Gravel ride · USFS Dixie NF · UDOT

Hells Backbone Loop

The signature gravel ride. Most visitors don't know about it. Pack two days of water if you're slow.

The signature local gravel ride. North out of Escalante on Forest Road 153, climbing the Aquarius Plateau, descending into Boulder, then closing the loop back to Escalante on the Hogback section of Highway 12.

There is no water on the Backbone itself. Top off in Escalante, top off again in Boulder. The Hogback closing leg has narrow shoulders and tourist traffic; pick a tailwind day if you can.

Official sources

USFS Dixie NF — Hells Backbone Road — U.S. Forest Service
FHWA Byways — Scenic Byway 12 (All-American Road) — Federal Highway Administration

How we verified this: Chase verified this on May 12, 2026 from official source, Distance and elevation gain compiled from public Ride With GPS routes as popularity signals; official miles from USFS and FHWA byway records.. The owner has not paid for this listing — nothing here is sponsored.

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¶Official sources

Official sources