Hit the hills for one last chance to see Utah’s autumn best
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Autumn foliage lights up the slopes rising out of Cascade Springs on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Cottonwood, maple and aspen paint a rainbow of colors on the walls of American Fork Canyon on Oct. 9, 2017 in Utah County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak and aspen line Cascade Springs with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak, aspen and sumac line the trail to Cascade Springs with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Aspen glow below the Wasatch peaks along the Alpine Loop Scenic Drive, State Road 92, Oct. 9, 2017 in Utah County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak, and aspen paint the slopes around Forest Road 114 with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak and aspen line Cascade Springs with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Fiery maples dot the slopes above Little Dell Reservoir Oct. 9, 2017 in East Canyon.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Autumn leaves frame the Wasatch peaks at Cascade Springs on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Golden oaks and red-orange maples blanket the slopes of East Canyon on Oct. 9, 2017 near Big Mountain Pass.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Autumn foliage lights the road to Cascade Springs from Midway on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Golden oaks and red-orange maples blanket the hills of Parley's Canyon on Oct. 9, 2017 between Park City and Salt Lake City.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak, aspen and grasses line the Cascade Springs trail with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak and aspen line Cascade Springs with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Autumn foliage lights up the slopes rising out of Cascade Springs on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Cottonwood, maple and aspen paint a rainbow of colors on the walls of American Fork Canyon on Oct. 9, 2017 in Utah County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak and aspen line Cascade Springs with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Aspen glow below the Wasatch peaks along the Alpine Loop Scenic Drive, State Road 92, Oct. 9, 2017 in Utah County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak, aspen and sumac line the trail to Cascade Springs with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Aspen glow below Wasatch Peaks along the Alpine Loop Scenic Drive, State Road 92, Oct. 9, 2017 in Utah County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak, and aspen paint the slopes around Forest Road 114 with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Maples, oak and aspen line Cascade Springs with fall color on Oct. 9, 2017 in Wasatch County.
(Erin Alberty|The Salt Lake Tribune) Aspen glow below the Wasatch peaks along the Alpine Loop Scenic Drive, State Road 92, Oct. 9, 2017 in Utah County.
Leaf peepers, get thee to the hills. Utah’s fall color display still is looking great, but it’s on its way out.
As of Monday, slopes were aglow in East Canyon, behind Midway, and the Alpine Scenic Loop — but the maples were pooping out fast and the aspens won't be far behind. It’s particularly nice right now because the oaks are going tawny; in the lowering sun, they look golden.
From the Wasatch front, streaks of red maples are plainly visible on the foothills and western mountain faces. The slopes above Santaquin were particularly beautiful this weekend. Look for nice rainbows of color near canyon mouths along the Wasatch. As of Sunday, the Hidden Valley Trail near Ogden was on fire, according to Tribune reporter and hike contributor Jessica Miller.
On Friday I saw aspen leaves flurrying on the wind like cherry blossoms at Fish Lake National Forest; but the cottonwoods were still shining gold in Capitol Reef and Zion national parks this weekend, according to travelers I spoke with who were in both places.
There probably isn't a ton left of leaf season. Don't wait for the weekend. Grab a camera in the next couple of days and head for the hills after work, during the golden hour, when the sun is setting and fall’s tapestry is at its best.
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