Rocky Mountain States

Log cabin homes, off Utah 14, are inhabitable year-round at an altitude of 8,400 feet in Dixie National Forest.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

Leaving St. George, Utah 9 follows the Virgin River. On the western end of the route, a red-tailed hawk surveys the landscape near Virgin. Beyond, the road passes through grassy valleys to the eastern side of Zion National Park, and Zion Mountain Resort’s log cabins.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

Solitude in abundance.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

The colors of fall in Zion Canyon.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

Along Kolob Terrace Road north of Virgin, Utah.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

Zion Canyon in sharp relief.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

Mount Carmel Junction, where State Route 9 and US Route 89 intersect.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

West of Canyon Junction, Mount Carmel Highway winds through Zion Canyon with sharp curves and steep drops.  (Jerel Harris / For The Times)

Clouds are reflected on the surface of Red Rock Lake in the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Early morning in Colorado: rain droplets on fallen aspen leaves.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Afternoon in a Colorado aspen grove.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

At 12,000 feet in elevation, Isabelle Glacier stretches between Apache Peak, left, at 13,441 feet, and Shoshoni Peak, 12,697 feet.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Aspen leaves begin their autumn change of color along a footpath above Ward, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Dead trees compose an abstract mosaic near Red Rock Lake, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

The rippled surface of Red Rock Lake, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

According to local legend, the spirit of Chief Niwot remains in these rocks near Boulder, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Wild aster, Ward, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Autumn’s cast-off wardrobe at 9,000 feet near Ward, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Indian Paint Brush grows in a meadow above Ward, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Last year’s aspen leaves, Colorado.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Aspen thrive near an old mine above Ward, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Ward, Colo. Population: 150, give or take.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

From the top down, Jonah Blitt, 11, and Oliver Zahn, 10, hang out in the Ward, Colo., Public Library.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

One last piece of pie at the Millsite Inn, in Ward, Co. BYO milk and book.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Peace and quiet at the Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa off Highway 72 near Ward, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Some cabins at Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa have wireless connections.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Setting the mood at Alice’s Restaurant, Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Bluegrass musicians Doug and Telisha Williams at Alice’s Restaurant, Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

One of the smaller visitors at the Gold Lake Mountain Resort & Spa.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

In autumn, elk are frequent visitors to Estes Park, Colo.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Aspen leaves change color in the crisp autumn air.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

The last remnant of autumn.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Red Rock Lake in the icy grip of cold wind.  (Francine Orr / LAT)