Trail Overview

Hell's Backbone is a rugged area that bridges between towering Boulder Mountain on the north and canyons cut by the Escalante River and its tributaries on the south. The Hell's Backbone Road is a winding route that follows ridges and mountain contours through the area. The road forks from All American Highway 12 near the town of Boulder. From there, it runs west, climbing halfway up Boulder Mountain to connect with the Posey Lake/Pine Creek Road. That road comes north of out the town of Escalante, allowing travelers to complete a 38-mile loop back down to Hwy 12. Hell's Backbone Road is gravel, graded occasionally, and easy for 2wd vehicles during dry weather. It is steep in spots and it can be dangerous during stormy weather. The Hell's Backbone Road is one of the most scenic backways in Utah. In one area, it follows a narrow hog's back with sheer drops to both the right and the left.

Photos of Hells Backbone - NF153

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Difficulty

easy gravel road

Technical Rating

Todd

Mar 01, 2026

Open

Approached from Escalante not Boulder. Not sure we would have been able to make it if we traveled from boulder. Snow and mud in places. Driven with stock 4runner SR5.

Julie Trollip

Jan 19, 2026

Open

Ice on road near Roger's peak. We turned back.

Wade Gaylord

Nov 19, 2025

Open

We headed up from Boulder towards the bridge. The conditions at the bottom were good. The road was in good condition with some areas being slightly soft due to the recent rain. As we gained elevation and got into the snow visibility of the hard packed surface diminished. The snow was approximately 4” deep most of the way. We made it to the bridge in approximately one hour. The snow on the bridge was 8”-10” deep. I was able to turn around and return back down the same path. I did air down to 20 psi and drove up in 4H and returned in 4L.

Brian H

Oct 30, 2025

Open

Took it all the way around to Escalante. Probably could have went quicker but there are some serious washboard ruts around the corners which slows you down. Didn’t see one other person in the road and the views were fantastic! Highly recommend going all the way around from Boulder to Escalante.

Amberli Warner

Oct 20, 2025

Open

We didn’t drive the full road, but it was open and well maintained

Clark C.

Sep 14, 2025

Open

No challenges on this day, any vehicle would be able to make the drive the road was mostly smooth and flat with a little bit of washboard.

Kim Peterson

Dec 22, 2024

Open

Alex Mongold

Oct 13, 2024

Open

Left from Escalante to Boulder, stopped at Upper Pine Creek. Road was in decent shape. Easily passable in a decent car. Definitely dusty and a few bad washboard areas

Jay Lund

Jul 17, 2024

Open

Currently Hells Backbone is in fantastic condition. Very little washboarded areas….appears to have been recently graded(?)

Brian Solomon

May 28, 2023

Open

Erik Menches

May 17, 2023

Open

Eric Evans

May 17, 2023

Open