Back in the day, before guardrails and trailhead parking lots, I spent my favorite autumn mornings navigating a rutted-out Guardsman Pass Road in our Jeep, cautiously pulling over to the edge and setting up a tripod to record the cacophony of color spreading from the flanks of Clayton Peak down to Bonanza Flats. The magic of golden aspens mixed with the deep, rich hues of evergreens — along with rays of early sunshine piercing the gray clouds overhead — created my favorite fall image, which I called Dawn’s Early Light. It’s a special privilege to live along the Wasatch Range. That rings even more true every fall, as weekend leaf peepers head to the hills in search of that rich burst of autumn color. Vermont, you ain’t got nothin’ on Utah! With color season here, here are a few of my favorite Sunday Drives. Pine Canyon Road So close to home, Pine Canyon Road (S.R. 248) from Empire Pass at Deer Valley Resort down to Midway is a classic opening autumn drive. This fall outing gets you excited for the ski season ahead as you pass Montage Deer Valley and drive beneath Ruby Express. As you crest over Empire Pass, you’re first hit by the glowing aspens surrounding Bloods Lake and the road up to Guardsman Pass. But today we’re headed in a different direction. Winding through the Brighton Estates cabins, with sunlight piercing the yellow aspen leaves like stained glass, the road soon sweeps through S-turns amid blazing red gambel oak as the fall color season comes alive. Pine Canyon Road is always one of the first to switch on its autumn color. And its reds are more brilliant than any across the Wasatch. It’s also a popular drive, so watch for traffic and be especially alert to cyclists. Nebo Loop While we are blessed with the likes of Pine Canyon Road, the Alpine Loop and Guardsman Pass, sometimes you just want to get away. That’s where the Nebo Loop comes in! South of Provo, the Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway stretches 35 miles from Payson to Nephi. Start it off with one of the easiest waterfall hikes around at Grotto Falls. It’s just a half-mile each way, crossing Peteetneet Creek on a maze of logs and rocks. The high-alpine drive through the southern Wasatch is breathtaking, climbing to more than 9,000 feet amid sweeping fields of golden aspens on the flanks of Mount Nebo. Bring the binoculars and watch for bighorn sheep. The drive wraps up amid stunning Utah red rock at Devil’s Kitchen, with a must-do hike into a miniature version of Bryce Canyon. Duchesne Ridge If you want to put the off-road tires into play, there’s no finer fall drive than Duchesne Ridge. Access is easy via Mill Hollow Reservoir off S.R. 35 east of Francis in Summit County. While the 2024 Yellow Lake Fire took its toll on the area, its mosaic burn pattern left a quilt-like landscape of surviving vegetation that still bursts with yellow. In particular, stop and absorb the area around Heart Lake and its rock outcroppings to see how Mother Nature is reinventing herself two years after the fire. What has always stood out along Duchesne Ridge are the panoramic views to the south from high on the ridgeline above the West Fork of the Duchesne River. It’s also an easy route, an opportunity to get the 4WD out of the garage without encountering anything too challenging. Mirror Lake Highway One of the most remarkable recreational playgrounds in the country is right at our doorstep. The drive up the Mirror Lake Highway (S.R. 150) offers the opportunity to literally drive through autumn’s stages from the 6,500-foot elevation of Kamas up to the 10,715-foot crossing at Bald Mountain Pass. The elevation difference along the paved state highway gives you a rare opportunity to see Mother Nature at work over an hour’s drive while gaining nearly a mile in elevation. Enjoy a side trip through Soapstone Basin to watch the aspen leaves light up. Take a short hike up to Ruth Lake. Enjoy a roadside picnic at Teapot Lake.  Get Out, Enjoy Mother Nature has worked hard all summer to prepare for her stage show. Over the next few weeks, get out and see all she has to offer. Whether it’s Cascade Springs and the Alpine Loop, or a ride over Guardsman Pass to Big Cottonwood. Be a part of the show! The post Sunday Drive: The magical rainbow of autumn appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less