Last hurrah: adventures for crisp fall weekends.

• Author: Kinder, Peri
• Position: Executive Living

Sooner than you realize, snow will be flying and you'll be wondering where the summer went. So grab what limited time is left to go on a wild adventure, enjoy the mountains in the fall or create the perfect grilled hamburger. What should you do before winter reclaims Utah? With so much to choose from, you'd better start now to fit everything in.

Take a Hike, or Two

First on the list: find out what's it like to stand on top of the highest mountain in Utah. King's Peak towers over Ashley National Forest at an elevation of 13,528 feet. As long as the weather holds out, autumn is one of the best times to hike the peak and avoid summer travelers and hikers. While this hike isn't a grueling, hand-to-rock climb, experts recommend taking at least three to four days to complete the journey.

"Something about going to the highest peak in Utah is a big draw," says Louis Haynes, public affairs officer for Ashley National Forest. "It should be a minimum three-day hike and [hikers] should pack everything they need to get by. They should take their time and enjoy the view."

If hiking isn't your style, nearby Flaming Gorge Reservoir offers unsurpassed beauty during October and November. Enjoying a final fishing trip at this reservoir--known for its trophy trout and gorgeous red rocks that tower over the lake--could be a great way to end the season. The family can also explore the amazing petroglyphs and artifacts left from the ancient Fremont Indians.

Maybe beer and bratwurst is more your thing. For 38 years, Oktoberfest at Snowbird Ski Resort has attracted thousands of visitors to this celebration of German food, music and beer. The festival, which runs every weekend through October 10, is perfect for enjoying spicy bratwurst, tangy sauerkraut or mouth-watering German desserts--along with many varieties of beer, both foreign and domestic.

Getting out of the valley and into the spectacular Little Cottonwood Canyon during the fall is just one of the benefits of attending Oktoberfest. Partying at the top of Hidden Peak is another. For only $12, festival goers can purchase a tram ticket and join the fun on one of the highest peaks in the Wasatch Mountains.

"There will be a party at 11,000 feet with a 360 degree view of the Wasatch Mountains and great views of the Salt Lake Valley," says Jared Ishkanian, Snowbird director of public relations. "There will be alpenhorns up there, playing twice a day. It's really a majestic setting."

Expect to see lots of...