It’s a rite of autumn to take our Jeep out for one final run down Duchesne Ridge towards Wolf Creek Pass. The top-of-the-world ridgeline views of glowing yellow aspen on the flanks and cliffs reaching downward to the West Fork of the Duchesne River are breathtaking.Not this year.The colorful drive we featured last October on Duchesne Ridge is now ablaze — not with color, but with fire. Flames have even reached points on the West Fork of the Duchesne we showcased just three months ago. With the Yellow Lake Fire growing daily, it was time for plan B.Looking to the south from Duchesne Ridge across the broad river valley is Currant Ridge, a west-to-east ridge run that ultimately drops to the south to the Currant Creek Reservoir. It is one of the most remote trails in the Uinta National Forest that you can easily reach by Jeep. Driving up from Heber City, we broke out of the aspens on Lake Creek Drive into the meadows below Heber Mountain. The towering smoke cloud came into view on the eastern horizon. It would become our guidepost for the afternoon. Turning east onto Currant Ridge Road, the ride became a bit rougher. To the south, across a broad valley down to the reservoir, the yellow-glowing aspens were shedding their last leaves of the season. To the north and east, spotting fires along Duchesne Ridge and up in Soapstone Basin filled the sky with smoke in the distance.Looking for high vantage points, we drove up a siding to a high plateau above Scotty Basin, where an 8-foot-tall cairn stood like a monument on the hill, each rock placed meticulously. From there, we wove our way down some deep washouts to Low Pass Creek, a drainage that is the centerpiece of regional tales. The Currant Creek area is rich in mining history and lore. Legend has it that in the 1800s, Spanish explorers found gold in the area, enslaving native Utes to mine. Jim Woolsey was a noted prospector of the 19th century, in cahoots with a Salt Lake City dentist friend. Legend isn’t sure what happened to his brilliant find. But snoop around, and you might just find remnants of his long-lost mine.Just past Low Pass, you have an option to drive down to the reservoir. We chose to continue heading east. Stemming out to the north, the Vat Creek Ridge offered a panoramic view of the West Fork of the Duchesne down below, the last glow of gold hanging onto the aspens.Back to the main road, we headed up the flanks of Red Creek Mountain. The smoke cloud was now just six miles away, with explosive flames showing through the haze as the fire made its way downhill along S.R. 35.The views, the last gasps of color, the blue sky, and new discoveries made it a great autumn outing in the Rubicon. At the same time, it was hard not to be distracted by the ravages of the wildfire. If you head out this week for that last glimpse of color on the mountainside, keep those in harm’s way in your thoughts.DETAILSGetting There: Take Center Street in Heber City to the east, climbing up towards Heber Mountain on Lake Creek Drive. Head south on FR083 to FR080, Currant Ridge Road. Continue east to Red Creek Mountain. As an option, you can drop south to Currant Creek Reservoir and loop back, or even exit via U.S. 40 near Strawberry Reservoir. We just did an out-and-back, which was spectacular and takes less time.The Trail: Currant Ridge Road is not difficult, but it’s also not for the family Subaru. High clearance and good tire placement are vital, especially around Low Pass.Fire Danger: Get current fire information before heading out. This area is currently out of fire range, but know before you go. GaiaGPS is a good planning tool with a current wildfire information layer.Advance Research: Read about Spanish gold mines and the legend of Jim Woolsley.The post Sunday Drive: Last glimpse of autumn on Currant Ridge appeared first on Park Record.