Trail Overview
E23 is a highly demanding, breathtakingly scenic 7.3-mile backcountry route that guarantees an intense off-road adventure right from the starting line. Sharing its initial entrance with the Dry Mesa trail, the journey immediately plunges vehicles into a flowing water crossing measuring up to 14 inches deep at the time of mapping, closely flanked by a fenced private property line on the left-hand side. After splashing through multiple early water crossings and navigating a distinctly rugged entry corridor, drivers will reach a clearly signed split around the 0.5-mile mark; you must turn left here to officially separate from Dry Mesa. From this junction, the trail aggressively attacks the mountain, climbing steeply up a series of highly exposed, white-knuckle switchbacks. This intense segment features narrow, cliffside shelf-road driving that deeply rewards brave explorers with spectacular, sweeping panoramic views looking straight down over the vast valley and winding river below. Once the brutal initial elevation is finally conquered, the trail's personality gracefully shifts. The difficulty decreases noticeably as the route transitions into a wonderfully remote, expansive high-desert transit offering incredible canyon views. The journey ultimately concludes at a sturdy BLM boundary gate. For travelers wishing to enjoy the upper plateau without tackling the treacherous mountain climb, a much easier lower access option is available directly from Escalante.
Difficulty
E23 earns a formidable Level 3 technical rating, a score dictated almost entirely by its violently rugged opening climb. This trail is absolutely not trailer-friendly. Throughout the early ascent, drivers must aggressively battle severely eroded ruts reaching up to 18 inches deep, interwoven with loose, shifting rocks ranging from 5 to 10 inches tall. A true high-clearance 4x4 vehicle with low-range gearing is strictly required to cleanly negotiate these punishing obstacles without sustaining undercarriage damage. Furthermore, the steep, intensely exposed cliffside shelf-road sections leave absolutely zero margin for error. Due to the slick surface makeup and extreme, unprotected drop-offs, this mountain climb is considered highly unsafe and fundamentally impassable in wet or muddy conditions. While the upper miles eventually mellow out with obstacles generally remaining under 8 inches, the gateway climb demands advanced driving capability and complete confidence in your rig.
