Drive for Color

Fall colors are popping all around northern Utah right now.

On a trip from Huntington to Fairview the other day, I drove enraptured because of the beautiful scenery. It is always pretty up there along Skyline Drive, where the aspen and pine forest gives way to high mountain meadows and clear, bluewater lakes, but the scenery is stunning right now. Aspen trees are aglow with a golden sheen, birch leaves are blazing orange-brown and oaks have ignited in shades of red.

Hwy 31 from Fairview to Huntington is part of the Energy Loop: Huntington & Eccles Canyons National Scenic Byways. It is an excellent route to view fall foliage.

Our other scenic byways are also good choices for fall drives. It looks like fall colors will peak in the northern Utah high country during the first week of October. The routes listed below will all provide great scenery:

Logan Canyon: Hwy 89 snakes north and east from Logan, following the Logan River and its wide assortment of foliage. The colors are vivid and varied - this is one of America's great fall drives.

Ogden River: Hwy 39 follows the Ogden River east past Pineview Reservoir and nearby Eden, and then along the river's South Fork. Deer, elk, moose and other animals are commonly seen along this drive - a bonus to the intense colors.

Alpine Loop: Hwy 92 loops around the east side of Mt Timpanogos, past Sundance Resort, through a beautiful forest of varied colors.

Provo Canyon: Foliage along Hwy 189 is always beautiful, with the Provo River and Bridal Veil Falls serving as backdrops.

Mirror Lake: Hwy 150 runs from Kamas to Evanston, through lush forests, over High Uinta Mountains, and past several small lakes. It is beautiful country year-round, and very scenic during the fall.

Nebo Loop: The Loop Road climbs over the east side of Mt Nebo, reaching elevations over 8,000 feet, through a beautiful forest full of color. The Payson Lakes and Devil's Kitchen areas provide interesting contrasts.

Flaming Gorge-Uintas: Hwy 191 skirts the edge of the Uinta Mountains and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, providing enthralling views in every direction. The forest here is ablaze with color.

When colors begin to fade in the north, southern Utah foliage will be coming on strong. Byways in southern Utah put on fall attire during mid and later October.

Our fall colors tour provides more info on these and other great drives.

This is a great time for a road trip along Utah's scenic byways.

Let us help you plan a Utah vacation.

- Dave Webb

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