Hell’s Backbone Loop

Earlier this week we traveled to Escalante, Utah.  When we left Lake Powell the temperature was about 82 degrees, half way to Escalante the temperature dropped and we were engulfed in a snow storm!  36 degrees with snow thunder.  RVs were pulled off the road and there was about 3” of ice and slush.  We also pulled off the road, but decided to drive out of the mess.  Within 10 minutes we were back in sun and by the time we got to Escalante the temps were back at 80 degrees! See short video below, Snow!

Crazy Snow video! Click Here!

Hell’s Backbone Loop

Yesterday we were back in 4WD on the Hell’s Backbone Loop that started in the adorable town of Escalante, then loops through the mountains to a one lane bridge. 

SOME EVOCATIVE NAMES SWIRL AROUND this scenic road in southern Utah. The men who built it called it “The Poison Road”; its craggy terrain is known as desert slickrock; it is surrounded by the Box-Death Hollow wilderness area.

There are two roads between the towns of Boulder and Escalante, Utah. One, a lovely route over Scenic Byway 12, the other Hell’s Backbone, a rugged 36 mile dirt road with sheer drop offs. Both roads were built in the early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (the CCC), the construction and public works arm of the Works Projects Administration (the WPA). Before 1933 there were no automobile routes to Boulder or between the two towns, there were only wagon routes and mule trails. Given the sheer drop along some stretches, it was the CCC crews who dubbed it the Poison Road – one false step, and down you go. 

We found the Hell’s Backbone to be fascinating.  Our only regret, we forgot to fly the drone!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy our video!