See the fall colors along the Wasatch Front: Fall drives and hikes to check out

October has started, meaning fall is in full swing and the leaves have changed colors across Utah’s mountains. The only question is where you should go to see these fall colors.

Here is a look at five hikes and five scenic drives along the Wasatch Front that allow you to enjoy the fall leaves in their full glory.

5 fall hikes to check out for their fall colors

Buffalo Peak Trail

Located up Provo Canyon, Buffalo Peak Trail is a 1 mile out-and-back trail, per AllTrails. At the top of the trail, hikers are treated to views of Cascade Peak, Mount Timpanogos and Utah Valley. There are a few fire pits along the trail, which gets steeper as it goes on. Bighorn sheep can also be spotted along the way.

Scout Falls

Located along a portion of the Mount Timpanogos trail, the route to Scout Falls is total of 2.9 miles out and back. The trailhead is located up American Fork Canyon. According to AllTrails, the trail is good for hiking later in the day, with plenty of shade along the way. There are also spectacular views of the fall colors.

Wardsworth Creek Trail

Located near Mapleton, the Wardsworth trail is a bit longer, stretching 6.5 miles. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the trail is easy walking, with a few steep side-skirts. The trail runs along and parallel to Wardsworth Creek. During the first couple miles, hikers can often see beaver dams along the creek.

Silver Lake Loop

Located at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Silver Lake is at an elevation of 8,760 feet, per the Forest Service. The lake has a trail that loops around it, at a length of just under a mile. This is an easy, family-friendly trail that has picnic tables along the way. Up in the mountains, there are plenty of fall colors to be seen around the lake.

Willow Heights Trail

This trail is located up Big Cottonwood Canyon, and the out-and-back route is just 1 mile each way, but it is fairly steep, per Utah’s Adventure Family. The trail takes hikers up the mountain through groves of aspen trees, allowing for plenty of views of the fall colors.

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5 scenic drives along the Wasatch Front that offer views of the fall colors

Guardsman Pass

According to gohebervalley.com, Guardsman Pass is a popular scenic route connecting Heber Valley, Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon. The fully paved byway climbs approximately 7 miles to the summit, at an elevation of 9,717 feet. The route offers panoramic mountain views and stunning fall foliage. Along with colorful aspen groves along the way, there are also frequent sightings of moose and deer.

Alpine Loop

Another popular drive for fall leaves, the Alpine Loop goes through American Fork Canyon and Uintah National Forest, according to the Forest Service. The route goes along a narrow road, but every corner is beautiful. From the summit of the canyon, Mount Timpanogos is visible. The closest well-known city to this route is American Fork.

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Kyhv Peak Road

Kyhv Peak Road, formerly known as Squaw Peak Road, is a mostly dirt road that goes through the mountain valleys of Provo and Hobble Creek canyons, per UtahValley.com. The full 28-mile roadway features views of Rock Canyon, Provo Peak, Cascade Mountain, Camel Pass, Mount Nebo and other landmarks. The route can be entered through Provo Canyon, northbound on U.S. Route 189, and it is open until mid-October.

The Nebo Loop

The Nebo Loop is a scenic route near Payson that takes drivers around 1½ hours to complete. Along the route, there is also the option to hike Mount Nebo, for those feeling up to it, per UtahValley.com. The route offers a variety of stunning views such as pine forests, canyons and red rock formations. There are multiple campgrounds and picnic areas along the way.

Ogden Canyon Scenic Byway

According to Utah.com, the Ogden Canyon Scenic Byway takes people up Ogden Canyon, snaking along the Ogden River. The route takes you into Ogden Valley, allowing views of Pineview Reservoir. The drive is 40 miles one way and takes between 45 minutes to 1½ hours to complete.