Utah in April?

“I am planning on going to Utah (Zion, Bryce, possibly Canyonlands) in the 1st 2weeks of April. Was wondering: 1. Will it be dreadfully cold at that time?
2. I have a Toyota Celica...can I still reach most of the trailheads?
3. I am not a veteran hiker and so I don't think I can do the Narrows in Zion...are there other good overnighters in Zion?
4. Solo-hiking in Utah: I know, take the usual precautions but are there other concerns (such as mountain lions)?

Thanks in advance...”

“1) It should be perfect backpacking weather, but your're going to be traveling through huge elvation changes which will play a major role in temps, especially at night.
2)Yes, unless it stays cold here and we get a lot more snow. I would say the backroads will be mostly dry by April.
3)You would feeze to death if you tried to do the Narrows in early April. Water temps in the Narrows are not favorable until late May. Look into backpacking in the Kolob Area or in Hop Valley, by far the most peaceful, uncrowded section of Zion.
4). Yes, mountain lions, black bears in Dixie Nat'l Forest (around Duck Creek and north), rattlesnakes and spiders and scorpions in the deserts.”

“A great day hike in the Kolob area is the Taylor Creek Trail. Goes back to a place called the Double Alcove. Be sure to go beyond that to see the crack in the rock where water flows down from the creek on the bench above. Also, when it looks like a dead end (lots of greenery up a steep slope) just keep going up to the next level and continue hiking...watch out for rockfalls though! Didn't get to Kolob Arch (overnight) hike the time we were there. Wanted to do overnighter but at the BLM office there was a scout troop headed back there so we opted out of that hike. We saw mountain lion prints after backpacking near Escalante on the Boulder Mail Trail. Also, good day hike in south zion is the Hidden Canyon Trail as long as you have no fear of heights. Good luck, I envy you!!!”

“Been there...DONE that. I think I wrote you a nice long note on this on some other thread you posted. Can't recall the title, but maybe on merits of driving to the location? Please look. VERY GOOD info (lol, **I** wrote it).... hate to have to write it all again!! ;-)”

“OK, UTAHIKER, quit making fun of me for turning around BEFORE the alcove. We all make mistakes.. lol... ;-)

PS Ravialdo...I was there starting April 5 (Easter week) in '99. It snowed. LOOK for that old thread for info. (Roads may well NOT be good, depending on where you hike. I had a Monte Carlo rental in a fairly bad situation and was lucky to get out.)

Hey REPTILES... how's it going? Been on any good hikes? Married yet, or just almost there? My best to you! :-)”

“Hey there, Lizs, thanks to me and my info you now have a reason to go back!”

“I've got waaaaaaaaaay too many excuses for going back as it is, darn ya anyway!! hahaha

Here is a photo I just scanned and uploaded to Photopoint. Check out the beauty of the snow!! Let's see if this works:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=372656&a=11426581&p=40231857”

“OK, let's try this. :-)


See my photos of Kolob Canyon, Utah at PhotoPoint”

“Pulleeze tell me how to add a photo link to my message...thanks!”

“lizs,
It's going good, haven't been backpacking in forever though!Between some minor ankle injuries, work, and the holidays we haven't been able to get out much. Hoping to get to Death Valley one of these weekends. I proposed to her in the Grand Canyon in Nov. and we have yet to set a date or location. It's either VT, PA, Las Vegas or maybe Zion!”

“Do the narrows. I've done them in March and April. The current was a little faster in april. All you have to do is rent a dry suit. I did it with three people and it cost about 100 bucks for all three. It is a good time to do it cause no one else is up there. check out this site
http://www.zionadventures.com
good people to hook ya up.”

“Oh yeh I'm going again this March...Spring Break!!!!”