Wolf Creek Adventure Trail and Lake

The adventure Trail and Lake at Wolf Creek Utah are showing signs of the fall. The lush green colors brought on by the June rain are fading and the water level is dropping. Despite the water level, I had a blast at a pirate themed birthday party!

North Fork Park

The leaves in the North Fork Park seemed to start changing very early. I noticed a red leaf about 3 weeks ago while running on a hidden trail through the park. My dog ate it as I was checking it out- I guess that she isn't ready for the fall or something!

The first hint of fall colors in the Ogden Valley

I took these photos on Labor Day Weekend, coming back from watching the music at Snowbasin.

It's not always easy to stop on Trappers Loop, especially since I want to almost every time I drive it. No matter which way you look the views and vistas are amazing. Fortunately there are some places to pull off so I snapped a few photos of the last bits of sunlite as they streamed through the broken clouds, just lighting the tips of our mountain tops.

I think you can start to see the fall colors first from a distance, The grasses and fields as they turn golden, with purple undertones. There are faint hints of red in the trees.

I especially like the photo Pineview Reservoir with Middle Fork illuminated in the background. One of Ogden Valley's best kept secrets.

Photography by Bryan J. Smith, OgdenValleyMagazine.com

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Wolf Creek Canyon Hike

A friend and I explored Wolf Creek Canyon Trail after work. Since it is September, I was expecting cooler temperatures but was definitely wrong. Learn from my mistake and dress in layers at this time of year and bring plenty of water.

The views of Pineview are great. The trail has a moderate elevation change as you walk up the canyon. We scared up some large birds from the brush, possibly turkey, and found a Canyon Maple showing off its fall finery. The trees are just starting to respond to the shorter nights.

Wolf Creek Canyon Trailhead is just at the gates at the bottom of Powder Mountain Road.

North Ogden Divide

On Labor Day, I drove the North Ogden Divide from Liberty to North Ogden and was surprised at the number of saplings already turning red and yellow. As usual, I was amazed at the fabulous views on both sides of the pass. On the Ogden side, there are pull offs to watch the sunset over Ogden and the Great Salt Lake. This is probably one of the most romantic overlooks in the Salt Lake metro area. On the Liberty/Eden side, I marvel at the pastoral setting surrounded by mountains. Drive slowly to enjoy the views and to watch for the bikers that make a slow ascend up the steep road and then enjoy the freedom of zooming back down.

I see RED, Fall's Coming

I’m lucky. My commute to work varies from day to day, but always takes me over and around some dramatic mountain scenery. Today I traveled the Trappers Loop Highway from Mountain Green to Eden. It’s only the third day of September, but as I surveyed the various tree varieties on my route I spotted several that showed subtle signs of change. The Maples are always the first to turn and they are my favorite because they are bright red surrounded by many shades of green.

You never know what you are going to get as autumn approaches. Sometimes the colors are brilliant and long lasting, sometimes more muted and quick to come and go – Mother Nature is in charge and she is always full of surprises.

Soon, as the days shorten and the nights become cooler, the hillsides will be dotted with red so stay tuned.

Labor Day Staycation

As I watched two hot air balloons soar high above Eden this morning, I was wondering when the leaves would start changing colors. My husband joined me and pointed out two trees in our yard just starting to turn yellow. Of course, the sunflowers are already highlighting the roads in Nordic Valley with bright yellow and dark brown.

I will be spending the long Labor Day weekend enjoying a well deserved Staycation. There are a long list of activities to choose from but I think I will choose a four wheel drive tour on Avon Road, fishing for Tiger Muskie on Pineview and the Saturday night concert at Wolf Mountain. I think the full moon will shine down on "Pladdohg" an Irish American party band that I have seen before.

Ogden Valley will be filled with music this weekend! Texas Pride Bar-B-Que in Huntsville has a band on Saturday. Snowbasin has afternoon concerts all three days and Friday night is live music on the Patio at Carlos & Harleys in the old General Store.

All of you that have labored through the summer - come relax in Ogden Valley over the holiday.