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UTAH | Mountain Bike Tour

THE AQUARIUS TRAIL

Backcountry Hut Trip

Mountain Biking

Private Tours and Custom ToursSolos, Couples & Friends
Departure: St. George, UT
Tour Offered: Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Departs On: Sunday

Duration: 6 Days
Lodging: Backcountry Huts
Fitness Level: 3-5
Technical Level: 3-5
Elevation Range: 6,000 - 10,000 ft.

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Overview

The Greatest Bicycle Adventure In The American West!

Welcome to Utah’s Color Country, one of the greatest places in the world to ride your bike. Ride the Aquarius Trail and enjoy the marvels and scenery from the peak of Brian Head, through Panguitch, Hatch and Bryce, down to the beautiful town of Escalante.

From the seat of your bike you will experience, Brian Head Peak at a towering 11,306ft, down Proctor Canyon into the quaint little town of Hatch. Meander past the Tropic Reservoir and ride on into Red Canyon, home of the infamous Thunder Mountain Trail and the Red Canyon Bike Path. Keep exploring all the Dixie National Forest has to offer; like a big climb up to the scenic Powell Point where John Wesley Powell surveyed Southern Utah. In the days ahead you’ll enjoy remote hut accommodations, secret singletrack and fast descents to more beautiful places. You won’t want to miss this!

Complete with solar power for charging electronic devices, fully-stocked kitchens with a refrigerator and freezer, lighting, hammocks, large decks, bathroom facilities, bicycle repair tools and stands, playing cards, fire pit, cozy sleeping arrangements, and more, the Aquarius Trail Hut System provides a unique bikepacking experience like no other.

Forest Service-approved pit toilet bathrooms and body rinse stations are available at each hut. On the surrounding deck you will find sections of turf to spread out on, lazy chairs, and space to hang the two supplied hammocks. Additionally, there is a propane fire pit to roast marshmallows or just hang out and tell stories of the day’s adventure. Each unit and the kitchen have electronic charging outlets to charge phones and small electronics. The storage area has a generator (to charge ebikes), bike stands, and tools for basic maintenance on your bike.

Our trip leaders will prepare meals for you throughout the trip, and haul your gear from hut to hut. Learn more about the huts.

Day 1 Itinerary & Trails

Your adventure begins at Brian Head Peak (11,307), where you descend the exciting Bunker Creek Singletrack. Mountain Bike Action Magazine rated this Singletrack as one of the top ten best trails in America! It descends 2,885 feet over 12 miles to Panguitch Lake where we catch an exciting and fun 15-mile route through ponderosa and juniper forests—dappled with ancient lava beds and rolling meadows—to the Hatch Hut in Hatch, Utah.

Day 2 Itinerary & Trails

Energize with a hearty breakfast for this morning’s invigorating eight-mile, 2,500-foot climb through Proctor Canyon to the top of Sunset Cliffs! Sunset Cliffs is the mountain border for the Bryce Canyon Valley. After viewing the stunning scenery, you descend eight miles to Tropic Reservoir, and take a plunge in the crisp (yet refreshing) waters. Cruise a 19-mile section of the Great Western Trail to Red Canyon. Once you get to the hut take a little time for hiking or opt for the Cassidy Loop in Red Canyon. Enjoy sunset over beautiful Red Canyon.

Day 3 Itinerary & Trails

Get ready for some of the best single-track in Utah–Red Canyon. From the hut, ride down Thunder Mountain Trail through the beautiful hoodoos of Red Canyon. From here cross Highway 12 and ride up to the Casto Canyon trailhead, passing many amazing views of Slate Mountain and Powell Point. Casto Canyon, crosses a small creek bed up to 44 times before eventually meeting up with jeep roads that cross the high planes of Bryce Canyon country to Pine Lake Hut. Pine Lake is a nice relaxing lake where you can fish or swim and cool off for the evening.

Day 4 Itinerary & Trails

Today you will climb to the top of the Aquarius Trails namesake – the Aquarius Plateau! Get ready for the BIG climb -2,200 feet over 10 miles to the top of Barney Top 10, 577 feet. On your way to the top, don’t forget to ride out to Powell Point (an optional 8-mile out and back ride to a vista overlooking southern Utah). Once back on route, continue onto Barney Top and across spectacular high meadows to the Aquarius Hut at Clayton Springs. If you are still thriving for another ride, opt to ride down to Barker Reservoir and back. The ride drops 500 feet to the reservoir so don’t forget you have a climb back to the hut!

Day 5 Itinerary & Trails

There are two different ride options from the Aquarius Hut to the midpoint at Posey Lake. Take the non-technical ride on Hell’s Backbone Road or choose the backcountry singletrack ride on the Great Western Trail. Each is very different. The dirt road option is across big open meadows with antelope roaming freely while riding along the mountain singletrack, you will be challenged to technical riding and more climbing (climb 2,500 feet and descend 3,300 feet over the first 15 miles). Choose to stop at Posy Lake where, time permitting, you might have the opportunity to do some hiking around the lake. (If you are on a 5 day 4 night hut adventure, this is where you leave the Aquarius Trail and drop down the short route back to Escalante). From here choose dirt road or then ride cowpuncher 5 mile singletrack to Cowpuncher Guard Station and Blue Spruce Campground. From here both options collide into the ride up to Hell’s Backbone Bridge and across Box Death Hollow Wilderness and then finally descending to Hell’s Backbone Hut at Sand Creek.

Day 6 Itinerary & Trails

Passing through various vegetation zones, today’s ride borders the Box Death Hollow Wilderness. Continue riding along Hell’s Backbone Road until you reach Scenic Highway 12. From here it is a beautiful ride along the Hogback back to Escalante. Along the way, stop at Calf Creek and cool off in the crystal clear waters. Optional 3 mile hike to Calf Creek Falls is a great side trip as well. This 128 foot waterfall is nothing shy of amazing! One big climb on the road after Calf Creek is followed by a gradual descent to Escalante to conclude your 190 mile adventure!

Escape Adventures operates under a special use permit on the Dixie National Forest

*eBikes are permitted on the Aquarius Trail. However, eBikes must follow the eBike route and are not allowed on the singletrack on days 1, 3 and 5.

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Lodging

Aquarius Trail Backcountry Huts

The Aquarius Trail Hut System provides and supports a backcountry experience like no other! A system of five huts are strategically placed along a 190 mile route through some of Utah’s most scenic backcountry – spanning from the peak of Brian Head at 11,307’ to the beautiful town of Escalante at 5,820’. The section of Utah called “Color Country” includes many well-known attractions such as Powell Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Brianhead Ski Resort, Red Canyon, Aquarius Plateau, Dixie National Forest, the Hogback, Escalante National Monument and much much more!

From the seat of your bike, you’ll enjoy remote hut accommodations, purpose built singletrack to wild singletrack, challenging jeep tracks, dirt roads, hidden lakes, and spectacular vistas. E-bikes are allowed at each hut so groups of mixed abilities can enjoy the same adventure. Our huts provide a luxury bikepacking experience, complete with body rinse stations, solar power for charging electronic devices, fully stocked kitchens with a refrigerator and freezer, lighting, hammocks, large decks, Forest Service-approved pit toilet bathrooms, bicycle repair tools and stands, playing cards, fire pit, cozy sleeping arrangements, and more.

While we do our best to bring you the above hotel accommodations, lodging may vary depending on your departure date. Call us at 1.800.596.2953 for more details.

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Activities

This Trip is Rated Fitness Levels 3-5 and Technical Levels 3-5

While every Escape Adventure trip is designed to appeal to active adventure seekers, and in many cases, particular skill levels, there is always a different idea of what that exactly means. That is why we have designed the chart below to help make sure you join the proper tour. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companions’ may differ as well. We present a range of mileage options on each tour as well as provide support vehicles as much as possible. That way you can take a break and do as little or as much as you would like each day.

Daily Activities
Day	Activity	Easy		Moderate		Seasoned
Day	Activity	Miles	Feet Gain	Miles	Feet Gain	Miles	Feet Gain
Day 1	Ride from Brian Head to Hatch					Seasoned: 36 Miles	3103 Ft. Gain
Day 2	Ride from Hatch to Red Canyon					Seasoned: 28.3 Miles	2875 Ft. Gain
Day 2	Optional Evening Ride					Seasoned: 13 Miles	1099 Ft. Gain
Day 3	Ride from Red Canyon to Pine Lake			Moderate: 23 Miles	1448 Ft. Gain	Seasoned: 42.7 Miles	3651 Ft. Gain
Day 4	Ride from Pine Lake to Clayton Springs					Seasoned: 27.5 Miles	4094 Ft. Gain
	Optional Ride to Powell Point					Seasoned: 8.5 Miles	804 Ft. Gain
	Optional Ride to Barker Reservoir					Seasoned: 9.7 Miles	500 Ft. Gain
Day 5	Ride from Clayton Springs to Hell's Backbone					Seasoned: 30 Miles	3367 Ft. Gain
Day 5	E-Bike Route					Seasoned: 31 Miles	3277 Ft. Gain
Day 6	Ride from Hell's Backbone to Escalante					Seasoned: 35.7 Miles	2573 Ft. Gain

Find out more about Choosing a Tour.

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Weather

Weather predictions in this area are often unreliable due to the elevation, so it is best to be prepared for cold nights and inclement weather. Please use the following locations when checking the weather online:
Escalante, UT

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All-Inclusive Prices

All internal land expenses and services are covered in the cost of your tour. This means from the time we pick you up at our meeting point, until we drop you back off to head home, all transportation, food preparation, meals (except where noted on itineraries), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, group supplies and community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.) are included. Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations (lodging) are also included, along with at least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s). Trip price does not include airfare, lodging prior to trip start or bicycle rental and/or camping gear (if on a camping tour) unless otherwise noted on itinerary or website.

Renting Bicycles

Not only do we run an international bike tour business, but we also own and operate a premiere bicycle store – www.LasVegasCyclery.com. We have learned over the years that every cyclist is different and prefers different types of bikes for different types of terrain. That is why we offer the best bicycles for rent in the business. If for some reason you are not happy with the quality of your rental, we will refund the cost of your entire bike rental. If you are bringing your bike with you, check with your airline’s baggage policy in advance and be sure to pack your bike accordingly. If you are shipping your bike to your destination, confirm the address with our office and allow enough time for your bike to arrive. We’re happy to help you ship your bike. Whatever you need to get the most out of your tour, we are here to make it happen.

Free With Every Tour

When you join an Escape Adventures tour in 2025, you will receive a FREE custom sublimated Limited Edition Jersey!

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Mountain Bike Rentals

Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our rentals meet our high standards. All of our mountain bikes are equipped with full suspension frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have electric mountain bikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.
For multi-sport tours, daily bike rental fees are charged on mountain biking days only.

Specialized Full Suspension Mountain Bike ($70/day)

This new Specialized Full Suspension bike is the best bang for your buck! This bike features 140 mm of front and rear travel, which is plenty of cushion to soak up any bump in the trail. Visit the Specialized site for more information. Individual components on rental bikes may vary slightly. Call for more information.

Electric Mountain Bike Rentals

Specialized Turbo Levo Full Suspension E-Bike ($130/day)

The Turbo Levo Comp 6Fattie 650b has the perfect blend of trail performance, proper handling, technology, and durability, delivering you the power to ride more trails, longer, more comfortably.

Detailed Itinerary

Why travel with Escape Adventures?

Our Commitment to You

For over 25 years, the hallmark of an Escape Adventures tour is personalized, hands-on service. Before, during, and after each trip. We are a company of honesty and integrity and we stand behind our product 100%. From the moment you learn of our trips, to the time you return home and start planning your next trip, we are here to bring you the best possible experience. From our Guaranteed Trip Departure Confirmation Policy, making sure your trip is never cancelled*, to our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Policy, backing the unrivaled consistent quality of all our tours, our commitment to you is never compromised. * Scheduled Domestic trips only.

Our Commitment to the Environment

Our environmental commitment is second to none. We run our tours the same way we run our company, with an eye on the triple bottom line: People, Profit & Planet. At Escape Adventures, we elected to pursue a more comprehensive approach to actually reduce our carbon footprint, rather than just offset it. We overhauled our entire operation — from our vehicles, to our buildings, to our procedures — to become an outdoor industry leader in the charge to help our people and our planet.

Exceptional Service and Exceptional Guides

Leading tours naturally followed from our passion of exploring our favorite places with our friends. Our support staff includes our reservation team who is there to answer your questions about the tours, our service team who prepares your bike and gear for the tour, and our guide team – the ones who take you into the great outdoors. The highest level of responsibility, good nature, integrity, and dedication are standard traits of all those who work at Escape Adventures. We are proud of it and we think you should know it.

The Best Support Vehicles

Having custom-made vehicles allows us to take you to places few other outfitters can, or will go. Every Escape Adventures tour is accompanied by at least one support vehicle, trailer, and in some cases a second and third transfer van. After purchase, we custom engineer our trucks, vans, and trailers by our on-staff mechanic to meet the unique needs of different tours. For example, certain trucks are specifically designed for The White Rim and The Maze, while others are designed for The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Each of our guides is required to be trained in safe vehicle operation, 4X4 driving, and basic maintenance. Our experienced guides make it look easy, transporting you and up to 12 guests, along with their bikes, fresh food, and plenty of drinking water to a remote location.

The Best Bicycles and Gear

Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle-free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Santa Cruz and Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our rentals meet our standards. All of our mountain bikes are equipped with full suspension frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have eMountainbikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.

The Best Food

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.

Food is a big part of the Escape Adventures experience. Most dinners and breakfasts are served at local restaurants on our inn tours. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you are out riding. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! Many of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we are more than happy to accommodate. If you have special diet requirements or limitations, just let us know when you sign-up and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.

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Reviews

Excellent 72 year old here. Did Aquarius Trail last week of July. Hot, high and fantastic. You should be ready to climb, do 20+ miles/day and be very comfortable on a mountain bike. Great food, guides and huts. I recommend this highly. - aichelle13 - 8/03/2023

Aquarius Trail Hut System TL/DR: Would do again 10/10RIDE Unbelievable ride and scenery with a never-ending buffet of Utah goodies: gorgeous single track, jeep roads up and down though spectacular desert/mountains and even some road miles through mind-blowing red rock surroundings. If you are a super fit dirt head then probably do all of the add-on rides too to get your fill. If you are not so strong but can still pedal and deal with some technical riding then maybe an ebike will save your ass. Anyone who is in decent shape with bike skills can do this ride but stronger is definitely better.GUIDES These are the guides you are looking for…. Carter Lee, Bobby Dean Nelson and Todd are your Dream Guide Team bringing leadership, local experience, trail and hut knowledge, riding chops, mechanical wizardry and all around good times. Bonus points for cooking skills.HUTS Aquarius Trail Hut System is one of a kind and awesome - each hut is in an insane setting with insulated bunk houses, a full kitchen and solar power for you phone and GPS plus every hut has propane fire pits, hammocks, a guitar and a bluetooth speaker for some post-ride chill - Chris - 1/12/2022

Fantastic Guided Mountain Bike Trip (6 days) Great mountain biking trip in beautiful Southern Utah! Snow and rain threw us a curveball on day one, but Escape Adventures reworked our itinerary and we had a great time! Guides Merrick and Matt were awesome, as were the bikes, camping gear, and meals! I'd highly recommend Escape Adventures for your next active adventure trip. - B Shanahan - 10/20/2021

GREAT time on mountain bikes - Bryce, St. George, Cedar City Great experience with guides Carter and Pete. They did everything in their power to ensure a pleasant experience for all 10 of us experienced mountain bikers navigating issues around weather, geography, injuries, interests and shifting enthusiasm. I would highly recommend this company. - Eric S - 10/13/2021

Aquarius Trail-Hut 2 Hut Our group of 8 friends rode the Aquarius Trail with Escape Adventures on their Hut 2 Hut tour. Our gear was taken to each hut and our incredible guides, Kelsey and Matt, provided lunch each day at mid-way points. The Huts were excellent and the food was incredible. Kudos to the Escape Adventure team for working with the Forest Service to set up beautiful Hut locations. The daily distance and vertical would be a challenge for self assisted tours so I highly recommend using the Escape support team. Our group consisted of experience riders with excellent gear. This trail is not for beginners. - thomastX8026TB - 10/07/2021

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$2,099

Per Person

THE AQUARIUS TRAIL

Backcountry Huts: $2,099

E-Bike Available

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Escape Adventures

5.0 Stars - 673 Reviews

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1.800.596.2953
info@escapeadventures.com

10575 Discovery Dr
Las Vegas, NV 89135

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A Word From Our Founders

Since 1992, we at Escape Adventures have been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Each successive season, our passion for adventure grows through memorable moments with our guests. Fresh air, faith, fitness and friends are the building blocks for our ventures, the treasured experiences that keep us moving forward. For those of you who have trekked and traveled with us over the past quarter century, Heather and I express our sincerest gratitude. The memories are priceless.

For those who have yet to tour with us, we appreciate the opportunity to introduce you to our family-run company and guiding principles of sustainability and adventure. Our portfolio specializes in Western North America and is rapidly growing internationally. Building on over 100 destinations, we cater to the full spectrum of active traveler, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first-timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels, on behalf of our Escape Adventures family, we look forward to many new and exciting adventures with you.

With much gratitude, and happy trails,

Jared and Heather Fisher

Founders and Owner-Operators
Escape Adventures
Quick Links

THE AQUARIUS TRAIL

Give Us a Call!

THE AQUARIUS TRAIL

Backcountry Hut Trip

Overview

The Greatest Bicycle Adventure In The American West!

Day 1 Itinerary & Trails

Day 2 Itinerary & Trails

Day 3 Itinerary & Trails

Day 4 Itinerary & Trails

Day 5 Itinerary & Trails

Day 6 Itinerary & Trails

Lodging

Aquarius Trail Backcountry Huts

Activities

Daily Activities

Weather

All-Inclusive Prices

Renting Bicycles

Free With Every Tour

Mountain Bike Rentals

Specialized Full Suspension Mountain Bike ($70/day)

Electric Mountain Bike Rentals

Specialized Turbo Levo Full Suspension E-Bike ($130/day)

Why travel with Escape Adventures?

Our Commitment to You

Our Commitment to the Environment

Exceptional Service and Exceptional Guides

The Best Support Vehicles

The Best Bicycles and Gear

The Best Food

Scheduled Departure Dates

July 2026

August 2026

September 2026

October 2026

Private & Custom Tours

Rates on Private and Custom Departures:

Reviews

#myescape - Guest Photos from THE AQUARIUS TRAIL

THE AQUARIUS TRAIL

Tour Photos

Give Us a Call!

Similar Tours

BRIAN HEAD SINGLETRACK

THE MAZE

THE TRAIL OF THE ANCIENTS

A Word From Our Founders

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