Posted by Kent Mearig on January 12, 2008 at 3:30 PM
I'm considering planning a week-long trip to Arizona and Southern Utah that will begin on the 16th of March. I've been to the area a few times in the past, but most of my travels in the region have been during the end of October and early November. Obviously fall colors are a major draw to some locations, but further trips during that time of year are mostly ruled out. My question for those photographers with experience, and especially those who live in the area, is what will the vegetation be like by mid march? Will cottonwood trees still be leafless at this point, or will they be beginning to green or fully leaved. Having spent most of my life in a place (Alaska) where March often brings sub-zero temperatures and feet of snow, I'm really at a loss when it comes to predicting this. Since the trip will be relatively expensive, I've decided it might hinge on the cooperation of the areas plants.
I'm primarily interested in the Zion and Moab areas in Utah and the Grand Canyon and Painted Desert areas of Arizona. If you can provide any other tips for traveling/photographing those locations during the very tail end of winter and early spring, it would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Kent, things will be starting to bud around that time so you should have some nice green foliage. If you can push it out a month (and depending on precipitation) you may also find some nice wildflowers and blooming cacti.
I spend March, April and part of May down that way each year, Kent. Arches doesn't start to flower till the first week or so in May and peaks a week or so later. Cottonwoods are leafed out sometime late in April as I recall. But if you go further south the schedule obviously pushes up.
It's been a couple of years, but as I recall I was starting to get reasonable wildflowers in Zion around mid-April with areas outside the canyon flowering sometime sooner. I do recall cottonwoods leafed out in the canyon then, but can't remember how it was in March. Further south around Apache Junction east of Phoenix we had riotous cactus blossoms the first week of April one year. They had obviously been at it a while, but I couldn't tell you when they started.
Overall I'm betting you're about right in terms of cottonwoods, or perhaps a little early for Zion, way early for Arches, and probably right on for Grand Canyon and points south. It's variable from year to year, but unless someone who lives there can set us both straight, that's the call I would make.
On the plus side, by going in mid-March you'll miss the worst of spring break and the big influx of tourists that bang these areas in April and May. March is actually my favorite time to be down there, both for the lack of people and the increased probability of stormy weather. For me the big cloud skies and blazing light shows that precede and follow the storms trump all considerations of vegetation. I'd keep my eye on the weather forecasts and drop any prior itinerary planning if a day's drive would put me in front of a storm.
In your shoes I'd spend a day in Zion checking it out, but look more to Death Valley- You don't mention DV, but mid-March could bullseye their vegetation depending on moisture patterns. South of Grand Canyon including the Painted Desert ought to be great. The area around Tucson, and especially south into the Chiricahuas would be really high on my list if I was hitting Death Valley, Grand Canyon and points south. If wanderlust strikes you could also head east to Carlsbad Caverns and south of there a little ways to the Guadalupes. Wow!
Posted by Mike Deasy on January 12, 2008 at 4:10 PM
In mid-March you can find desert wildflowers and lots of red rock and cacti in Anza Borrego State Park, west of the Salton Sea, south of Palm Springs and east of San Diego, as well as in Joshua Tree National Park a couple of hours north and east of Anza Borrego. You should be able to find sites on the web which will update you on the state of the wildflowers.
I've been to Zion the first week of April and the Cottonwoods were beautiful with brand new yellow/green leaves. I would imagine they will be blooming in late March. March is a great time because you can get the highlands with snow and the lowlands are just starting to see spring. Even without blooming cottonwoods and wildflowers, the snow and winter storm clouds and lack of people will more than make up for it. March is a great time to explore the slot canyons around Page as well.
Posted by Bret Edge on January 14, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Kent:
Hank offered a pretty good summary of the Moab area so all I will add is this: Moab Jeep Safari officially starts on March 31 this year. People start showing up in droves the week before and Moab becomes miserable. Do what you can to avoid the area during that time or you will likely not have a good experience.
Let me know if you need any camping, restaurant, etc. recommendations when you do come out.
March 31 this year? I'm not heading for the ranch till mid-March, but had planned a few visits to Moab following that. Sounds like I better make my trips soon after arrival rather than dallying. Take care of yourself Brett!
Kent,
Mid March is when it just begins (as mentioned above). We have had so much cold and rain this year that it could be a beautiful spring. It is still to early for spring runoff so the waterfalls in Zion will be dry (unless it rains while you are here). March is good for Antelope Canyon (IMO) because you are before peak tourist season.
Posted by Kent Mearig on January 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Thank you all for the various tips and information. The dates are locked in since spring break for my district doesn't vary to fit my photographic desires. I've determined that my wife and I will make the trip, in part because of you reminding me that the weather could be amazing during the time I'll be around. I'm flying into Phoenix (to also visit with family) but will be renting a car and spending the first couple days in Zion NP. I'm still waffling on whether the driving will be worth the trip all the way to Moab, but since I'm primarily interested in showing my wife the splendor of the desert southwest, I might not be able to avoid it. I'll post more details about the plans as soon as I've booked flights, and if anyone would be interested in meeting up somewhere for a while to work a sunset and chat, we can try to make the schedules work.
Discussion
8 repliesI'm primarily interested in the Zion and Moab areas in Utah and the Grand Canyon and Painted Desert areas of Arizona. If you can provide any other tips for traveling/photographing those locations during the very tail end of winter and early spring, it would be highly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Guy
It's been a couple of years, but as I recall I was starting to get reasonable wildflowers in Zion around mid-April with areas outside the canyon flowering sometime sooner. I do recall cottonwoods leafed out in the canyon then, but can't remember how it was in March. Further south around Apache Junction east of Phoenix we had riotous cactus blossoms the first week of April one year. They had obviously been at it a while, but I couldn't tell you when they started.
Overall I'm betting you're about right in terms of cottonwoods, or perhaps a little early for Zion, way early for Arches, and probably right on for Grand Canyon and points south. It's variable from year to year, but unless someone who lives there can set us both straight, that's the call I would make.
On the plus side, by going in mid-March you'll miss the worst of spring break and the big influx of tourists that bang these areas in April and May. March is actually my favorite time to be down there, both for the lack of people and the increased probability of stormy weather. For me the big cloud skies and blazing light shows that precede and follow the storms trump all considerations of vegetation. I'd keep my eye on the weather forecasts and drop any prior itinerary planning if a day's drive would put me in front of a storm.
In your shoes I'd spend a day in Zion checking it out, but look more to Death Valley- You don't mention DV, but mid-March could bullseye their vegetation depending on moisture patterns. South of Grand Canyon including the Painted Desert ought to be great. The area around Tucson, and especially south into the Chiricahuas would be really high on my list if I was hitting Death Valley, Grand Canyon and points south. If wanderlust strikes you could also head east to Carlsbad Caverns and south of there a little ways to the Guadalupes. Wow!
I've been to Zion the first week of April and the Cottonwoods were beautiful with brand new yellow/green leaves. I would imagine they will be blooming in late March. March is a great time because you can get the highlands with snow and the lowlands are just starting to see spring. Even without blooming cottonwoods and wildflowers, the snow and winter storm clouds and lack of people will more than make up for it. March is a great time to explore the slot canyons around Page as well.
Hank offered a pretty good summary of the Moab area so all I will add is this: Moab Jeep Safari officially starts on March 31 this year. People start showing up in droves the week before and Moab becomes miserable. Do what you can to avoid the area during that time or you will likely not have a good experience.
Let me know if you need any camping, restaurant, etc. recommendations when you do come out.
March 31 this year? I'm not heading for the ranch till mid-March, but had planned a few visits to Moab following that. Sounds like I better make my trips soon after arrival rather than dallying. Take care of yourself Brett!
Mid March is when it just begins (as mentioned above). We have had so much cold and rain this year that it could be a beautiful spring. It is still to early for spring runoff so the waterfalls in Zion will be dry (unless it rains while you are here). March is good for Antelope Canyon (IMO) because you are before peak tourist season.