Fall Colour Tour To Wolf Creek Pass
Sunday, September 28

Well, frost on the punkin's and carburetors was predicted for this final driving event of the season, but instead the weather was more like July with temperatures at the Hogle Zoo rendezvous point near the 70's, and sunny skies with high clouds but predictions of "showers at higher altitudes".

The fine weather helped muster a fine turn out, with 15 British vehicles departing from Hogle Zoo, and several more awaiting us in Summit County. The colour display was immediately evident, with a terrific show in Emigration Canyon as we headed toward the secondary rendezvous at the Sinclair station north of I-80 at Silver Creek Junction. Among those joining us there was local guide Drew Frink, who recommended a small detour from the published route, to follow the Provo River Road from Francis to Woodland, and Drew led the way on his Triumph motorcycle (hence "vehicles" above rather than "cars" above).

The route to lunch at the Wolf Creek Campground near the road's 9,486 ft. summit in the Uintah National Forest was indeed spectacular -- one participant commented that it was the most impressive fall colour show on BMCU tours in recent years. At the campground we discovered the group picnic area was blocked by a locked gate, but our intrepid group picnicked anyway, even though parking was a bit jumbled in the staging area out front. (Hey, at least we saved the fee.)

While eating, the many weather systems in view coalesced into some ominous clouds in the east, moving toward us with despatch (British spelling). For this reason the lunch was a bit less leisurely than customary, and by the time we hit the road light rain was falling. Making the descent road more exciting were several large flocks of sheep and gaggles of goats (is that the right collective noun in this case?), and even a meandering horse. Cattle were also advertised, but failed to materialize.

By the time we reached Tabiona, sunny skies had returned. We then took the SR-208 cutoff to US-40 toward Fruitland, which turns out to be a delightful sports car road, with very little traffic, and its own colour features.

Once on US-40 (which was blessedly light of 18-wheeler traffic), we cruised past Strawberry Reservoir toward Heber City, though another patch of rain added to the spice. As expected, folks peeled off at various points along the way to head to their respective homes, with the surviving cohort stopping at the Heber City Smith's store for farewells and yet another potty break.

The total distance our TR3 covered was more like 200 miles than the advertised 165, but every one of them was pure pleasure.

Participants included John and Barbara Progess, Chris Jones, Roger and Jamie Dotson, Richard Weyland and Linda Lee, Phil Bates, Brett Finley, Tony Walker, Don and Jan Schroeder, Roger and Jill Davis, Rob and Mary Foye, Wade and Alice Ashby, Larry Farrington, Terry and Lien Rees, Keri and Melanie Bruce, Kevin and Marie Cowan, Kent and Janet Topham, Karm and Karen Bradakis, Jay B. Williams, Drew Frink, Rob and Nan Green, and your obedient scribe,

--Gary Lindstrom

Click here to see photos of the event

More photos by Drew Frink