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Grand Canyon in Mar/April--Bad Idea?

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Grand Canyon in Mar/April--Bad Idea?

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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 11:59 AM
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Grand Canyon in Mar/April--Bad Idea?

I am planning a vacation with family (we have an almost 6 year old and an 8.5 year old) from Salt Lake City to Kanab to the South Rim at the last week of March/first week of April. We are from SLC, so used to the fact that spring can be really unpredictable. We would be happy with temps in the 60s. Am I setting us up for disaster of snow storms and rain?? I'm just not sure. Its spring break so easy to take the kids which is why we picked that date.

Thoughts?????
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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 12:17 PM
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I'm not going to be much help only to say that we're planning the same and the advice I've received has been postive concerning the South Rim. Of course it seems weather everywhere lately has been unpredicatable.
Is this Spring Break time for most of Utah? I'm from the SouthEast and ours is earlier so I'm curious.
Any tips for Zion?
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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 12:33 PM
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Had it both ways in early April, damp & rainy and sunny and warm. Haven't had snow during early April visit to South Rim. IMO unless the roads are really icy, a dusting of snow, even a little more than a dusting makes the Grand Canyon more attractive. Being from SLC you know sometimes ya just take your chances.
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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 12:58 PM
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IMHO there is no bad time to go to Grand Canyon. If you don't already have reservations there, you will probably be able to get them now. We've walked in several times, and gotten a room once in el Tovar, in April.
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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 01:39 PM
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We have visited South Rim the last week of March. No rain, no snow, and not horribly busy. But we got up to watch the sunrise, and I have never been so cold in my life! Bring warm clothes.
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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 03:08 PM
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A few years ago there was snow and fog at the end of March..but you can't tell what will happen. It may be sunny and clear.I'd risk it.
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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 03:22 PM
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My co-worker is going in April, she was told it will be spring time, very beautiful.
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Old Feb 11th, 2011, 07:54 PM
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Good time if you don't hit a snow storm ... figure maybe 20-25% a quick-moving storm will pass by. Roads are cleared quickly though, if you are flexible enough to wait it out.

Will be very cold at night, cool but typically sunny in the daytime due to the high elevation (7,000 ft).
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Old Feb 12th, 2011, 03:54 AM
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I think the key word has already been mentioned: unpredictable.

We were there in April. One day was sunny and nice. The next day was a snowstorm. Plan to dress in layers.
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Old Feb 12th, 2011, 04:25 AM
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http://www.weather2travel.com/climat...-canyon-az.php

Except for storms fine but below freezing at night

in March come prepared...

Usually head south to www.visitsedona.com also nice

if weather is bad...always rent a car and have a backup plan.
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Old Feb 12th, 2011, 01:54 PM
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Just wondering...how would the drive be from LV to South Rim? Anything to be concerned about that time of year?
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Old Feb 12th, 2011, 03:44 PM
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Just wondering...how would the drive be from LV to South Rim? Anything to be concerned about that time of year?

No problems unless there's a winter storm. I-40 shuts down a few times each winter on either side of Flagstaff when there's snow and ice on the roadway (in December it was shut from Kingman to Winslow for two days, for example). Odds are relatively low for a storm any given day/week but figure one or two brief storms in March is typical.

Safest is to just wait and go at the last minute if the weather is agreeable. No problem getting rooms except maybe Easter weekend.
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