Utah trip in January recomendation

[Rallef]

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Hi there,

 

I need some trip advisories. Maybe someone could help?

 

I'm currently planning a trip for about five to six days with a 4WD from Las Vegas thru some national parks in Utah like Zion, Bryce, Arches, Moab county etc.

 

But I could not find any info about the weather conditions... Ok, I know it's winter, but as it is an aride area do I have to expect much of snow? Sounds like a silly question, but as I said earlier, I could not find any detailed info in the net...

 

I wanted to take my Camera with 18, 35, 50 and 90mm and a tripod as well and enjoy the landscape....

 

So, plan was taking some smaller hiking tours (3-4h) to some nice lookouts or interesting spots like usual, but in winter time.

 

Any good hind is very much appreciated. I will bring warm cloth

 

Cheers

 

Rallef

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[Messsucherkamera]

Here is some weather information on Zion National Park -

Weather and Climate of Zion National Park

Not too cold during the day, cold at night - but not viciously cold.

 

You can't go wrong in visiting Zion N.P. and/or Bryce Canyon N.P. I have been to Zion and would recommend it highly. I did not make it up the road to Bryce Canyon and have regretted it ever since.

 

Another park to consider is Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada which is reasonably near Las Vegas - 55 miles away, an hour or less drive time (been there, want to go back). It has different topography from Zion and Bryce but has many outstanding landscapes and macro subjects to photograph if you like red rock country.

 

Here is a link with information -

http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/

 

Hope this helps.

[spydrxx]

Last time I was in Bryce, my guide told me that snowshoeing some of the trails in winter was really exhiliarating. I don't doubt her, but having been a cross country skiier earlier in life, I'll leave those adventures to the younger crowd. I'll bet it is gorgeous though!

[stuny]

Bryce is at 2,400 to 2,700 meters of altitude in the desert - higher than the other parks you're considering so this link (Bryce Canyon National Park Weather Guide) would be useful. Notice the temperature at night in degrees F? Our favorite national park in that area is Arches, which you are planning to go to. Near it are the two Canyonlands national parks. Reasonably close to all the places you mention is Monument Valley, which is Navajo owned, and you've seen images of it all your life in western movies and in advertising. They have two tours daily (morning and afternoon) leaving from Gouldings Trading Post (hotel, store, restaurant) - tours provided by Navajos. Give that some serious thought. I would not recommend going to Mesa Verde (it's wonderful - numerous Anasazi cliff dwelling sites from the first century AD) since it's at high altitude - We had some snow there in late May. You might want to visit our website to read travel notes and view photos.

[Jeff S]

But I could not find any info about the weather conditions...

 

Simple Google search "zion arches january weather" or something similar will bring up lots of links, including discussions responding to questions just like yours.

 

Jeff

[wattsy]

Simple Google search "zion arches january weather" or something similar will bring up lots of links, including discussions responding to questions just like yours.

 

Maybe you should put yourself forward as a mod, Jeff? You seem to be making it a habit lately of trying to police the forum.

[Jeff S]

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Maybe you should put yourself forward as a mod, Jeff? You seem to be making it a habit lately of trying to police the forum.

 

How is suggesting a search policing the forum? I took the trouble to try the search myself first (using the exact words I suggested for the OP), and would have linked to a thread as I most commonly do, but in this case there were too many interesting links to list just one. Many will be helpful IMO.

 

Maybe you should spend more time helping the OP than policing my posts.

 

Jeff

[MikeEvangelist]

You might also consider stops at Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.

 

Horseshoe Bend (Arizona) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Antelope Canyon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

If you decided to visit Antelope Canyon, be sure to book yourself on the photographers tour, rather than a normal tour. They space the photo groups out a bit more, so it's easier to get shots without people in the way.

 

Mike

[MetaD]

Yes, the weather is likely to be cold but dry. Perpetual, bright blue skies are so boring daytime and sunset photography! It does snow often enough, so you need to be prepared. If you are lucky, you will get some snowfall for more unusual photographs in these parks.

 

Dust and wind will likely be a factor.

 

These parks can be very crowded in the Summer, but you will find it possible to find more solitude in the Winter. Camping is available in most of the National Parks, but finding a campsite in Arches requires reservations far in advance, even in the Winter.

 

I would highly recommend Mesa Verde or Canyon de Chelley for ruins, but there are less developed ruin sites across the plateau at the four corners of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, for example Hovenweep National Monument.

 

I've heard good reports of Winter photography in Death Valley. Again, if you are lucky you'll get some weather.

[stuny]

MetaD - I suspect caution is advisable for Mesa Verde since its altitude can provide opportunities for too much snow.

 

Rallef - You can get an idea of what Death Valley will be like by visiting the Death Valley photo gallery on our site - We were there late last month. Snow will only be there on some of the highest peaks. However, it is far away from the "Four Corners" (the adjacent corners of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico) area you are planning to visit.

[andyedward]

The Painted Desert in Arizona looks amazing, and I would certainy call by if I were in the area

[Rallef]

Thanks a lot for all these info so far!

 

Death Valley is a bit too remote from my planed trip as Utah will be the main area for me.

 

As I've said above, I've rented a 4WD so that some unpaved roads are ok to drive as long the snow will not block the ways or even make it invisible. Don't know if the roadsigns are good enough in snowy conditions in the remote areas.

 

Guess for camping in the snow I will be a bit too old...

 

But the main purpose of the trip is ejoying the landscape and maybe some nice pictures will be an add-on.

[Brian Bower]

A great area to visit and one of my favourites.I would suggest that you check the distances and not try to cover too many of the parks. Bear in mind that a lot of the area is high so snow might close roads temporarily until cleared and some very high roads are closed altogether for the winter period.

 

As a starter the National Park Service site U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America is very informative. You can select the Parks that you are interested in and you will find lots of information including very useful maps as well as accommodation and weather links..

 

My favourite is Bryce Canyon which links very well with Zion en route from Las Vegas.

 

I am sure that you will enjoy your trip.

 

 

Brian B.

[JDFlood]

I have spent a lot ( many months) time in that area. I would consider Death Valley as a backup plan ( personally, it would be my primary) is weather is not good. It is only 2 hrs from LV and the weather is likely to be great. Hugh vistas, lots of 4 wd roads in the park and adjacent. It would be hard to explore the park in 4 or five days. The park is Huge! I like all the parks, but DV is my favorite. And in January, highest probability of best weather. JD

[roydonian]

Sir Patrick Moore, the well-known British populariser of astronomy, died several days ago. A newspaper obituary recorded how during one of his visits to the US, a citizen of Utah had to told him: “We are quite different from the rest of America. You will find no swearing or drinking or wild women here."

 

To which Moore’s response was: "It's hardly worth coming, is it?"

 

So you might want to add an adequate supply of booze and one or more wild women to your packing list.

 

Best regards,

 

Doug

[k-hawinkler]

I would just have in the car plenty of bottled water and some food - in case you get stuck.

And don't let the tank run down too low.

Also, keep an eye on your cell phone maps so you know where there is reception and where not.

If you plan the route for the day while connected to the internet and keep the application alive for example in an iPhone then the entire track (but not the map) is visible, even when there is no cell phone service in an area.

That' still very useful as the GPS doesn't depend on that. So, just having the route and current location is really the minimum I need to navigate successfully in remote areas such as the ones you are planning to visit.

 

BTW, one can easily spend a week in Bryce Canyon alone.

There are lots of hiking trails, but probably also lots of snow in January.

 

Good luck.

[Bill W]

Wow lucky you. I have been to all of these places especially Zions and Bryce many times. Mostly in March so there is not much tourist action. You can easily get to Springdale from Las Vegas and spend the first night. This is right outside Zions. Part of Zions is only accessible by bus but not in January, you should be able to drive all the way back into the park. Depending on how long you stay in Zions, you need to drive through it and on into Bryce. Ruby's Inn has been there forever. After Bryce, I would drive back down to Kanab and through Page AZ and on to Monument Valley. There is a lodge there overlooking the valley. Try the valley as early as you can get down there. From there I would go up to Moab and visit Arches Natl Park and possibly Dead Horse Point. Keep in mind this is a lot of driving but worth every mile. It can be really cold especially in Bryce Canyon. PM me if you have specific questions. Enjoy!!!!!!