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Autumn is in full swing in the mountains of Utah which means color everywhere you look!
One of our favorite family activities in the fall is taking drives and hikes to look for changing leaves.

We recently took a fun drive up the Skyline in Sanpete County.
It is always one of our favorite places to play and I am dying to get back there because right now the autumn leaves have got to be amazing!
I thought I’d share some of the details of our off-road trip, so you can take your family for a little fresh air, fun, and leaf peeping this fall.

This adventure is geared toward those with ATVs, OHVs, trucks, or Jeeps but it can absolutely be tailored to horse pack riding, hiking, and mountain biking. My brother was making big biking plans the entire drive and it would be a blast! This is just what we did, so take the deets and make it work for your family.

There are so many ways to enjoy the Arapeen Trail System!
You can request a free trail guide HERE.

Because we have a family cabin just off the Skyline, we started our adventure from the Sanpete side of the mountain, but there are several ways to get there.  You can go from Price to Huntington (find the directions HERE) and then on to Miller’s Flat, you can come from Orangeville (find the directions HERE), or you can reach it from Sanpete County.
We like the drive up Fairview Canyon but we might be a little partial.

via USDA Forest Service

Wherever you choose to come from, you’ll want to find your way to Miller’s Flat in upper Joe’s Valley.
Miller’s is a pretty little adventure in it’s self if you like fishing. It is stocked with Rainbow Trout and it is lovely at dusk. Below the res there is a great campground with vault toilets, campfire rings, tables, and group camping.

After some time at Miller’s Flat, drive about 11 miles up the road. Turn right onto Potter’s Canyon Road. Within a mile you will see the campground at Potter’s Pond. You can find out more info about Potter’s HERE. It’s a gorgeous place and even if you just wanted to end your adventure there, you wouldn’t be disappointed.

Just promise me one thing!
No matter what you do, for the love of the children, don’t forget the mountain rules!

The ponds at Potter’s are stocked with both Rainbow and Albino Trout.
If your kids haven’t caught an Albino before, you should totally stop and drop in a line or two.

They are really rad looking fish!

Have I mentioned how much I love this trucker of mine?
We celebrated our 14th anniversary a couple days after this photo was taken. 14 years of adventures down and many more to come.
There’s nobody else I’d rather travel down the old dirt roads of life with than this giant of a man.

Sorry, enough with the mush, now back to the trip…

Once you are done playing at Potter’s, follow the dirt road to the right of the outhouses. You will slowly cut your way up the mountain side and then suddenly the view will open up right before your eyes.

Being at 10,000 feet always makes me feel like I’m on top of the world!
Just look at that view down into Sanpete County.

Amazing.

Make sure you stop every so often to take in the view and pose for a few photos.

Here are some photos that I took up there last fall…

The colors you are going to see from up there in the next couple weeks will blow your mind!
The oak brush will be several shades from orange to red, and the stands of aspens will be glittering with yellow.
Aspens are awesome in the fall.

I’m getting antsy and ready to go just thinking about the leaves!

There are several small trails coming off the main one.
For this trip we followed the main trail all the way out to the summit of the Skyline, but like always, feel free to choose your own adventure!

Make sure to keep your eyes out for signs of the CCC.
Back in the 20’s and 30’s they built the trail and then later in the 50’s terracing of the mountainside was done to try and prevent erosion. Watch for the lines/steps on the hillsides. It just absolutely amazes me every time I see the remnants of what those men did!

Once you are done exploring, follow the main trail out to Skyline Drive. At this point you can head left down into Fairview, head right to visit the Mammoth Discovery Site, continue on down to Huntington Canyon (which is stunning by the way), or my favorite, take a trip to Charlie’s Monument… the fun is up to you.

Packing List:

• Bandanas– The trail can get pretty dusty, so tie one around your neck like a Bandito. You’ll look cool and be able to breathe. Win/win!
• Helmets- Especially for the little ones! Noggins need protection, people! Don’t even get me started. Besides, if the fish cops catch your kids without them, you’ll be crazy sad.
• Cooler- Find one that fits your rig. If you are riding a side by side or atv, you’ll want to strap it in with a tie down or rope.
• Picnic lunch & snacks- We love string cheese, oranges/apples, sandwiches, nuts, seeds, cookies, dried fruit, etc. We like to pack things that are simple, no fuss, and no mess but it’s your trip so pack what you like!
• Water- You’re going to get thirsty and you don’t want to be drinking out of Potter’s without a filter, just saying.
• Gas- Make sure to fill up before you go and pack along extra just in case.
• Camera- Um, duh!
• Pocket Knife & Flashlight- Because you are a good little scout
• First Aid Kit– Exploration can be dicey sometimes, best to be prepared.

To quote one of my favorite Disney movies…
“Adventure is out there!”

So, grab your loved ones and head to the Central Utah Mountains.
Enjoy the view, the changing leaves, the open space, the peace, the fresh air, and the journey.

Fall is my favorite.

*Where are you headed for leaf peeping this fall?*

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