Surprisingly, the American pony express operated only a very short period of time — for eighteen months from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861, between Missouri and California. Yet, thanks to the popularity of books, movies and TV shows, most people have heard of it and believe it was in existence for many years.
But what’s really surprising is that another equine mail route has been continuously operating for almost a hundred years, if not longer. The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum’s earliest photo of these equines delivering mail is from 1938, but the route was already firmly established by then. Who are these equines and where is the mail route, you ask? Let me introduce you to the mules who, five days a week, carry letters and packages, including those from Amazon, down nine miles of steep trails in the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch and the community of Havasupai people living at the bottom.
Each mule can carry up to two hundred pounds. It takes three hours for the string of mules to walk down and five hours to walk back up — while being led by a single wrangler. On the return trip, the mules are untethered. Smart and well-trained, they walked single file, nose to tail. There are usually two mule trains each delivery day, allowing the wrangler and mules a chance to rest overnight.
Why mules, you ask? For one, motor vehicles, which would damage the environment and the Grand Canyon’s natural beauty, aren’t allowed. For two, mules are extremely surefooted, strong, and hardy, making them well-suited for this type of hard work. While they can be stubborn, they also learn quickly and rarely forget.
One of the last stops before reaching the canyon bottom is Peach Springs, AZ, whose claim to fame is the only post office in the country with a walk-in freezer. This is to keep frozen food as cold as possible before the final leg of the journey. You see, not just mail is delivered. The ranch and Havasupai people depend on the mules to also bring needed supplies, such as medicines and tools and equipment and even small appliances.
Like any postal employees, the mule wranglers and packers get an early start. They begin their day at 2:45 a.m. in order to beat the heat, oppressive for half the year. Inventory is weighed and sorted, the mules are fed and groomed, and then their panniers are packed. As soon as it’s light enough, they start down the trail.
Without these regular deliveries, the Havasupai people would be cut off and unable to get the supplies they need to survive. The Phantom Ranch wouldn’t be able to host tourists. So, these delivery mules aren’t just a cool piece of living history, they’re providing a vital service to a remote community.
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
I’d never heard of this. This was really interesting.
I’ve lived in Arizona almost my entire life and only heard about it thirty years ago. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon and seen the mules. Haven’t ridden down, though.
I’ve also never heard of it. Thanks for this interesting information Cathy.
It’s very cool. And the Havasu Falls at the bottom of of the canyon are an incredible natural wonder.
This is so interesting!
It really is, Rhonda!
That’s really interesting! I didn’t know that
Thanks for stopping by and reading 🙂
I have friends that have taken the mule ride to the bottom – not for the faint of heart!
I’ve walked a couple miles down (not all the way), and it it harrowing.
Thank you for this information. I have never heard of it.
A fascinating little known fact 🙂
I had never heard of these mules delivering mail. Interesting!
It really is interesting 🙂
Welcome today. Wow. This is so cool. I had no idea. I love the Pony Express and here we still sorta have one.
I’m already thinking of story ideas!
Fascinating. I actually did know this.
Amazon should use this in their advertising 🙂
I had heard a little about it but didn’t know about all of it! Thank you so much for sharing this. So fascinating!
I love the old picture 😉
Thank you, Cathy, for this valuable information. My husband and I have visited the Grand Canyon, and looking down below it doesn’t appear to be 3 miles down to the bottom. I wonder how these Havasupai Indians initially built a reservation down there when it is so hard to get into and out of. I enjoy the history of places we have been to so much. Do they ever face flooding down where they are, I wonder?
I was wondering how they built the Phantom Ranch. Did the mules carry down furniture and equipment?
I did not know this. I enjoyed reading the article. It was informative and very interesting to read about .
I enjoyed researching it. Brought back memories of my two trips to the canyon.
Back in the late 60s, my family and I camped at Grand Canyon along with 4 othe families. A number of us kids hiked to the bottom, spent the night and came back out the next day. I remember that there were muke rids down, but I believe that they were for tourists and not for mail. Honestly, what tourist would be ready at 2.30am, right?
You can ride mules to the bottom. I hear it’s difficult. But hiking would be hard, too!
Great piece of living history!
I think it would make into a wonderful story… Maybe the wrangler with the mules, on the way down, finds a lady that was lost, and hurt from a fall….(maybe head trauma, so she can’t remember anything?). He will have to take care of her, during his stay, at the bottom, and then he takes her back to the top, to find out who she is……. I am sure you could do a better job with the story, than I. LOL
Hey, this is a great beginning. I love it!
Wow! I loved learning a bit about this! I visited the north rim of the Grand Canyon a few years ago with my family during our family reunion and had no idea! I can picture the mules going down and then up those trails and delivering the mail and supplies in my minds eye. What a wonderful bit of history, thanks for sharing!
People don’t realize how large the canyon is. I’ve visited the south rim probably a hundred times. Nothing like the north rim.
Wow, what an interesting, little-known part of history! I’ve been to the Grand Canyon twice, & it’s a beautiful place, but I’d never heard about that. Thanks for sharing!
I have a picture of me at 14 petting a mule at the canyon. I should have posted it 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. It is most interesting.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
Ot is always fun to see tiny bits of history being spread. Sometimes the small things make for the best stories.
That is so true, David 🙂
I’ve never heard of these! It makes a lot of sense! I bet they’re a lot more reliable than my mail!!
Could be!!
Wow! That’s amazing. I had no idea. Thanks for telling us about this!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Christy 🙂
The Grand Canyon is such a fantastic place. I’ve always wanted to take the mule ride to the bottom but never had the opportunity. That said, I, too, did not know about this official USPS delivery service until now! I’d like to know more and see more pictures.
I’m sure it would be an amazing, once in a lifetime experience.
I had heard of this mail delivery route. As much as mail volume has increased, especially packages, I would be surprised if the number of mules used for each run hasn’t been increasing over the past few years. I know regular mail routes are over-burdened with packages. Having hiked a bit of a trail in the canyon, I know how hot it can be and how difficult a round trip would be in a day. I’m curious, how or where do the two mule trains pass each other on their way up and down? It should be a wide section and maybe a good rest site. Maybe at Peach Springs, AZ. Thanks for the pictures and details.
I never thought about the going up string of mules having to pass the going down string of mules. That would be a sight!
Hi Cathy, I really reading this, Five hours ti get back up. Poor mules.I pray is not to hard on them..
Hi Annie . They are really sturdy animals and quite strong. They do much better at this than horses 🙂
Great post, Cathy. I’ve hiked into Havasupai and saw the mail mules. Ten of my family members hiked down at Christmas several years ago and spent a couple of nights at the little motel they have down there. It was a great experience. Very eye opening.
That is such a cool story, Jeanie. Once in a lifetime experience 😉