The Alpine Loop, connects the upper section of American Fork Canyon, with the North Fork of the Provo River, and Sundance ski resort. As a jumping off point for hiking trails up Mt. Timpanogos, the area is popular in the summertime. It is also famous for a great display of fall color as the aspen change in early October, especially in wet years. Many visitors incorporate it into a longer fall color tour that includes connecting canyons and roads through the surrounding foothills. These other areas include American Fork Canyon, Cascade Springs, Sundance, Provo Canyon and Squaw Peak Road. It’s worth keeping in mind, that given the different altitudes and vegetation in the wider area, that sometimes two or more trips are required to capture the turning of both the maple and the aspen. Sometimes you can capture the best of both worlds in one trip, but its never guaranteed.
For convenience sake, I am including the Alpine Loop and Sundance together, since both are on the same stretch of road connecting the two major canyons in the area, Provo and American Fork. Sundance tends to get a mix of maple/scrub oak and aspen, while the Alpine Loop is mostly aspen.
- Looking toward Sundance from the Alpine Loop. Cascade Mt, on the south side of Provo Canyon, is the pyramid-shaped peak in the distance.
Fall Color, Sundance and Cascade Mountain [Purchase]
2. From the Aspen Grove Trail in October. This is the beginning of one of two popular hiking trails that lead up to the summit of Mt. Timpanogos, the second highest mountain in the Wasatch Range.
Timpanogos – Aspen Grove Trail – Fall [Purchase]
Mt Timpanogos in the Fall – Utah