Grand Canyon in April
 

Author: Connie ([email protected])<BR>Date: 01/10/2002, 04:29 pm<BR>Message: My husband, 9 year daughter and I are planning a camping trip to southern Utah National Parks (Zion, Bryce, Arches) during the first two weeks of April, 2002. We want to see the Grand Canyon too, but we are not too excited about driving from southern Utah to the South Rim entrance because of the distance. (We're driving to Utah from Michigan and want to minimize driving as much as possible once we reach Utah). My question is this: is it possible to get good views of the Grand Canyon from the north rim? We understand the National Park portion of the north rim is not open until mid May. Is it possible though, to get the "Grand Canyon experience" from Kaibab Camper Village, Kaibab National Forest, Jacob's Lake Campground, or Tuweep? We are only looking for good trails and spectacular views (including views of the Colorado River) into the canyon, not necessarily the programmed/developed National Park experience. <BR><BR>Lastly, and perhaps the most important question...are we going to freeze our tails off camping in southern Utah parks and the North Rim at this time of year? We are hardy campers, but there is limit! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.<BR><BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>

North Rim is my personal favorite since it's not as crowded as South Rim. Having said that, as you point out, the North Rim doesn't open until May. And to get the Grand Canyon view, you'll have to access it either at North or South Rims. There is no canyon view at Jacob Creek (it is a very pretty campsite, though!); I'm not sure what you can see from the other locations you mention, but I doubt it's the same as the looks from the North Rim. If the schedule has to be April, then you can drive to South Rim if you're just set on seeing GC, but honestly, you are going to see such great sights at Zion/Bryce, I think you could just stay in so. UT and come back for the GC another time. Have you looked at Capitol Reef NP? Staying at the Fruita campground would be fun- many deer around the apple trees. And the drive from Torrey over to Bryce is awesome! Hope this is helpful; honestly, you cannot go wrong with any decision. It is all beautiful.

Weather: Look at www.utahtravelcenter.com for temperatures. We have been to so. UT in May and seen snow on the side of the ground at the North Rim- no accumulation, just leftover snow. Think layers of clothes that can be peeled off as the day warms up. Lightweight Capilene lightweight tops/bottoms for warmth under clothes when it's needed; also a fleece vest that can be shucked as the day warms up. Those pants that zip off into shorts also work well. Wear a hat- the sun is strong, no matter what the temp. Again, hope this is helpful. Also look at go-utah.com. Have fun!

I second the Capitol Reef motion with emphasis!! I discovered the place in May of 2000 and fell in love.<BR>If you have any interest at all in the shaping of the land before us, Capitol Reef is a text book. You can see the individual rock formations, walk among them, and drink in the formation's beauty.<BR>I urge you to walk the length of Grand Wash and, if you have the stamina, go up to Cassidy Arch. Hickman Bridge is another nice walk that is not bad at all.<BR>The campground there in May was beautiful. It is watered and grassy.<BR><BR>Bryce is liable to be a little nippy in April because the park reaches an elevation of 9,000 feet at some points. The campground there is ok as National Parks go, but Capitol Reef is better and lower and more sheltered. I don't know about Zion's campground; been too long since I was there. I do know that it is much lower than Bryce.<BR><BR>One thing I suggest is the drive from Capitol Reef (town of Torrey) to Bryce via Utah route 12. It is a very, very scenic drive. Part of the route goes through exposed areas of the stark white Navajo Sandstone, which is a very dominant rock formation in that part of the world. It is a cliff maker in Capitol Reef and in Zion.

April should be a fine month for visiting these parks, particularly for the lack of crowds. Bryce will definitely be chilly at night (could drop into the high 30s maybe), but the days ought to be gorgeous. Zion and Arches are at lower elevations and will only be cool at night. Daytimes might even get hot in the canyons. If I were driving all the way from Michigan, I would add the couple hundred miles that it will take to drive around to the South Rim. True, its a lot of driving, but how could you come that far and not see the Grand Canyon? RB is right - it is tough to see any GC views from the North side if the North Rim access road is closed. You can break up the trip with a visit to Glen Canyon Dam (an abomination, but interesting nevertheless). The bridge over the canyon just downstream from the dam is awesomely high, and the drive along either side near the crossing is interesting (but then again, I'm a geologist).

Connie,<BR>I have never been to the Utah, so can not speak to that part of your question, but can say that you will regret not adding the Grand Canyon leg to your trip if you are coming this far. I camped the Grand Canyon in April a few years ago and have pictures of my group pitching the tent in snow with shorts on! Wear layers, because nights are cold, but days are wonderful! Enjoy your trip.

Great responses, thanks to everyone. Four wheelers in Moab, yikes. I hope they won't be in Arches (I can't imagine), because we will be there during easter week. I almost overlooked Capitol Reef. We have definitely decided to travel to the south rim. We'll probably be camping at Mather. In all my ingnorance I called to get reservations at Phantom Ranch...what a joke! The first available opening is in December 2003. Any other suggestions for exceptional campgrounds in Southern Utah parks and the South Rim. We are tent campers looking for beautiful settings close to trails. My 9 yeaar daughter is an incredible hiker, but we don't want to backpack into sites. She hiked 18 miles in one day along the Cares River Gorge in Spain last summer, so I think she is ready for the canyons! Thanks again for all of your great suggestions.

Connie, the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari is scheduled for March 23-31. While there's no 4-wheeling at Arches NP, lodging/campsites around Moab will be at a premium, and since the town is pretty much set up around the main road, it will promise to be very congested. If you're coming in after Easter, it should be OK, but factor this event into your planning. Since you will be doing a lot of driving, a good guide is "Scenic Driving Utah" by Joe Bensen, published by Falcon Publishing. We've done 3 southwestern trips, much of it through UT, and this book is a great help. You will love this trip!