---
title: "Colorado Plateau EV Trip Pack — EV Backroads"
description: "Use eight routes across the Colorado Plateau. Start on graded canyon roads. Add sand, remote overlooks, and technical ledges in separate stages."
canonical_url: "https://www.evbackroads.com/adventures/alstrom-point-desert-overlook"
last_updated: "2026-08-09"
---

![Alstrom Point in Utah](/media/photos-ai/19-alstrom-point.webp?v=20260808)

![Colorado Plateau route collection](/media/map/adventure-regions/plateau.svg)

ADVENTURE ROUTE COLLECTION · UTAH + ARIZONA

# Colorado Plateau: Desert Overlook Progression

Use eight routes across the Colorado Plateau. Start on graded canyon roads. Add sand, remote overlooks, and technical ledges in separate stages.

QUICK READ

Route stages

8

Plan length

7–10 days

High point

7,077 ft

Typical season

Check each route

Base area

37.0939, -111.3895

Save trip pack offline Print trip plan Mark plan ready PLATEAU COLLECTION 8 stages, in order
- [01 Cottonwood Canyon Road easy](#stage-1)
- [02 Alstrom Point moderate](#stage-2)
- [03 Smoky Mountain Road moderate](#stage-3)
- [04 Croton Road moderate](#stage-4)
- [05 Left Hand Collet Road difficult](#stage-5)
- [06 Hole in the Rock Road moderate](#stage-6)
- [07 Toroweap difficult](#stage-7)
- [08 Hole in the Rock Trail expert](#stage-8)

WHY IT FITS

## Why this progression can fit your trip.

The collection has several routes near Lake Powell and Grand Staircase. It then adds two remote destination drives and one expert expedition route.

WHAT CAN CHANGE THE ANSWER

Heat, flash floods, sand, permits, and wash damage can change the plan. These routes cover a large region. Do not treat them as one continuous trail.

ROUTE PROGRESSION

## Add one skill at a time.

Drive only the stages that fit your vehicle, experience, weather, and current access. A later stage is not a required finish.

01 easy

### Cottonwood Canyon Road

Route distance

38.7 mi

Allow

Half day

Start on the graded canyon road when it is dry. Use it to test desert heat, dust, and tire settings.

SKILL ADDED

Build a desert-road baseline before remote routes.

Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.31157&lng=-111.88488&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/8704-cottonwood-canyon-road)

![Topographic route map for Cottonwood Canyon Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/cottonwood-canyon-road-grand-staircase.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Cottonwood Canyon Road, from start to finish

Climb

+1,249 ft

Descent

−2,266 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

![Alstrom Point in Utah](/media/photos-ai/19-alstrom-point.webp?v=20260808)

ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 02 moderate

### Alstrom Point

Route distance

6.9 mi

Allow

Half day

Learn desert sand and route choice on a short approach. Park before the final rock if the vehicle does not fit.

SKILL ADDED

Add sand judgment and a firm return-energy limit.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.09391&lng=-111.38949&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/3434-alstrom-point)

![Topographic route map for Alstrom Point](/media/maps/19-alstrom-point.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Alstrom Point, from start to finish

Climb

+429 ft

Descent

−149 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

03 moderate

### Smoky Mountain Road

Route distance

76.6 mi

Allow

Full day

Add a long plateau crossing with steep grades and few services. Confirm the full exit before you start.

SKILL ADDED

Add distance, elevation, and a point-to-point energy plan.

Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.40469&lng=-111.52338&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/4784-smoky-mountain-road)

![Topographic route map for Smoky Mountain Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/smoky-mountain-road.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Smoky Mountain Road, from start to finish

Climb

+4,338 ft

Descent

−2,511 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

04 moderate

### Croton Road

Route distance

47.3 mi

Allow

Half day

Use this remote road to practice route finding and wash inspection. Do not enter when rain can reach the drainage.

SKILL ADDED

Add navigation and wash judgment.

Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.21988&lng=-111.32447&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/3436-croton-road)

![Topographic route map for Croton Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/croton-road.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Croton Road, from start to finish

Climb

+3,476 ft

Descent

−1,021 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

05 difficult

### Left Hand Collet Road

Route distance

10.5 mi

Allow

Full day

Add a rougher backcountry road with sand and wash crossings. Keep a strict time and energy checkpoint.

SKILL ADDED

Add rough ground and a longer self-recovery commitment.

Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.51012&lng=-111.46243&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/3437-left-hand-collet-road)

![Topographic route map for Left Hand Collet Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/left-hand-collet-road.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Left Hand Collet Road, from start to finish

Climb

+9 ft

Descent

−1,283 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

06 moderate

### Hole in the Rock Road

Route distance

56.3 mi

Allow

Full day or overnight

Use the long historic road to test range, tires, and communication before the technical trail with the similar name.

SKILL ADDED

Add expedition distance on a defined road.

Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.33692&lng=-111.07344&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/scout-routes/2307-hole-in-the-rock-road)

![Topographic route map for Hole in the Rock Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/hole-in-the-rock-road.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Hole in the Rock Road, from start to finish

Climb

+880 ft

Descent

−2,318 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

![Toroweap in Arizona](/media/photos-ai/07-toroweap.webp?v=20260808)

ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 07 difficult

### Toroweap

Route distance

13.8 mi

Allow

Full day

Add permit rules, long isolation, and a high-clearance approach to the Grand Canyon rim.

SKILL ADDED

Add remote travel and self-sufficiency without the final expedition ledges.

Access note: Advance Tuweep day-use or backcountry permit, park pass, photo ID, and highway plate are required. Roads are remote, unmaintained, and high-clearance only.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=36.30172&lng=-113.06117&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/arizona/trails/2990-toroweap)[Check current access](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/tuweep.htm)

![Topographic route map for Toroweap](/media/maps/07-toroweap.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Toroweap, from start to finish

Climb

+217 ft

Descent

−770 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

![Hole in the Rock Trail in Utah](/media/photos-ai/08-hole-in-the-rock-trail.webp?v=20260808)

ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 08 expert

### Hole in the Rock Trail

Route distance

34.7 mi

Allow

2–3 days

Use this stage only with technical desert experience, a capable vehicle, and a complete recovery and charging plan.

SKILL ADDED

Combine ledges, route finding, long distance, and multi-day isolation.

[Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=37.31816&lng=-110.65239&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/670-hole-in-the-rock-trail)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/utah/hole-in-the-rock)

![Topographic route map for Hole in the Rock Trail](/media/maps/08-hole-in-the-rock-trail.webp)

TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS

TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE

### Hole in the Rock Trail, from start to finish

Climb

+1,652 ft

Descent

−1,943 ft

Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal.

ROUTE READINESS

## Do seven checks before you leave pavement.

01

### surface

Desert dirt, sand, wash crossings, and later rock ledges

02

### clearance

Extra clearance for all stages; technical clearance for the final stage

03

### remoteness

The second and third stages are far from help

04

### charging

Verify both the approach and the return before each remote route

05

### cell Coverage

Carry every route and permit offline

06

### weather

Avoid extreme heat and any flash-flood risk

07

### turnaround

Use written energy, water, tire, and daylight checkpoints

BEFORE YOU GO

## Make these decisions while you have a signal.

- Check permits and current road reports
- Carry more water than the planned day requires
- Plan each route from a verified charger

TURN AROUND WHEN

## Follow the limits that you set.

- Tires dig into sand
- A wash shows fresh water or storm debris
- The route uses the emergency reserve

CARRY

## Prepare for common problems.

- Shovel and traction boards
- Compressor and complete tire repair
- Satellite communicator, water, and shade

![Topographic route plate for Colorado Plateau: Desert Overlook Progression](/media/maps/19-alstrom-point.webp)

FEATURED ROUTE MAP Use the full trail path for orientation. Confirm current access with the land manager.

OPEN THE LIVE MAP

## Check the drive home.

See the route with open chargers and road-distance charging gaps. Planned stations do not change current coverage.

[Build this trip plan](/plan?pack=alstrom-point-desert-overlook)[Open near this trail](/map?lat=37.09391&lng=-111.38949&z=9&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/3434-alstrom-point)[Browse all adventure collections and trip packs](/adventures)[Share what changed after your trip](/guides/trail-commons?kind=trail&sourceAdventure=alstrom-point-desert-overlook)

## Sitemap

See the full [EV Backroads sitemap](/sitemap.md) for every published page.