cascade springs & alpine loop

Have you driven through the mountains lately? They are so colorful! We decided to go drive the Alpine Loop in American Fork Canyon on Saturday. It was beautiful. We stopped at a few lookouts before making it to our destination...
The boys were eyeing the "Christmas trees" behind them, asking if we could come and cut one for our tree at Christmas.
The weather is so perfect right now, so the only way to drive through the canyon is with your windows down and the sunroof open!

We packed a little picnic to eat at Cascade Springs, but then we saw this sign:

So we walked up the hill from our car and made ourselves a picnic across the road.
I haven't been to Cascade Springs for a few years. It's pretty cool- fresh, clear water coming out in little puddles, pools and waterfalls. It's almost like a maze of little paths. It can take 20 minutes or a couple of hours depending on how much you linger.
It has some really cool vegetation (especially in autumn)...
lots of boardwalk paths... (Why are these so fun to walk on? I don't know, but I think I love it as much as the kids.)

rocky stairways...

rushing streams...

and it even has a couple of drinking fountains and benches to keep you hydrated and rested.

Is this path cool or what? I love the boardwalk, the trees, and the leaves- so magical!
I love how the springs just meander through the grass.






The drive back down was just as gorgeous. We went back through A.F. but you could also go down through Provo Canyon.

Elliott's leaf collection is below. He's already framed them.

And thanks to the nice lady who offered to snap the pic and let us all be in it for once!

If you go:

CASCADE SPRINGS & ALPINE LOOP

From Salt Lake or Provo, get on the Alpine Loop Road via the American Fork or Provo canyons and just drive up the mountain to the summit. The Alpine Loop Road is clearly signed, as is the Cascade turnoff.