Utah vacation, Day 4, Hell's Backbone

Hells Backbone Road

We got back to Escalante around dinner time.  Since there was still a couple hours of sunlight left, we decided to go on a back road that the Canadian couple at Slot Canyons Inn told us about - Hell's Backbone Road.  

You begin going north out of Escalante on Pine Creek Road.  It is a dirt road (a little washboardy but not as bad as Hole-in-the-Rock Road that we took to the slot canyons) that goes up through the Dixie National Forest. 

On the way we passed Turn-About Ranch, a place for troubled kids that our B&B hostess helps with.

 We saw several deer.

 We were at around 9,300 ft. elevation

I would not walk out to the middle of the bridge to take this photo.  I made Al do it.  And this photo does not do justice as to the sheer drop to the bottom of the canyon.  Too bad we don't have 3-D film.

We made it to scenic by-way Hwy 12 and began our trip back to the B&B.  There are lots of places to turn off to just take in the scenery.  Breathtaking and exhilarating!

This road is at the top of the rim and no guardrails to keep you from sliding off the mountain.  Panic!

What a beautiful (if not a little terrifying) drive back to our place.  And a gorgeous Utah sunset to go with it!