Hell's Backbone Road(edit)

Hell's Backbone is a very scenic drive between Escalante and Boulder that takes you up into the cool pine trees of the Dixie National Forest. It is a good choice to escape the heat of the lower elevations and soak in some of the local history. Hell's Backbone was the first automobile road between Escalante and Boulder, and it was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) over the summer of 1933. The road was closed by snows in the winter and it wasn't until 1940 that an all-season road was built along the lower canyons to connect the two towns. As described here, the road starts at its intersection with Pine Creek Road north of Escalante, but it can be driven in either direction. Start out at the intersection of Route 12 and Posey Lake Road (also called N 300 E). Head north out of town and turn right onto Pine Creek Lane. Pine Creek Lane and Posey Lake Road then turn north again, passing several ranches on both sides of the road. The road turns to well-graded gravel and enters the Dixie National forest as it climbs in elevation into lush pine forests. In a short while the road intersects with Hell's Backbone Road to the right (east). The road is well-graded and smooth the entire way. Be sure to watch for oncoming traffic in the switchbacks. There are several good views of the upper Box Canyon and the Box Death Hollow area. The most interesting feature of the road is the Hell's Backbone Bridge. A concrete span now crosses where the original CCC-built wooden bridge once stood. Stop here for the best views of the Box Death Hollow area. Be sure to read the sign about the CCC felling two pine trees to cross the backbone's gap and a brave, if not foolhardy, man, Lorell "Sixty" McInelly, drove a dozer across the gap using only the two pine trees as a bridge. After the bridge, the road continues along the ridge top and eventually drops in elevation again. Once you emerge from the pine forests, the terrain changes to open up into ranch land and the road surface becomes smoother and better maintained. End at the intersection with Route 12 again, about one mile south of Boulder. Directions to the Trailhead From Escalante, take North 300 East Road north and it soon turns into Posey Lake Road. Turn right at the "T" intersection and the road becomes Pine Creek Road. Take this road north to find the trailhead at a main intersection on the right. Meeting Place Meet at the Phillips 66 next to Nemo's at 40 East Main Street in Escalante.