Utah weather in April/May
 

We are making plans to go hiking for a few days last week of April into first week of May. We will be at Capitol Reef National Park and Horseshoe Canyon. I have done all this before in the heat of last fall. We are looking for cooler weather but no snow or rain if possible and would like to see green on plants and trees. Does the foliage in the canyons become brown and dormant like up here in the north or do they stay pretty year round and snow or ice would make it hard to get in Horseshoe ... ..is that ever an issue? Thank you!

We've always found the weather in southern Utah to be great in April/May. I think it has been mostly in the high 50's to low 70's for highs. There has been snow at the really high elevations like Bryce or Cedar Breaks. Once the road to Cedar Breaks still hadn't been plowed, but that was a very snowy year.

I must say that we haven't been to Horseshoe Canyon yet - we're getting a bit long in the tooth - but it has been on our bucket list for a long time. My guess is that it would be colder at night and warmer in the day if it is like a typical canyon. As to ice/snow there, if there is none on the road in, I would not expect it to be on the trail but that would be dependent on what the rest of the winter/spring was like and you probably would be wise to call the ranger station on that side to find out before you head down. I don't know when the ranger led hikes on weekends start but you could check on that too.

Thank you .... Good suggestion to call and ask when ranger hikes start because I do know they do them on Saturdays through the summer. I'm now wondering about Capitol Reef park because the average weather there is listed as colder then down in Bryce And Zion .... It is kind of in the middle of the state north of Bryce and Escalante and Grand Staircase so there is still some elevation.

Bryce is higher in elevation than Capitol Reef. Both can have snow in April, but late April is less likely.

Living in Utah, I find spring is far less predictable weather than fall.

One spring in Moab, late March, I hiked in a tee shirt on Saturday and that night it snowed 4 inches. It was a fabulous treat to see Arches in the snow and basically no one there!

There is often snow for Jeep week during Easter.

I have been to Bryce in early May and we had several inches of snow each night. I was prepared for the cooler weather but there were a lot of tourists in shorts who were chased indoors by the cold. Wonderful hiking weather, and no crowds - I did one full day hike and only came across 5 other people the entire hike!! Perfect to have such natural beauty to yourself!

Thank you ! How about the trees and plants ? I know in the fall when we were at Capitol Reef and Horseshoe there were beautiful trees and some shrubery that was blooming or changing color. Dumb question but do those types of trees loose there leaves in the winter like up here in the north? Will,all the plants and trees be dead looking or are things still green? I've been to Utah several times but always in the summer or fall. Always beautiful.!

gaila,

Yes, most of the trees and shrubs loose their leaves. The ones that don't are the pines and junipers, of course.

Things start to leaf out and bloom in April.

I wouldn't be concerned about snow and ice on the road to Horseshoe Canyon. I would be worried about rain or a recent rain. You would very likely need a 4 wheel drive/High Clearance vehicle. Huge ruts are very possible for either. That said, we did it in a regular vehicle just fine.


Personally, I find it hard to believe that average temps would be cooler in Cap Reef than Bryce. Don't think that is right at all.

I am about 99% certain that other than that 1 rare % you would not find snow or ice in May at Cap Reef or Horseshoe Canyon.

I think you would find the trees to be green in April and most of May. Last of May could be iffy, but then again they could be green all summer. Horseshoe Canyon is in a Wash, so they typically stay green anyway. The wash is why there are any trees there in the first place.

If you have never experienced Little Wildhorse Canyon.....It is a fantastic Slot Canyon near Goblin Valley. Goblin Valley is not far from the dirt road entrance to Horseshoe Canyon.


We did the Horseshoe Canyon on our own and didn't go with a Ranger. It is a bit more difficult than what you might imagine. Not a whole lot of shade and sand makes it harder to walk in. You can't really get lost and the Indian Panels are fairly easy to see and find. Great Gallery is very easy to find/see.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF WATER, FOOD, AND GAS.
DO NOT GO INTO ANY SLOT CANYON IF RAIN IS THE SMALLEST CHANCE.

There is literally nothing in this area to buy to eat or drink.
Keep in mind that Aron Ralston was found in this canyon....it connects to Blue John Canyon, which is a technical canyon. This is the absolute middle of nowhere. It is a fantastic hike and worth doing. I don't consider it risky, but like to lay it all out.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsW0k

Photos above are to Cap Reef, Little Wildhorse, Goblin Valley, and Horsehoe Canyon October 15 thru 20. 4 or 5 years ago.

I've only been to Horseshoe Canyon the one time. I have been to Goblin Valley 2 other times both the last part of May. Was fairly warm both trips. 80s and 90s during the day 40s at night.

36 thru 54 are all in Horseshoe Canyon
55 thru 66 are all in Little Wildhorse Canyon.

I've done Little Wildhorse twice. Really good slot canyon and non-technical

Thank You again for all the info. Several years ago I posted a question about Goblin Valley and you ... Spirobulldog ... Recommended Little Wildhorse Canyon. We ended up doing both Goblin and Little Wildhorse! We loved it ! Great suggestion! Last year in September we did Horseshoe Canyon .... I loved it also! Although it was extremely hot ! We were well prepared with water but it got uncomfortable and You are right though ... It is in the middle of nowhere ! We also had a regular car and the road was fine but I think if we go we'll get a 4 wheel drive just in case. Capitol Reef was also awesome and the Cohab Canyon hike was my favorite! Your pictures are beautiful! Only thing we have not done in Utah is the drive from Bryce to Capitol Reef .... We are flying into Salt Lake City because we only have a few days but next time we will for sure do that.... Has anyone done that ?

Also , was the picture of you or someone sitting on a rock with a waterfall in Capitol Reef? Which hike? Have you ever heard of or done the hamburger hike in Capitol Reef? I heard it was good!! 9 miles round trip to a plateau of hamburger shaped rocks!! Look it up if you haven't but if you have let me know if it was worth it!!! Thanks!

We are trying to figure out exactly where you plan to go this time. Now it sounds like Bryce, drive Hwy 12, then more Capitol Reef for a repeat visit?

Bryce is high altitude and will be very cold at night, could still have some snow in spots. Flowers will not be blooming yet and shrubs should be starting to leaf out.

hwy 12 goes over Boulder Mountain, elevation 10,000 ft. Watch the weather and road conditions as you could have a spring snowstorm. All the beautiful aspens will probably not have leaves yet. If the spring has been early and very warm, they will be staring to leaf out at the end of April.

You should plan to spend some time and stay over in either Escalante or Boulder. There is so much amazing hiking to do in the area! Look into having an outfitter guide you if you want to do something less traveled.

Capitol Reef will be in springtime. Nice time to visit but still go prepared for anything at this time of year.

This time we are going to Horseshoe and Capitol Reef . I was just throwing in an extra question about Highway 12 which is something we will do maybe in the fall. I also was asking about the hamburger hike at Capitol Reef because I read it was good. Sounds like from all the responses e weather will be fine. Thank you... Sounds like all of you love Utah like I do!

Capital Reef is a beautiful national park with some excellent hiking. We haven't done the "hamburger hike" but you should talk to the rangers at the visitors center for great info. They've always been incredibly helpful. It could still be pretty chilly there but I would expect great hiking weather.
We've done Horseshoe canyon in the early fall and it was so hot...but worth it. We attempted the long road in once before and it was washed out. Had no problem the following year - but we always rent a 4WD SUV. The trail into Horseshoe is mostly sandy and shouldn't be a problem unless there has been a lot of rain.
When I have more time, I'll post our trip report from a few years ago when we did a trip from Zion to Bryce and out Route 12 to Horseshoe Canyon (Couldn't get in) and back.