Probably the most popular scenic drive in the greater Salt Lake region of Utah, the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway is a narrow, twisty mountain passage known for spectacular views of fall colors, valleys, and mountains.
Officially designated as State Route 92, it’s a 27 mile run along a narrow, single lane road with dozens switchbacks and tight turns. Alpine Loop Scenic Byway starts at the north, at the mouth of American Fork Canyon. It then ascends elevation as it showcases the heights of Mt. Timpanogos and takes you past the Timpanogos Caves. The Alpine Loop eventually runs past Robert Redford’s famous Sundance Resort before ending at Provo Canyon, near Bridal Veil Falls.
For Sash, it was a homecoming of sorts.
During her teen years, she lived in nearby Orem for a short time with her father and step-mom Kathy in the early 1980s. A motorcycle rider, active in a local club, he took her on rides throughout the area, including Alpine Loop.
So for this ride, she took the lead.
There’s an entrance fee for persons wanting to stop to hike and/or picnic. But if you’re just riding through like we were, there’s no fee.
It was a week day, hence the traffic seemed light, though we still had to contend with a number of other cars seeking to enjoy the same views. But there was also several other motorcycle riders.
Sash managed to handle the tight turns on the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway quite well on her V-Star 650. I followed her behind, taking as many photos as I could as she leaned into the turns with swashes of red, yellow, and green fall colors surrounding us. She tried to take some video from her camera mounted to her handlebars, the but the footage had too much vibration and shaking.
We got into Provo Canyon, and then stopped at Bridal Veil Falls, where she and her father used to have picnics. The ride came to a head when I followed her through the old neighborhood and she found the house she lived in with her father, step-mom and brothers. She told stories of her family, complete with laughter, tears, kisses and arguments. Sash learned lessons of loyalty, respect, love and her father’s dedication to his brotherhood here in this home as well.
It was quite the emotional ride for her as she pointed out places along the way she specifically remembered.
I recommend riding Alpine Loop Scenic Byway in the Fall months to see the swashes of Autumn colors.
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