Out West in mid-April
Nov 30th, 2011, 11:58 AM
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Out West in mid-April
Hi
Our spring break trip is wide open (3rd week in April). About 4 years ago we took a driving/backpacking trip through northern Wyoming and my 15 y/o had a blast. He has been asking to go "back out West" ever since then (we live in Va. so everything west of St. Louis is "out West")
I was thinking a Bryce Canyon/Moab kind of thing, but I've been reading here that the weather can be pretty cold and unpredictable at that time of the spring (huh? Isn't it always hot and sunny "out West"????).
So maybe another region that's a little warmer would be better, since we will be camping. But it has to be epic "Out West" stuff, ie, scenic, great hikes, and totally different from the hills of the northern Shenandoah Valley.
Thanks
Yours truly,
Back East
Our spring break trip is wide open (3rd week in April). About 4 years ago we took a driving/backpacking trip through northern Wyoming and my 15 y/o had a blast. He has been asking to go "back out West" ever since then (we live in Va. so everything west of St. Louis is "out West")
I was thinking a Bryce Canyon/Moab kind of thing, but I've been reading here that the weather can be pretty cold and unpredictable at that time of the spring (huh? Isn't it always hot and sunny "out West"????).
So maybe another region that's a little warmer would be better, since we will be camping. But it has to be epic "Out West" stuff, ie, scenic, great hikes, and totally different from the hills of the northern Shenandoah Valley.
Thanks
Yours truly,
Back East
Nov 30th, 2011, 12:11 PM
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We had snow flurries in June in Bryce Canyon. The next day we were camping in Kodachrome State Park, a few miles down the road, several thousand feet lower in altitude, and much warmer. You might want to consider Texas (Big Bend National Park), parts of New Mexico and Arizona, but even there the park sites tend to be at a higher elevation.
Nov 30th, 2011, 12:55 PM
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If tent camping, I find public campgrounds preferable to private ones, but they tend to be in the parks and national forests, hence at higher elevations. You might want to Google the various locations that interest you and find out what their elevation.
Nov 30th, 2011, 12:57 PM
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Moab usually has great weather in mid-April, I'd make that a base. Lots of younger people (since you mention spring break) and numerous outdoor things to do, especially rock climbing, world class mountain biking, canoeing or rafting, jeeping and hiking.
For backpacking there are some great April hikes in the Needles district of Canyonlands NP south of Moab. Plenty of things to do in Arches NP and Island-in-the-Sky unit of Canyonlands NP near Moab.
The one time to avoid Moab is during the Jeep Jamboree (or whatever it is called now), the town is filled with 4x4 guys and it's not as much fun for the rest of us. I think it's Easter week but for sure I'd check on the dates before going.
Also a great time to backpack in the Grand Canyon, if you are strong hikers (a lot more difficult than Needles due to the elevation change).
Higher elevations (Bryce is over 8,000 ft for example) may get snow in late April but usually don't.
Anyway, April is the right time for most of these areas in southern Utah and northern Arizona.
For backpacking there are some great April hikes in the Needles district of Canyonlands NP south of Moab. Plenty of things to do in Arches NP and Island-in-the-Sky unit of Canyonlands NP near Moab.
The one time to avoid Moab is during the Jeep Jamboree (or whatever it is called now), the town is filled with 4x4 guys and it's not as much fun for the rest of us. I think it's Easter week but for sure I'd check on the dates before going.
Also a great time to backpack in the Grand Canyon, if you are strong hikers (a lot more difficult than Needles due to the elevation change).
Higher elevations (Bryce is over 8,000 ft for example) may get snow in late April but usually don't.
Anyway, April is the right time for most of these areas in southern Utah and northern Arizona.
Nov 30th, 2011, 01:10 PM
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If you really want warm, fly to Vegas and head out to Death Valley. In spite of its name it is awesome and has campgrounds and great places to hike.
That said Moab area with Arches and Canyonlands also has spectacular places to see, hike and plenty of camping in the area too.
If you click on my name here you can scroll down and find some TR's I've written on past trips to the area, often in April. There are links in them to photos with some pictures that you can see the kinds of clothes we had on that will give you an idea of how bundled we were.
Have a fantastic trip.
That said Moab area with Arches and Canyonlands also has spectacular places to see, hike and plenty of camping in the area too.
If you click on my name here you can scroll down and find some TR's I've written on past trips to the area, often in April. There are links in them to photos with some pictures that you can see the kinds of clothes we had on that will give you an idea of how bundled we were.
Have a fantastic trip.
Dec 1st, 2011, 10:57 AM
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Moab is awesome!!! I have a 17 year old adventurous daughter and we have been 3 times.
Consider www.deserthighlights.com for a super cool adventure. My daughter and I have been twice with them and it is amazing.
Consider camping at
Goblin Valley State Park and Deadhorse Point State Park
(these have showers) Goblin Valley is a little more than an hour outside of Moab. Little Wildhorse Canyon is about 10 minutes from the Goblins and it is a great slot canyon hike.
Another awesome hike nearby this is Horseshoe Canyon/Great Gallery. This is the canyon that the guy that amputated his own arm was found(he was in blue john canyon which connects to it-but was found near the Great Gallery). The Great Gallery is considered the best pictographs in the world by most experts. It is very remote in a detached section of Canyonlands. The road to it is right across the hwy from Goblin Valley turnoff.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks don't have showers(although its just a few minutes to Moab to get one). The Campground in Arches is at the end of the park drive and is in a pretty cool area though. I don't know anything about Canyonlands campgrounds, but the primitive camping there would probably be limitless.
One other place to consider at that time might be Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns. Do a wild cave tour in Carlsbad. Guadalupe has awesome backpacking campsite. You would probably have the entire campsite to yourself. Pretty unique place. It's one of the best kept secrets, IMOP.
Stargazing at any would be good. The star gazing in Utah is really amazing though.
You don't have to worry about bears at any of these places.
That thought also led me to think of Big Bend National Park(I now see that you mentioned it). It is a great backpacking place too. There are a few black bears there.
Consider www.deserthighlights.com for a super cool adventure. My daughter and I have been twice with them and it is amazing.
Consider camping at
Goblin Valley State Park and Deadhorse Point State Park
(these have showers) Goblin Valley is a little more than an hour outside of Moab. Little Wildhorse Canyon is about 10 minutes from the Goblins and it is a great slot canyon hike.
Another awesome hike nearby this is Horseshoe Canyon/Great Gallery. This is the canyon that the guy that amputated his own arm was found(he was in blue john canyon which connects to it-but was found near the Great Gallery). The Great Gallery is considered the best pictographs in the world by most experts. It is very remote in a detached section of Canyonlands. The road to it is right across the hwy from Goblin Valley turnoff.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks don't have showers(although its just a few minutes to Moab to get one). The Campground in Arches is at the end of the park drive and is in a pretty cool area though. I don't know anything about Canyonlands campgrounds, but the primitive camping there would probably be limitless.
One other place to consider at that time might be Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns. Do a wild cave tour in Carlsbad. Guadalupe has awesome backpacking campsite. You would probably have the entire campsite to yourself. Pretty unique place. It's one of the best kept secrets, IMOP.
Stargazing at any would be good. The star gazing in Utah is really amazing though.
You don't have to worry about bears at any of these places.
That thought also led me to think of Big Bend National Park(I now see that you mentioned it). It is a great backpacking place too. There are a few black bears there.
Dec 1st, 2011, 11:57 AM
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Big Bend actually has 2 campgrounds right along the Rio Grande, and one up in the mountains, plus a number of more primitive camping sites close to the main road at various elevation. However, spring break is fairly busy and I don't think it's 'out west' enough for what you're describing. The desert parts yes, but the mountains not so much.
I'd vote for Moab or a combo of maybe Death Valley and Zion/Bryce NP. April is an awesome time to visit.
I'd vote for Moab or a combo of maybe Death Valley and Zion/Bryce NP. April is an awesome time to visit.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 03:52 PM
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To begin, I loved the "Back East" signature!
Nowthen, if I were a 15yo in Virginia... (and knowing what I know from one trip through Death Valley several years ago)... I think I would really like the mere concept of at least going through Death Valley.
It was 99 degrees when I was there one day in mid-ish April and by Death Valley standards that is tame (uhhhh, don't wear black, if you can possibly avoid it!!).
I guess what I'm saying is that something you can combine with Death Valley would be really ideal - why not the Grand Canyon?
Something of a circuit, possibly originating in Vegas, for easy airline connections (I hope)... and including the Grand Canyon, northern Arizona, Death Valley, and perhaps southern Utah, would give him an impressive dose of the west to bring back to school after his break.
Nowthen, if I were a 15yo in Virginia... (and knowing what I know from one trip through Death Valley several years ago)... I think I would really like the mere concept of at least going through Death Valley.
It was 99 degrees when I was there one day in mid-ish April and by Death Valley standards that is tame (uhhhh, don't wear black, if you can possibly avoid it!!).
I guess what I'm saying is that something you can combine with Death Valley would be really ideal - why not the Grand Canyon?
Something of a circuit, possibly originating in Vegas, for easy airline connections (I hope)... and including the Grand Canyon, northern Arizona, Death Valley, and perhaps southern Utah, would give him an impressive dose of the west to bring back to school after his break.
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