Hey fellas. Wife and I are heading to Southern Utah this weekend. We don't really expect any fall color this time of year (too early), but I thought I would ask. Any updates?
More importantly, everywhere we call indicates that the roads are all torn up and impassable due to heavy September rains. Has anyone been out around Escalante, Page, Hanksville, Kanab, Bluff of late have any thoughts about road conditions?
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 1, 2007 at 4:36 PM
I was in Southern Utah /Northern AZ from September 15th - 22nd. Maples were changing at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, but everything was green in Zion and Capitol Reef at the time.
Thanks Mel and Tony. Tony, that Road Report is what's killing me, as many roads appear to be impassable, particularly roads that I did not find that challenging. So I'm really concerned that all roads are especially treacherous right now, if even the easy ones are impassable.
Brian, the furthest south I got was I-70. The aspens north of I-70 in the Wahsatch Range are about 30% turned, with some slopes only 5% turned, the further north and the higher in elevation you go the more are turned but only at the top of the pass on Utah 39, east of Ogden was near peak. The Alpine Loop looked like it would be another 2-3 weeks before the south facing slopes would turn.
Rocky Mountain Maples however were at peak all over the Wahsatch range.
Based on this, I would guess your best chance at color for aspens would be the higher areas between Capitol Reef and Escalante, and the Bryce Canyon area and I would guess about the 2nd week of October for both, although you might find a couple of early turning groves. Other than those areas you're looking at the last week of October and first week of November for the Zion areas
Cedar Mountain is in full color right now, as should Boulder Mountain. A little color showing in and around Kolob, but not much to speak for. The higher areas in the Escalante region are usually peaking around the 2nd and 3rd weeks of october, with the lower areas like Coyote Gulch around early November. The few aspens around the rim at Bryce are at or somewhat past peak already.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 1, 2007 at 11:46 PM
Oh yeah. I forgot about Boulder mountain. It was loaded with aspens, all green when we drove by on September 21st. They were starting to show a yellow tint then so they should be looking good now.
Discussion
7 repliesMore importantly, everywhere we call indicates that the roads are all torn up and impassable due to heavy September rains. Has anyone been out around Escalante, Page, Hanksville, Kanab, Bluff of late have any thoughts about road conditions?
Mel-
Rocky Mountain Maples however were at peak all over the Wahsatch range.
Based on this, I would guess your best chance at color for aspens would be the higher areas between Capitol Reef and Escalante, and the Bryce Canyon area and I would guess about the 2nd week of October for both, although you might find a couple of early turning groves. Other than those areas you're looking at the last week of October and first week of November for the Zion areas
Mel-