in the last week
This is a famous, thrilling, and incredibly scenic section of Utah Scenic Byway 12 (UT-12) situated between the towns of Escalante and Boulder. Why is it famous, because this brief but unforgettable 2-to-4-mile stretch sits perched directly on a narrow sandstone ridge, plunging hundreds of feet straight down into canyons on both sides. This two-lane road has no shoulders or guardrails, offering a knife-edge driving experience through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with small pullouts on either side of the road. There is a limited amount of parking spaces, but the scenery is phenomenal, which provides sweeping, 360-degree panoramic views of deeply carved slickrock dunes, the Henry Mountains, and the surrounding desert landscape. This is not for those who are afraid of heights or are intimidated by the lack of guardrails, but it is safely navigated by standard vehicles and motorcycles daily if you maintain a moderate speed and keep your eyes on the road. The views are so worth your time.
