtywetdogboatsandsailing68052 ай бұрын

    Hi Jamal, thanks for this as I always wanted to see the boulder mail trail from a hiking perspective ; it was first on my list of planned hikes had I ever got to Utah. With recent events I now have to accept that i'm unlikely to ever get there so i'm enjoying it someone else's boots !

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Glad you liked it. I've mentioned on occasion that I really did start this channel to "show" the hikes to my family and friends -- so glad that you enjoying the videos in that same way. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @jerryphillips7330
    @jerryphillips73302 ай бұрын

    Yeah!!! It is finally here!! I have been waiting for this. You are the best for making videos of Utah and the Southwest. I am still thinking about that Go Pro you lost near Green River. It might still be there (:

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks -- I really appreciate that. Yeah -- I think about that camera a lot too! I even make a reference to it in the next video (while in the flooded Zebra Slot.) I actually considering going back to that canyon near Green River this spring, but didn't get a chance like I hoped. Maybe someday! Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @mikekuhl2658
    @mikekuhl26582 ай бұрын

    My favorite desert rat has returned!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Yep -- glad to finally share this series. Thanks for watching and the comment! 🌞✌

  • @utahdan231
    @utahdan2312 ай бұрын

    Look who’s back! Our favorite nature lover and hiker. Great to see you.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Haha -- thanks! Yeah -- had plenty of distraction lately, but glad to finally share this video (and the ones coming soon.) Cheer! 🌞✌

  • @RyanD123
    @RyanD1232 ай бұрын

    I love southern Utah.... Heaven on earth. Thank you for doing all the work while I sit here eating pizza. :D

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Haha -- you are welcome! As I mentioned I load up on the pizza in my "off-season"! Thanks for watching. 🌞

  • @JohnTheLuck3
    @JohnTheLuck32 ай бұрын

    Great to see you back in action! Another great video. I can't wait to watch the following episodes. Great job, and thank you so much to to the time to produce the high quality videos for us to enjoy. They bring back great memories from previous trips. Keep them coming!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I appreciate you for watching and the comment. The subsequent videos in the series won't take as long to post! 😉 Cheers! ✌

  • @salmo3t900
    @salmo3t9002 ай бұрын

    Been missing your fantastic hiking videos. Thanks for posting them

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Yeah, I'm glad I finally got back these and can now share the extended series. Thanks for watching and the comment. ✌

  • @martinforrester8249
    @martinforrester82492 ай бұрын

    Haven't watched it yet, but saved anyway. SO good to see you back, you've been missed.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks -- glad to finally be able to share this content. 🌞✌

  • @jimdove9337
    @jimdove93372 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the video. BMT is one of my favorite backpacking trips. Was curious about making a loop using Bowington Route - curious why you mentioned you wouldn't recommend it to many people. Looked pretty from your video.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Yeah, another commenter said that he enjoyed it and I guess it is nice (in parts), but I just enjoy Death Hollow so much that I would have rather walked down the canyon. I think I'd even prefer DH as an out-and-back hike as opposed to making a loop with Bowington. But... some of the views up top are pretty great so really I guess one can't go wrong either way! Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @roberttalmadge8874
    @roberttalmadge88742 ай бұрын

    Awesome! Great to see you on the trails again!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Glad to finally share this extended series. Thanks for watching and the comment. 🌞✌

  • @sirdevindavis
    @sirdevindavis2 ай бұрын

    My Granite Gear Crown VC 60 (w optional lid) has lasted me ten years, and I love it! (Though one of your trips is probably equivalent to all of mine put together. haha). The multitude of straps make it so you can really compress it down. Have you ever thought of switching to trail runners? Anyway, thanks for bringing us all along on another quest!

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    That's great to hear. Mine actually held up fairly well on this trip, though I was bummed about two minor holes on this first trip. The straps are funny as I was looking to see if there were any that I could eliminate and there really wasn't. I agree -- they really do help compress/balance the load. My old pack could get "shifty" at times and I don't have that problem with this one. Yes, I've considered trail runners, but really like having the ankle support when going up/down steep scree. I'm considering making the switch more and more though as 90% of the time the boots are not needed and just too heavy/cumbersome. So TBD. As always... thanks for watching and the comment! 🌞✌

  • @brcclark6168
    @brcclark61682 ай бұрын

    Jamel your back, Thanks for posting,

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Awesome -- thanks for watching! 🌞✌

  • @sonyaj66
    @sonyaj662 ай бұрын

    Yay!! I'd kind of forgotten that you were going to do an extended TR for this hike, so I was excited to see this video pop up on my feed 😃. Can't wait to see the rest of the series 🍿. It's interesting - last year (fall) was the first time I've ever been to Death Hollow, via day hike from the Boulder TH. It's hard to imagine getting down in/out of that canyon as you approach it, but I was surprised how "un-dicey" it ended up being - no real exposure anywhere. Death Hollow was unexpectedly gorgeous! We've tried a couple of times to find the exit out of the Escalante river at the southern end of the BMT, but could never find it, or cairns. From your map, it looks like it exits at the first side canyon on the left, Pine Creek? I'll have to take a really close look on Google Earth. I missed my spring Utah backpacking trip this year because we were in the middle of moving and selling our house at the beginning of this month, so I'm living vicariously through your trip.

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks! Yeah -- I hate that it too so long, but glad to finally be releasing the series into the "wild". 😀 I too had to skip my big spring hike this year, but have some alternate plans coming up. And yeah -- the BMT exposure really isn't that bad which surprised me based on some of the stories I'd heard. Re: the BMT on the Escalante side -- yes, one has to go up Pine Creek for just a short distance and then the route is sporadically marked as it climbs the backside of the hill with the big "E" on it. Thanks for watching -- cheers! 🌞✌

  • @davidjobson7522
    @davidjobson75222 ай бұрын

    Can I buy you a coffee or beer? Through some website I mean

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    You don't have too, but... I always appreciate any virtual "beers" that people send me. KZread might block the link to the donation site here, so instead here's the link to my site with more info and the official link: www.acrossutah.com/wordpress/buy-me-a-coffee/

  • @lbj4993
    @lbj49932 ай бұрын

    Awesome nature, but too much the same same same landscape in such a long video for my taste; kind of boring but what do I care, it ain't my channel and I have FF...:):):) Cheers

  • @Acrossutah

    @Acrossutah

    2 ай бұрын

    Yep -- I get it and that's partially why for people like you I made the stand-alone overview video which summarizes the entire trip. Check the link in the video description if you want to see that one w/o having to watch the full extended episodes. Seriously... I understand and doesn't hurt my feelings a bit. 😉