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Hell's Backbone Road is a completely different experience from the
other roads mentioned here. This isn't a desert road, but instead
takes off into the high country of the Aquarius Plateau. The road
was built during the Great Depression Era of the 1930's by the
Civilian Conservation Corps as an alternative route between
Escalante and Boulder. From Escalante, the road climbs along the
Pine Creek Drainage skirting around the heads of The Box and Death
Hollow and reaching an elevation of over 9,000 feet above sea
level. The road climaxes at the Hell's Backbone Bridge which spans
a deep chasm where the heads of Death Hollow and Sand Creek cut
deeply into the Navajo Sandstone. From the bridge, the road
descends into picturesque farming community of Salt Gulch and
intersects Highway 12 about four miles west of Boulder.
Trail Heads - Hell's Backbone Road provides access to
several popular trail heads. The Lower Box and Upper Box access
points and trail heads are located on the road and are well
signed, as is the Death Hollow Trail Head two miles west of the
bridge. There is one of our favorite campgrounds at Blue Spruce
just past (east) the Upper Box Trail Head. Sweet. |
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Because of the high elevation of Hell's Backbone Road, it can be
closed for a good portion of the year due to snow. During the warmer months there is no better way to beat the desert
heat than venturing up into the high country. Hell's Backbone Road
is a well maintained gravel forest service road and is passable by
low clearance vehicles, weather permitting.
About 15 miles from Escalante, Forest Road 154 takes off to the
north and provides access to Posey Lake and its beautiful setting,
campground, and day use area. Continue north along Forest Road 154
to the crest of the Aquarius Plateau above 10,000 feet in
elevation and wonderful meadows, lakes, and lots of wildlife. You
can continue along FR 154 all the way to Highway 24 in Bicknell. |