I'm looking for places to photograph,roads to drive (4Runner-4WD),with autumn color scenics high on the list of subject matter within a ~2 hour drive of Park City, UT between Sept 21 to 28. We'll be staying in the center of the town but the primary reason for being there is photography while using up a time-share that was about to expire on us. Any good back country roads with oak and aspen colors nearby? Wildlife possibilities? Good hiking opportunities?
There should be a good mix of maples and aspen in the Park City area. Additionally I would reccomend doing the Alpine loop around Timpanogos. The stretch from Sundance to American Fork Canyon is pretty amazing. Probably some of the best dense aspen stands in northern Utah. Mill Creek Canyon would make for a good hike as well. Enjoy!
You should drive the Alpine Loop for sure! A lot of aspens and great mountain views with all colors! Great opportunity for photography. Andy gave you dirrections how to get there. If you want to do a whole day hike, hike Mt. Timpanogos. This is a Utah's classic hike, the most spectacular and not too difficult. I would recommend that. If you want something for half a day, hike Lake Blanche in Big Cotonowood canyon. It's very pretty in fall with aspens and maples. You will get to see the Sundial Peak (right above the lake) which is good to photograph. That is one of the nicest hikes here in Wasatch Mountains.
I know almost all the mountains here in Notrthern Utah and have been on most peaks. I can give you more good tips. Just let me know what type of hikes (as far as length and difficulties) you are looking for.
Park City will be lovely in September! I think and hope that you will be satisfied with your trip. Let's hope for nice, long and colorful autumn this year. And many great photographs, of course!
Posted by George Hager on August 7, 2007 at 4:24 PM
The Alpine Loop is a great drive, but I would definitely stay away from it on the weekends unless you really, really, REALLY like traffic.
Alpine Loop, American Fork Canyon, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons - all are beautiful. And if you drive the Alpine Loop, be sure to check out the Cascade Springs area. Here's a shot from above Cascade Springs from my fall trip in '05, taken at about the same time you'll be there. I was there in the middle of the week and practically had the place to myself, despite having some really nice colors. Here's a link to some pics from that area that will give you a better idea of what colors should be like about that time.
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 7, 2007 at 7:56 PM
I'm not sure about roads, but I did an amazing hike in Little Cottonwood a few falls ago. It's a loop hike in the basin above Butler Creek. It's a clover-leaf-shaped basin and after gaining some height, the trail basically stays level around the clover leaf, constantly surprising you with new vistas as you turn each curve in the curvy trail. There are aspens pretty much the entire way. And the nice thing about Utah aspen hikes such as this is that you get lots of vistas while you're in the aspens, since the mountains are more rugged at the elevations that the aspen grow (as opposed to Colorado where the aspens grow more on the gentle slopes below the steep mountains). Anyhow... it's kind of a long hike but really nice the whole way.
I was in Utah during the Winter Olympics a few years ago and picked up a document, about the size of a magazine, that was all about beautiful drives in Utah. It's titled "Utah Scenic Byways and Backways," by the Utah Scenic Byway Committee. Some of these drives were OK for a std vehicle, while others were for 4WD and mindful of the weather. There's no real information in the document on where/how to order it. But, if you google "utah scenic drives," you'll get a lot of potential ideas, and this site seems to have very similar information: http://www.utah.com/byways/
And, I'll be out there about a week after you, so I also appreciate these responses...
Sounds like you got some great suggestions already. You may also want to drive up the Mirror Lake Highway from Kamas (just a couple of miles east of Park City) up to the High Uintas. There's some aspen in the low elevations but the real attraction are the multitude of beautiful alpine lakes.
Discussion
9 repliesAndy
You should drive the Alpine Loop for sure! A lot of aspens and great mountain views with all colors! Great opportunity for photography. Andy gave you dirrections how to get there. If you want to do a whole day hike, hike Mt. Timpanogos. This is a Utah's classic hike, the most spectacular and not too difficult. I would recommend that. If you want something for half a day, hike Lake Blanche in Big Cotonowood canyon. It's very pretty in fall with aspens and maples. You will get to see the Sundial Peak (right above the lake) which is good to photograph. That is one of the nicest hikes here in Wasatch Mountains.
I know almost all the mountains here in Notrthern Utah and have been on most peaks. I can give you more good tips. Just let me know what type of hikes (as far as length and difficulties) you are looking for.
Park City will be lovely in September! I think and hope that you will be satisfied with your trip. Let's hope for nice, long and colorful autumn this year.
And, I'll be out there about a week after you, so I also appreciate these responses...
Good luck,
Tim!
Guy
Guy