Road Trip. Colorado/Utah

Time of year?

This coming August.

We are thinking of just doing a day hike and checking out mt. rushmore and saving time and spending more in colorado. Maybe doing something in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Has anyone done the Under the rim trial in Bryce Cannon?

Andy, Bryce will be maybe the only place in Utah that won't be too hot in August. You'll still probably want to get out of that area as soon as you can. A great area in CO that you should check out is the San Juan mountain cluster just north of Durango. There are lots of good hikes in that area, and the scenery is rather different from Aspen or other CO mountain ranges (prettier, in my opinion). There are a lot of great 14ers in the San Juans. Hope you have a great road trip!

cedar mesa

The Maroon Bells should be lovely in early August. Crowded (by Montana standards), but lovely. There's more good summer hiking in SW Colorado than you can shake a stick at. The Weminuche, etc.

The Needles area and Custer State park are much more interesting than Rushmore. You'll kick yourself if you give them a miss.

Bryce will be pretty hot in August. Cedar Mesa will be REALLY hot. The Below-the-Rim Trail is pretty nifty, especially the southernmost sections, and you ought to have it mostly to yourself. Water is scarce and you'd have to carry a fair bit, but won't need much insulation so it works out in the end.

The heat of summer makes hiking in wet canyons very nice. An overnight trip in the Narrows of Zion, for instance, lets you play in the water and enjoy the wading without getting cold.

The higher mountain areas of the Colorado Plateau are also very nice in high summer. The Aquarius Plateau north of Escalante is gorgeous, and very little traveled. Few trails, get a map, drive up, go out and explore. Good fishing in the lakes.

The north rim of the Grand Canyon is not far away either, and the high forest there is lovely in summer (or anytime of year).

Should be a good trip.

well it looks like we are gonna go to colorado and chill there for a day or two. Probably a day hike and or a 14'er or two. We then will do Maroon bells and then head over to bryce canyon and then go home.

Couple of questions. Im still debating on wether to bring a duomid or grace duo tarp. Any suggestions? Im new with tarp camping and feel better in a mid but looking for any input and would like the weight savings obviously. Also what are the low temps at night? Looks like maroon bells is gonna be a possible low of mid 30s – 50 and haven't done much research on bryce yet.

Any input greatly appreciated.

I was in the Bells last year at the end of July — I'd say the coldest night was upper 30s (After a day of thunderstorms). If you like to fish, be sure to spend an extra day at Snowmass Lake…

Thunderstorms are almost certain in both places in early August. I'd bring the mid as it would give you the option to choose less protected sites if you want (to get good views).

Bryce is high (7000'), so it will cool off at night, though I'd be surprised if it got too much below 50.

+1 on bringing the DuoMid. It gives you the option of having a more exposed (better views) campsite as well.

The Collegiate Peaks make nice overnight climbs and you can link a couple together in a single trip, in some instances. Count on the afternoon thunderstorms and watch out for lighting on exposed ridges. There shouldn't be much snow in August.

If the water levels are good, take a day rafting the Royal Gorge – great scenery and fun whitewater. Eat at Amicas (Il Vicino's) Pizzeria in Salida. I think you would really enjoy this as an "off day" from hiking! There is also a nice hot springs outside of Buena Vista that is nice after a hike.

Utah is my favorite state for hiking but not in summer. After Colorado you would do better to turn north and spend your time in Yellowstone. It is an outstanding hiking park.