southern utah in mid march – weather?

[Justin Baker]

I am thinking about planning a trip to southern utah in mid march, i want to check out zion and go backpacking in grand escalante national monument, but I don’t have much of a plan yet. I was wondering what the weather would be like out there that time of year.

The only info I can find is for the town of Escalante at 5,800 feet, wikipedia says the average low for march is 26f and the average high is 54f. Is that typical for the area or is the town at a higher elevation?

I’m wondering if I should expect pleasantly cool early spring weather or colder shoulder season type weather with the possibility of snow. I can handle either but I would like to get an idea first.

[Edward Barton]

I was in Zion a few years ago in mid march and went from Wildcat canyon back into the park. Down in the canyons (ie the subway) it got into the mid-60s or so, and on the rim the coldest it got was 17 one night, though I was sleeping in a little dip near a stream. It also snowed about a foot one night. I’d say the typical night time temps at elevation were maybe high 20s/low 30s. But the temps were pretty warm during the day, mid to high 40s I would guess.

[Jennifer W]

We usually go to Zion in April and October for canyoneering.  There was a ton of snow one year in April which slowed us down tremendously in Kolob Canyon.  But the weather during the day is usually perfect, near 70’s.  Nights usually 40’s.  We have had at least one April when it was downright hot, low 90’s, and flash flood warnings, so you never know.  No experience with March.

[Lester Moore]

March in the Canyonlands and Arches areas feels right between winter and spring, with cool nights (easily below freezing) and comfortably days. But April feels like full on Spring, with some very warm days, lots of flowers and more comfortably nights. I always preferred March because it was a little less crowded and a little cooler during the day than April. One March in Zion there was still some packed snow and ice on higher parts of the day hikes out of Zion Canyon, even though lower trails were completely open.

[Justin Baker]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like I should plan on some chilly weather. What are the chances of precipitation that time of year? When it storms roll in, does it usually get cold enough to snow or is that less common?

Also, what kind of precautions should I take for flash flooding? I have never hiked in desert canyons before. Is it just narrow slot canyons that I should stay out of or can larger river corridor canyons become fully enveloped during a flash flood? Are flash floods something that comes and goes quickly or can it last long enough to keep me stranded.

[Lester Moore]

On a hand full of trips in March, it never snowed on us, but it certainly could at higher elevations. Some folks who have spent more time or who live there would have to speak to the actual chances of snow, but it’s certainly prudent to prepare for colder nights.

If you’re backpacking in canyons, then camp up several feet from the river’s edge on some higher ground. The Escalante down from town to HWY 12 is a good example – plenty of higher spots out of the river bed.

Slots (Zebra slot, etc) are another story – check the weather before hiking into them, especially away upstream, where there can be thunderclouds even if it’s sunny where you are. Not a good place to go if there’s rain in the area. Floods should be less likely in March than in late spring or summer, and mornings should have less activity than afternoons during thunderstorm season.

[Justin Baker]

While we are on the topic of canyons, is canyon country the kind of place you can safely wander around and explore without prior knowledge of the terrain features in that area? I am thinking about constantly getting stuck up canyons and having to backtrack out constantly, causing a disorientating corn-maze like situation. Or is it possible to enter and exit canyons by scrambling, or avoid canyons all together, making a wandering cross country trip possible?

I have no experience in this kind of terrain so it seems a little confusing and intimidating. My experience is with high alpine terrain and steep coastal mountains.

[Lester Moore]

The canyons are an incredible place to hike or backpack that provide a very intimate, uniquely scenic and ancient historical backcountry experience that is much different from most mountains. The desert SW canyon experience is not to be missed IMHO. The risk of getting lost of getting swept away in a flood is very very low if you have a few basic skills, or stick to easier and shorter hikes. The risks are comparable to and as easy to avoid as lightening risks in the mountains IMHO.

A good map, compass, research on the canyon you’ll be hiking, researching good water sources and high camp spots if backpacking, and some basic orienteering en route will keep you safe and knowing where you on longer canyon backpacks. But if you are new to canyons, consider doing some easy day hikes instead of long backpacks to introduce yourself to the scene there.

If you’re in the Escalante area, I highly recommend day hiking lower Calf Creek falls – an easy, fairly wide and open, 3 hour hike to an incredible falls and plunge pool. Zebra and Tunnel slots are easy, fun, crowded, and short day hikes with limited time in the actual slots (slot’s easy to access from the mouth). The Escalante canyon from town to hwy 12 is a varied and easy (some wading in the cold, ankle deep creek) long day hike or short overnighter requiring a short car shuttle or hitchhike to get back. There are also hikes up out of the canyons in Escalante, though I’ve done few of them.

In Zion, we were happy to spend 3 or 4 days doing day hikes out of the main valley to some of the major overlooks, such as Angels Landing, Observation Point, West rim trail (out and back), etc. Much more like being in the mountains there (we never hiked any slots in Zion).

[Amy Lauterbach]

Median melt-out date for the snow sensor at 8900′ at Bryce NP is April 20. As of today, they are at a bit over 200% of normal snowpack. If you’re talking about March 2017, then Bryce will still have snow on the ground. Same for the higher elevations in Zion.

https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/nwcc/site?sitenum=907&state=UT

It’s easy to find the snow sensor locations if you turn on the Snow Sensor layer in CalTopo.com

Get a copy of Steve Allen’s book Canyoneering 3. Pick any of his itineraries that match your skill level, prepare for cool weather, and then go. You won’t regret it.

[Brendan Swihart]

As you head down Hole in the Rock rd you drop quite a bit of elevation, so a lot of the Escalante stuff is quite a bit warmer than Zion or the town of Escalante.  I was down there a month ago for 5 days and it never got below freezing.  Obviously it can vary, but generally March is super pleasant for Escalante stuff.

+1 on Amy’s rec for Steve Allen’s book.

Generally there are are very limited entry/exits to the canyons down there and finding them is usually the trickiest navigation challenge.  Allen’s book has great descriptions and most include some great cross country wandering (which is fantastic down there) as well.  Tons of options.  Down Scorpion and up Scorpion Horse Trail would be good, Coyote a classic but also the busiest (though March might not be too bad), the stuff south of Coyote is my fav but generally has some deeper wading that might be a little chilly for March, 25 Mile/Neon/Fence is good, Spencer Flats/Red Breaks/Big Horn area is awesome and great for some open-ended ramblin…

[Justin Baker]

Thanks for the info! Do you mean that it never dropped before freezing at night when you were out there?
That’s great to here that the weather will be more pleasant. After this insane winter we have had out here, I could really appreciate some nice sunny weather.

I’m going to purchase that canyoneering book. Are there any other books you guys could recommend?

What are water sources like out there that time of year? Are sources reliable and predictable? Do you typically find water in canyons? Should I be prepared to carry large amounts of water?

[Marcus Bendixen]

The Escalante River flows year round. As I understand it there are many springs in the associated side canyons. I wouldn’t think water would be an issue in mid march.

I’ll be backpacking off Hole in the Rock Rd in a wk, so may be able to update with more info. It’s a great time of year to go to Escalante.

[Brendan Swihart]

re: water, of course it depends on your route but generally there’s a surprising amount of water in the Escalante area, especially early spring.  Many side canyons will have water and because most of the benches are all rock, they hold a lot of impressive potholes.  If you’re not familiar with the area they aren’t necessarily easy to find, but Allen’s book has reliable and conservative water info.

Michael Kelsey is the other main author on the region but he’s quite the eccentric and it take some getting used to his style.  He has useful info but a lot of people have gotten in trouble following his ambitios time estimates and spotty info.  Steve Allen’s books are legit the best guidebooks I’ve ever seen on any place.  Super reliable and 100x more adventurous and creative than your typical guidebook.  Just get Canyoneering 3 and start browsin.

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