The sun had set with the afterglow just beginning as I pointed the Orange Jeep westward along the Duchesne Ridge, homeward bound. Behind me, a full moon was rising majestically in the sky over Wolf Creek Peak. As the road wound its way out of the pines and down into a high mountain meadow, the orange glow of the setting sun silhouetted a sheep herder on horseback riding along Mill Hollow Ridge. The baaahing of the sheep on the mountainside punctuated the crisp late-September evening.
Of all the brilliant fall color drives in Utah, few can match the overpowering display along the West Fork of the Duchesne River just off State Route 35 near Wolf Creek Pass. Driving the Duchesne Ridgeline to the east, you look down across a broad river valley toward electrifying stands of aspen as their brilliant color signifies the onset for winter.
Driving out S.R. 35 earlier in the evening, I was fearing that it was too early for color. Along the Provo River, the green leaves were just barely losing their summer luster. Up on the mountain flanks to the south, only a few patches of red and yellow stood out.
Turning onto the Mill Hollow Reservoir Road, the landscape began to change, enveloping me in the yellows of autumn as I climbed up the draw toward Heber Mountain.
The Duchesne Ridge is an adventure that allows you to break out the four-wheel drive without really needing it. I did the route in our 2002 Jeep Wrangler, never once slipping the transfer case into 4WD. About five miles up, Mill Hollow Road comes to a junction. You can go straight up toward Heber Mountain, eventually winding your way down to Heber City. Or you can turn left onto Duchesne Ridge.
Driving up through the meadow, to the left was a stunning view of the rocky peaks that form the skyline above the Mirror Lake Highway, 10 miles to the north. Mount Watson, Bald Mountain, Reids Peak and more stood silently on the horizon, the evening sun creating a glow off their rocky faces.
Just a half mile up the road, the pageantry begins. Looking across the West Fork to the south, the flanks were lined with glowing aspens nearing their peak of color. Off in the distance, the smoke from a controlled burn along Currant Creek drifted up into the sky.
It was a windy evening along the ridgeline. At many observation points, hunters sat in pickups or ATVs peering across the valley with binoculars. While most of the viewpoints showcase the river valley below, about midway down the ridgeline is a barren plateau where you get a panoramic view of the high Uintas to the north.
The most spectacular attraction on the drive are the rock outcroppings overlooking Heart Lake down below. As the sun was setting, most of the landscape drifted into shadows, while the last rays of light painted white splashes on the gray aggregate rock formation.
Adventures are for building memories. Early in our Utah Jeep days, Heber Mountain, Mill Hollow and Duchesne Ridge were regular destinations for us — getting us out in the backcountry without a lot of worry of what type of terrain we might encounter.
As the orange sky turned dark, the silhouetted sheep herder on horseback faded from view, now just a memory of a wonderful autumn evening adventure.
DETAILS
Getting there: Head to Kamas then south to Francis, pickup on S.R. 35 to head east toward Wolf Creek Pass. Around 15 miles east of Francis, turn right toward Mill Hollow Reservoir. It’s about three miles to the reservoir, then another two to the junction with the Duchesne Ridge road, FR091. You can exit Duchesne Ridge Road in Wolf Creek Pass, or double back the way you came.
Vehicle: This is an easy off road adventure, a great ride in your 4WD. It’s a Jeep ride for us, but you can do this route in a gently-driven Subaru.
What to bring: Plenty of water, snacks, binoculars to spot wildlife and an orange vest if you plan to hike around — it’s a popular hunting region. And dress warmly if you go in the evening.