Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive, as the name implies, is a road atop the high plateau and ridge lines of the Wasatch mountain range in central Utah. It is a graded gravel road suitable for passenger cars when the road is dry.
The road winds through aspen forests as it gains altitude for spectacular views of the canyons and valleys below. This road lies within the Manti-La Sal National Forest and as described here covers the north part of Skyline Drive from US Highway 6 to Utah Highway 31. The south part of Skyline Drive requires a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle.
The directions for the Skyline Drive begin by driving east out of Spanish Fork on US Highway 6. From the windmills to the Tie Fork Rest Area is about 22.8 miles.
On up the road 1.6 miles is a turn off to the right or southbound. This was the location of the old Tucker Rest Stop before it was removed from the landscape when highway 6 was re-aligned and widened in 2009. Originally Tucker was a town site that was abandoned in 1913.
As you leave Tucker the gravel road is narrow in places, and you should be cautious of opposite direction traffic. You should also plan on carrying water and lunch for an enjoyable time. If you zero your odometer at Tucker it is about 28.6 miles to the paved highway 31.
This road is also known as part of the Great Western Trail, and you will see that signage posted along the way. The road initially follows the Clear Creek drainage as it climbs to the top of the Wasatch Plateau.
Wild flowers are plentiful in early spring and summer. It is also common to see deer, elk and other wild life. There are marked side roads that descend to lakes and valleys in the Lake Fork and Fish Creek drainages.
It is about 28 miles to Utah Highway 31 which will take you west bound to Fairview and highway 89 and back home.