Photograph Guardsman Pass & The Alpine Loop

Since this is a loop you can start at either end, but this is the way we did it. Start driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Enjoy the views and take in the impressive peaks on either side of the road. See the changes in vegetation as you gain elevation in the canyon. As you near the top and pass Solitude Ski Area, there will be a small road on your left. This is Guardsman Pass road. Take this road all the way through to the east side of the Wasatch Mountains.

The road turns into a low clearance 2WD road. This is where the fall colors get really good. There are plenty of turnouts to stop and take photos. Make sure you stay on the road that heads southwest into Wasatch Mountain State Park. This will take you to the Heber/Midway Area. Here you can stop for lunch or for a quick dip in the Homestead Crater, a naturally heated swimming area. From Heber, travel south on highway 189 towards Deer Creek Reservoir. On this road, you'll pass Deer Creek State Park and enter Provo Canyon. The turnout for the Alpine Loop will be on your right. Take highway 92 through the Alpine Loop. This section of road winds through Sundance Ski Area and some of the best Aspen groves in the state. Eventually the road will drop down into American Fork Canyon and back to the interstate (I-15)

This is kind of a lengthy description with lots of roads and highways. Use Google Maps to find the route. There are a few different ways of connecting the route. I've attached the route I took for completing the route in the images section of this page.

There are endless opportunities for hikes and camping off of the roads in this area. Make it a day trip or spend the weekend soaking in the fall colors.