Utah trip next week/heatwave?
Jun 14th, 2016, 07:09 PM
#1
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Utah trip next week/heatwave?
Hi,
We are a family of 4 - 2 parents + 4- and 8-year old and we have a trip to Arches/Canyonlands planned for next week (June 17-26), but I looked at the weather forecast and the temperatures are expected to be 105-110 there. We will be flying into Salt Lake City. I was considering cancelling the trip altogether, but we are looking forward to it so much.
Any advice on how to deal with it in Arches/Canyonlands? Or potential other places to drive to from SLC (seems like Zyon and Bryce will be quite hot as well...)
Thank you!
We are a family of 4 - 2 parents + 4- and 8-year old and we have a trip to Arches/Canyonlands planned for next week (June 17-26), but I looked at the weather forecast and the temperatures are expected to be 105-110 there. We will be flying into Salt Lake City. I was considering cancelling the trip altogether, but we are looking forward to it so much.
Any advice on how to deal with it in Arches/Canyonlands? Or potential other places to drive to from SLC (seems like Zyon and Bryce will be quite hot as well...)
Thank you!
Jun 14th, 2016, 07:43 PM
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Bryce will be cooler because it is at altitude. There is also Cedar Breaks National Monument.
The best thing to do at this point is get up really early in the morning and hike then. Be back at the car by 10. Do sight seeing/driving and then hit the pool. You could also do some La Sal mountain hikes which will be much cooler.
Make sure each person has their own Camelbak and that the kids drink--put Gatorade in it if you have to--anything to get them to keep getting fluids.
Arches is actually good in the heat because so many of the hikes are short.
I have trip reports on Moab--for Arches, Canyonlands, and other hikes. Click on my user name and you will see several Moab trip reports--with kids.
The best thing to do at this point is get up really early in the morning and hike then. Be back at the car by 10. Do sight seeing/driving and then hit the pool. You could also do some La Sal mountain hikes which will be much cooler.
Make sure each person has their own Camelbak and that the kids drink--put Gatorade in it if you have to--anything to get them to keep getting fluids.
Arches is actually good in the heat because so many of the hikes are short.
I have trip reports on Moab--for Arches, Canyonlands, and other hikes. Click on my user name and you will see several Moab trip reports--with kids.
Jun 14th, 2016, 08:43 PM
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Not a serious problem as humidity is exceptionally low.
Of course, an umbrella helps.
All buildings are air conditioned as will be your car.
As StantonHyde suggest, walk in the morning and evening and car tour during the day - Island In The Sky
Vaga
Of course, an umbrella helps.
All buildings are air conditioned as will be your car.
As StantonHyde suggest, walk in the morning and evening and car tour during the day - Island In The Sky
Vaga
Jun 15th, 2016, 03:26 AM
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As suggested, do your hiking early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Spend the middle of the day in the air conditioned car or in a hotel pool and drink tons of water.
Other ideas:
From SLC, head to Dinosaur NP, farther north and much cooler.
From Moab, about 4 hours to Mesa Verde, higher elevation and also cooler, hike early in Arches or Canyonlands, drive during mid day and do an overnight there on the hottest day.
It has often been breezy at Island in the Sky when we've been there and it might not be as hot as Arches, but do drink lots of water.
It might be fun to take one of the rafting trips and use the river water to keep cool.
Other ideas:
From SLC, head to Dinosaur NP, farther north and much cooler.
From Moab, about 4 hours to Mesa Verde, higher elevation and also cooler, hike early in Arches or Canyonlands, drive during mid day and do an overnight there on the hottest day.
It has often been breezy at Island in the Sky when we've been there and it might not be as hot as Arches, but do drink lots of water.
It might be fun to take one of the rafting trips and use the river water to keep cool.
Jun 15th, 2016, 05:06 AM
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Re: rafting. Check the age limits as I tend to think your 4 year old may be too young.
Also, I find a hat of some kind to be very helpful, if not necessary, when hiking in the heat. A ball cap will do, but because it's often breezy, we prefer a hat with a drawcord.
Also, I find a hat of some kind to be very helpful, if not necessary, when hiking in the heat. A ball cap will do, but because it's often breezy, we prefer a hat with a drawcord.
Jun 22nd, 2016, 04:25 AM
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It is going to be brutal. That is not uncommon in this part of the world in the summer time. It's why we always go to these places in late fall or early spring - we can't stand the heat. People make a lot out of the fact that there is low humidity - when it's over 100 that is completely irrelevant (in my opinion). Hot is hot, humidity or not.
The suggestion above of hiking early is a good one. I mean really early. I would also try to do the rafting if age appropriate. Lastly, make sure you drink ALOT of water - way, way more than you think you need.
The suggestion above of hiking early is a good one. I mean really early. I would also try to do the rafting if age appropriate. Lastly, make sure you drink ALOT of water - way, way more than you think you need.
