Back Roads

[sparker1]

I arrived in Park City today with plans to stay a week. I want to drive Mirror Lake Highway and some other scenic drives. What I need is some advice on scenic drives in this area, looking for good views, wildflowers, wildlife, etc. I didn't post in the off-road forum as that's not what I want, but dirt roads are OK. Any help appreciated. I am familiar with Alpine Drive (but not current wildflower availability), will probably drive Provo Canyon, Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons.

[stefan]

definitely need to hit up albion basin up little cottonwood canyon. there's a campground up there accessed by dirt road continuing where the highway (canyon road) ends ... this is the magical alta ... lots of little trails and easy access to wildflowers and subalpine forest and beautiful devil's castle.


it's also worth your while driving up over guardsman's pass, starting from park city and entering big cottonwood canyon. it a dirt road for some of the ways.

[asdf]

guardsman's pass. :2thumbs:
There is a graded dirt road that goes from solider hollow just outside Heber and connects to Cascade springs and the alpine loop. http://www.soldierhollow.com/map.php

[sparker1]

Thanks, Stefan & Summit. I will definitely follow your suggestions.

[ericchile]

guardsman's pass. :2thumbs:
There is a graded dirt road that goes from solider hollow just outside Heber and connects to Cascade springs and the alpine loop. http://www.soldierhollow.com/map.php

Thats a good drive, and you don't need a 4x4 now that they fixed the downhill part. But for clarification gardsman's is a different drive. It starts at Wasatch State Park and goes over the top to big cottonwood canyon or park city. No 4x4 needed.

You could also take snake creek from wasatch state park to american fork but a 4x4 is needed for that.

[sparker1]

Thanks for that, Eric.

[Scott Card]

guardsman's pass. :2thumbs:
There is a graded dirt road that goes from solider hollow just outside Heber and connects to Cascade springs and the alpine loop. http://www.soldierhollow.com/map.php

That is a good one. I was going to suggest the Nebo Loop but the back side sorta just got torched by a massive fire, so never mind on that. Provo Canyon and a short little hike to the base of Bridal Veil falls is a fun break for a hot day. Most drive by but few hike to the base. There is a well worn and short trial to the base of the falls to catch the very nice, cool spray. Also, cut over to Sundance for a nice dinner during your Alpine Loop drive. They also have activities/ programs going frequently there that are fun.

[sparker1]

Thanks, Scott.

[asdf]

You should also catch a full moon chair lift ride at Sundance this weekend, Saturday and Monday nights first chair goes up after dark.

[sparker1]

Thanks for all the ideas. With my BIL as a guest, we took several of these suggestions, such as Albion Basin. The wildflowers were pretty good, although everyone kept apologizing for the "poor" year. I'd like to see the in a good year. we encountered three moose on the Cecret Lake trail, including a fair sized bull who walked right toward me. I astutely stepped behind a convenient tree, while he rubbed against the other side of the tree.

At Sundance, we rode the lift and enjoyed the views. Then we drove the Alpine Loop. Later, we visited Brighton and drove Guardsman Pass back to Park City. We also drove the Mirror Lake Highway, as well as Lake Creek Road out of Heber into the Uinta Nat'l Forest.

As I get time to process photos, I will post a few.

[accadacca]

A bunch of us uutahn's were at Sundance riding the lift today. Then bombing down on our mtn bikes. Good times! :five:

[sparker1]

Yeah, I took note of the bike trail while riding the lift. I prefer taking a round trip on the lift. Glad you had fun, hope no one got hurt.