It was a gloomy, overcast morning on Park City’s historic Main Street as we headed out of town, driving up Marsac Avenue towards Empire Pass. I was trying to reconcile my Carrot weather app, which showed blue skies and sunny. That was hardly what we were experiencing. But we had hope.Driving past the Ontario Mine, I caught a tiny glimpse of blue sky. Our hopes were elevated. Entering the switchback above Montage Deer Valley, the heavens opened up to a gorgeous fall-winter day, the last of yellow leaves barely hanging on to the aspens while the evergreens were still bedecked in recent snowfall.Welcome to autumn in the mountains. It was a day when you were either happy to hang onto the last gasp of fall or delighted to see snowfall foreshadowing the winter ahead.We live in a remarkable four-season environment here in Park City!Changing weather patterns can make for spectacular Sunday drives. The fall and rise of temperatures, humidity in the air, the rolling hills, and alpine peaks combine to create microclimates that generate cloud banks and puffy cloudlettes — perfect to punctuate your photographs of royal blue sky.Driving up above Stein Eriksen Lodge, we plunged into the depths of fog inside the cloud. But it was just a matter of time before we broke through, with blue sky rolling the the time we reached Empire Lodge. Suddenly, the views of Lady Morgan Bowl and the Daly Chutes traverse covered in snow got me mentally counting the days until Deer Valley would be spinning lifts. In the distance, you could hear the whirring rotor blades of the giant Chinook helicopter hauling lift towers into place for the new terrain to the east.In the saddle of Empire Pass, we paused to look back towards town. As far as the eye could see, Park City was shrouded in low-hanging clouds. We were perched above, looking down on what appeared to be a big, white down comforter placed over our town.The parking lot at the Bonanza Flat Trailhead was bustling as visitors pointed their camera phones to document the beautiful blanket of white on the mountainside. Further up the road to Guardsman Pass, we snagged a parking spot at the Bloods Lake Trailhead to soak in the scene ourselves. Looking up at the ridgeline from 10,420 up to Clayton Peak, it looked like a great first-day backcountry experience for those itching to make a few turns.That’s when we met Danny. He was hitchhiking out of the trailhead, looking for a ride up to the pass. “Throw your skis in the back,” I told him. Danny was the perfect example that the ski bum lifestyle was still very much a thing. Moving from the ski town of Cleveland a year ago, his primary ambition in life at this point was skiing. He clicked in and headed down towards Bloods Lake, searching for that rail he skied last winter.Cresting Guardsman, we peered through the aspens, now devoid of leaves, to the rocky peaks above Brighton and Solitude — one of the most stunning alpine views in Utah. With full-on sunshine and crisp temperatures, it was a perfect afternoon for a hike around the mile-long loop at Silver Lake, nestled between Brighton and Solitude. Watch for moose.A few minutes later, we were sitting on the back deck of Silver Fork Lodge, enjoying chicken tortilla soup and a beer, reflecting on what had been a memorable Sunday Drive – all in the shadow of our hometown. And, taken to heart the signs that ski season was just a few weeks away.DETAILSThe Route: A simple close-to-home Sunday Drive, heading up S.R. 224 to Empire Pass, up and over Guardsman Pass, twisting down into Big Cottonwood Canyon. From there, you can explore Big Cottonwood and return via Salt Lake City or double back up to Guardsman Pass and to return back home. Note that fees apply at the Silver Lake trailhead.How to Dress: This time of year, it’s vital to look at detailed weather to get temperatures and precipitation in the mountains. Good footwear is key as early snow turns to hardpack and ice, then mud.Dining: Silver Fork Lodge is a wonderful old ski lodge with a full menu, or pick up snacks at the Brighton Store.The post Sunday Driver: On top of the clouds appeared first on Park Record.