The isolated trails between Boulder and Escalante, Utah, were important to the history of both towns. A foot trail used by Indians for centuries connected the two areas and was known as the Death Hollow Trail, crossing steep and dangerous country traveled by mules, horses, and people. In 1902, the U.S. Postal Service awarded James Schow a $200-per-year contract for twice-weekly mail delivery over the shorter Indian trail, and he used two to ten mules to carry mail, medicine, and occasional travelers. The Old Boulder Mail Trail left Escalante, crossed the creek, climbed the hill on the white rocks above the dark ridge, passed places where steps were cut into the rocks, continued more easily across Antone Flat, then descended perilously into Death Hollow. It crossed Mamie Creek and Sand Creek, reached New Home Bench, and left mail for Salt Gulch in a wooden box nailed to a tree. In 1910, the U.S. Forest Service ran a telephone line along the trail to Boulder, attaching wires to rocks and trees, and some glass insulators can still be seen in the treetops. In 1924, Parcel Post became available, and the mules carried sewing machines, boots, pots, pans, machine parts, and cans of cream bound for the creamery. In the early 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built better roads, and after Hell's Backbone Bridge was completed, the trail was no longer necessary for mail, though it remained a shortcut often used by young men hurrying to dances in either town.