Alpine Loop

Last week, when I had two days off, all I wanted to do was read and nap.  Now, when I have sophomore essays and Beowulf tests to grade, all I want to do is go to the mountains!  In this particular tug-of-war, the mountains won so yesterday I drove out of the city to American Fork Canyon for one of my very favorite fall drives.  I think it was a good decision!

This lovely drive along the Alpine Loop was just what I needed to recharge my batteries.  The sky was a perfect cerulean blue, the temperature was brisk, and the smell of decomposing leaves was nearly intoxicating.  Much of the foliage was gone but there was just enough to make me happy as I drove the switchbacks with the windows down listening to Eddie Vedder.  Is there anything better?  I love being in the mountains and I love living in Utah, where I can be in any number of mountains in less than 30 minutes whenever I have a bad day!  I need to do this more often!  Essays can wait a few days.

Fall Fun For The Locals

I just love the fall!  The leaves are beautiful, the air is crisp, the fall flavors are delicious, and there are so many fun activities this time of year.  Here are some of my recommendations if you live in the SLC area.

Witch Fest at Gardner Village

Gardner Village has a wonderful display of witches from September 12 through October 31 but there are also some really fun events such as Breakfast with a Witch, Witchapalooza Dinner Theatre, and the ever popular Witches Night Out.  Go here for more details.

Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point

Cornbelly's is an amazing fall festival at Thanksgiving Point with lots of fun activities for the kids, including games, rides, face painting, a spook alley, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and a hay ride.  It runs from October 3 through November 1.  Go here for more information.

 Pumpkin Days & Festival of Scarecrows at Wheeler Farm

Wheeler Historic Farm has a really fun fall festival called Pumpkin Days which runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 31.  There is a hay maze, a pumpkin patch, and a hay ride.  You can also make a scarecrow (Tashena named hers Toby) for fun prizes.  The scarecrows will be on display throughout Pumpkin Days.  Go here and here for more information.

Schmidt's Pumpkin Patch

There are a lot of pumpkin patches out there but Marilyn and I always take the kiddos to Schmidt's.  It is located in West Jordan at 9000 S. and 3400 W.  Try not to wait until the last Saturday before Halloween (like we did last year) because it is kill or be killed gets really crowded.  Schmidt's also has a really great Farmer's Market.

Crazy Corn Maze

Again, there are a lot of corn mazes out there but I really like the Crazy Corn Maze.  I usually go through it every year with or without Sean and Tashena.  My friend Tony and I once got so lost inside we paid an attendant $5.00 to get us out!  Last year Marilyn and I followed Sean and he had us out in about twenty minutes!  Go here for more information.

Frightmares at Lagoon

Lagoon, our local amusement park, is a great place to go in the fall for Frightmares!  The park is decorated for Halloween and there are a lot of fun activities, spook alleys, hay mazes, and Halloween-themed entertainment.  Lagoon-A-Beach isn't open but all of the other rides operate and I think Lagoon is a lot more fun when the temperatures are a little bit cooler!  Marilyn and I take Sean and Tashena every year and we shut the park down!  Frightmares is open from September 19 to October 30.  Go here for more information.

Note:  Obviously there are a lot of haunted houses in the SLC area.  I had a really bad experience at one when I was in high school so I don't like to go to them!  If Tashena wants to go to one, Marilyn will have to take her!

Five Fall Drives Near SLC

I absolutely love fall and the leaves are starting to turn in my neck of the woods.  Here are my suggestions for taking a fall foliage drive if you live near SLC.

Little Cottonwood Canyon

To get to Little Cottonwood Canyon, take I-215 to the 6200 S. exit and follow the signs to Snowbird/Alta.  The foliage is beautiful but there are not very many opportunities to stop and take pictures so I recommend taking a hike to Red Pine Lake.

The hike is a bit strenuous (at least it was for me) so I also suggest stopping off at Snowbird for Oktoberfest while you are there!

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood also offers some beautiful vistas for foliage viewing.  Take the 6200 S. exit on I-215 and follow the signs to Brighton/Solitude.  There are lots of opportunities for hiking around the Brighton Ski Resort.  My favorite place to hike is Silver Lake.

Alpine Loop

The Alpine Loop is a 24 mile drive between American Fork Canyon and Provo Canyon and it is my favorite fall drive.  Take exit 284 from I-15 and follow SR 92 east into the mouth of American Fork Canyon.  There is a $6.00 fee to enter.  Follow the road all the way to the Sundance Ski Resort and through Provo Canyon.  As you climb in elevation you will see beautiful golden stands of aspens (which I love).

While you are in American Fork Canyon you can visit Cascade Springs which is beautiful in the fall.

Nebo Loop

The Nebo Loop is a  32 mile byway between the cities of Payson and Nephi (an hour away from SLC but definitely worth the drive).  Take I-15 south to exit 248 and head east on 800 S.  Turn right on 600 E which eventually becomes the Nebo Loop Road into the mountains.  The views are spectacular and there are many pullouts along the byway.

Mill Creek Canyon

Mill Creek Canyon is one of my favorite places any time of year but in the fall it is glorious!  Take I-215 to Wasatch Blvd. and turn on to Mill Creek Canyon Road.  There are lots of popular hikes for viewing the leaves but I really enjoy having bonfires at one of the many campsites.  There is a $3.00 fee per vehicle as you leave the canyon.

Definitely make plans to enjoy the beautiful leaves!  I went on my first drive of the season to the Alpine Loop yesterday and it was so relaxing.  I have so many memories of fall drives on Sunday afternoons with my family growing up!