The UT Alpine Loop and side deviation to Cascade Spring.

[mecsw500]

Decided the weather was nice for a ride over the Alpine Loop and a deviation off to Cascade Springs (Wasatch Front - Utah).

It said the weather was going to be in the 80's F so I thought it would be nice up in the mountains at 8,000 feet.

Oh boy, I don't know where they get the weather forecast from but my Spider was showing in the high 80's F at the summit and even warmer at Cascade Springs.

Walking around Cascade Springs was beautiful as always, watching the trout in the pools, but it was hot. Riding back down and into the valleys below to get home, it was indicating in the 90's F and it really felt like it.

So, the ride was enjoyable, but even with my summer weight jacket a heavier long sleeve t-shirt under it was a real mistake.

 

[pegasus1300]

How was the traffic? Going on a Thursday may have been a good idea. I know weekends have gotten to be bumper to bumper. Did you go on down from Cascade Springs to Midway and Park City or go back to Alpine Loop? How were the leaves?

 

[mecsw500]

How was the traffic? Going on a Thursday may have been a good idea. I know weekends have gotten to be bumper to bumper. Did you go on down from Cascade Springs to Midway and Park City or go back to Alpine Loop? How were the leaves?

There was very little traffic. Few of the turnouts had very many vehicles in them. There were more motorcycles out than cars I think.

Cascade Springs had a few families out, but only about a third of the parking spaces in the lower parking lot were taken. The overflow upper parking lot was totally empty. The bike was indicating 92F at the springs, and from the heat I believe it to be somewhat accurate. The Draper weather forecast said 87F for a high, but it was definitely hotter than that on the roads. My wife was noticing the heat too.

We went up to the top from the western side, out to Cascade Springs then back down the way we came to the west.

It was so hot, especially walking around Cascade Springs, that I didn't go out to Midway and around via I-80 as we sometimes do. I rarely go down to the Provo Canyon side, I don't know why.

The leaves weren't changing yet. Usually the Aspens are thinking about turning up at the top, but I saw no evidence of that.

One thing to be aware of, coming down the loop from the top heading west, many of the blind corners had rocks in the road from the recent rains. You are largely traveling on the side of the road furthest from the drop on the way down, so up against the mountainside and the rocks falling into the road. I made a mental note of this on the way up, so was a little cautious coming down, but I still hit a small one.

It was a good ride, but it should get better when the temperature drops into the 70s in the valley. Those switchbacks can be hard work, so a few degrees lower would help.