Utah
 

We are traveling to Utah and driving Hwy 12. Do we bypass the Escalante to Boulder route to investigate Devils Backbone route? Which one is more adventurous? We can only do one! Thanks for any input and has anyone done this???

Route 12 is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. It's on everybody's list of the most beautiful drives in Utah. We took it two years ago and we will do it again in late June.

Since Route 12 is paved and Devil's Backbone isn't, my guess is that Devil's Backbone is more adventurous.

Thank you!

Just did HWY 12 last week. Awesome!!

spiro,
Where's your report and photos?

I'm going to Yosemite the middle of next week with my daughter and granddaughter.

How do you guys get away to these parks so much? :)

wrongfoot,

Vacations were always important to us and we made a point to get away for as much as possible when our boys were young and school was out. Our main destinations were always the national parks. Our destinations haven't changed over the years but DH is retired now so we have a lot more time to visit! ;)

Utahtea

wrongfoot,

Our kids are grown and have families of their own.

I discovered national parks about four years ago and have been playing catchup. My wife has no interest so I've gone alone, with a friend and with my daughter.

I go on different trips with my wife.

Stinkerbell,

The road to Devil's Backbone is quite a long drive on a sometimes steep, graded gravel road. Very little traffic. HUGE payoff at the top where you cross the Devil's Backbone on a small, one lane, wooden bridge. You need to stop here and look down. I really can't describe it and I've done it twice. I have never been to place more aptly named!

However, when you do this drive, you do miss the best part of Hwy 12. You start around Escalante and come out just before Boulder (if going north), rejoining Hwy 12 at that point. If visitors have the time, it would be ideal to do both. Both should be on everyone's bucket list.

I think you get more and better scenery per mile and per hour driving Hwy 12.

The Devil's Backbone road is most impressive at the site itself as I mentioned. The rest is mostly through forest on the way up and more rock views on the way down. It's also a pretty slow and bumpy ride.

Hope this helps!