A Little Bike Ride in Liberty to the Festival

We were pleasantly surprised to see a blush of color change on one of our favorite rides in Liberty. Biking from Huntsville towards North Fork Park was a good way to justify trying the yummy treats at the Taste of Ogden Valley Festival.The Powder Mountain booth served up some great Chili.

Enchiladas from Carols and Harley's, Feta/Basel Burgers from Double Diamond... mmmmmm... We also tried fresh-baked pies and gelato ice cream.Even on bikes, we managed to pick up some fresh produce - nothing better than a vine-ripened tomato!

Food Fest

This weekend is the Taste of Ogden Valley and it looks like the weather is going to be perfect for this late summer event. I'm heading over to Texas Pride for some ribs and great entertainment tonight as part of the weekend. The maples continue to take on an autumn glow as they turn from green to red so hopefully there will be some picture opportunities along Trappers Loop.

Tomorrow it will be the Farmer's and Art Market and food samples at Wolf Creek Utah Ski Resort and Sunday brings music and more food to Snowbasin. What a perfect weekend to have a Staycation or to jump on a quick flight from somewhere else. Check out www.tasteofogdenvalley for all the weekend activities.

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

http://twitter.com/OgdenValley

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.