Utah's National Parks. Ron Adkison
light and rarely lasts more than a few days except in sheltered recesses. January and February are often the driest months of the year, with daytime highs ranging from the 20s to the 40s, and overnight lows ranging in the teens and 20s, rarely dipping below zero. But above 7000 feet, and particularly in the high country of Zion and Bryce, temperatures are much colder and snow-pack is often heavy.
Spring weather is typically more unstable than winter, with wide variations in temperatures and precipitation. March usually brings an onset of spring weather, but occasional Pacific storms bring winds, clouds, rain, and possibly snow as late as April. Most often, spring storms are characterized by showers, sometimes with sunny periods in between. But the weather is generally delightful during spring, with daytime highs averaging from the 50s to the 70s, and nighttime lows ranging from 30 to 50 degrees F.
In general, visitation to Utah’s national parks increases during spring, often reaching a peak around Memorial Day, slackening slightly during summer, and then increasing again around Labor Day. Bryce and Zion, however, continue to experience heavy use through the summer months.
Heat and Safety
Summer is a challenging season in which to hike in the Utah desert, and special precautions must be taken to avoid heat and water-related injuries. Any time of the year, however, the consumption of adequate water and electrolytes is crucial for a safe and enjoyable backcountry excursion.
Park literature tells visitors they must drink one gallon of water per day, regardless of the season. But seasoned desert rats know that summer hiking increases that requirement, and they drink at least six quarts of water per day to avoid dehydration. Remember the maxim, “Ration sweat, not water” when hiking in the desert, and drink often, not just when you feel thirsty, and particularly during meals and during the cooler hours.
During hot weather, rest 10 minutes every hour, and hike only in the morning hours before noon and in the late afternoon, after about 5 or 6 o’clock. During midday, find a shady niche, perhaps in an alcove or beneath an overhanging ledge, and rest until the heat begins to abate and the shadows fall.
As one exercises during the heat of a summer day, one increases the chance that the body may not effectively be able to maintain cooling and circulation. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and in the worst case heat stroke may result. Your body expends an enormous amount of energy keeping you cool while hiking in hot weather. You will sweat about one-half to one quart or more of water and electrolytes every hour while hiking in the heat, but since desert air is so dry sweat may evaporate almost instantly, making its loss nearly imperceptible. Do not wait until you feel thirsty to start replacing these fluids and electrolytes; by the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated.
Your body can absorb only about one quart of fluid per hour, so drink one-half to one quart of water mixed with an electrolyte replacement every hour while hiking in the heat. Drinking too much liquid and not replacing electrolytes, however, can lead to a dangerous medical condition known as hyponatremia, or water intoxication, which, if left untreated, can result in seizures and possibly death. To help replace electrolytes, and to supply your body with adequate energy to keep you cool, it is critical that hikers eat well. During a long hike through desert heat you must eat a lot more food than you normally do (at least double your normal intake of calories), since you will be expending enormous amounts of energy. While hiking, eat small amounts of foods containing complex carbohydrates (breads, fruits, crackers, grains, no-fat energy bars, etc.). Avoid foods high in fats and proteins since these take longer to digest and may unsettle your stomach in the heat.
A moderate level of dehydration (fluid and electrolyte loss) can lead to heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heat cramps usually develop in the arms and legs after exertion, causing painful muscle spasm. Heat exhaustion is more serious, and occurs as the body diverts blood away from internal organs to the skin so it can be cooled. Symptoms include cool and clammy skin, perhaps nausea and weakness, and rapid, shallow breathing. If you heed the warning signs, heat exhaustion need not be dangerous. As with heat cramps, immediately cease activity, rest or lie in the shade, loosen clothing, and drink water. If one must resume activity, one should begin slowly.
Heat stroke can result from a moderate to large loss of fluids and electrolytes, and is a serious medical emergency that can be fatal if not recognized and treated immediately. Heat stroke involves the temporary shutdown of sweat glands, so the body is unable to cool itself through evaporation. Though heat stroke is uncommon, learn to recognize the symptoms, which initially include hot, dry, flushed skin, dry mouth, headache, dizziness and nausea, followed by rapid, shallow breathing, muscular twitching, convulsions, and unconsciousness.
If heat stroke is suspected, one must rapidly cool the victim and seek medical attention immediately. Remove the victim’s clothing, and cool by immersion in water or by covering with wet cloths, while fanning continuously to help dissipate body heat. Massage the extremities gently to help increase blood flow and heat loss. These methods should be continued until medical assistance arrives or, if unavailable, until the victim begins to recover. Rest and care should be provided until the victim is feeling better, and physical activity should be resumed slowly.
Sunburn is possible at any time of the year, and hikers should take the appropriate precautions. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing that will reflect the heat. Though long pants and long-sleeved shirts are preferable and help reduce dehydration, many hikers wear shorts. Sunscreen is then a must. Wear a hat that will shade the eyes and ears, and use sunglasses to avoid the intense glare reflecting from slickrock. Avoid licking your lips if they are dry, as this will cause splitting, and instead apply lip balm.
Equipment for Desert Hiking
Many hikers are unsure of what type of footwear to use in the desert. Some hikers wear jogging shoes, and these offer no ankle support or protection from thorny plants. Rigid lug-sole boots don’t provide adequate traction on slickrock. Instead, consider wearing lightweight, breathable hiking boots. These offer ankle support and have a softer, more flexible sole for better traction. Carry lightweight shoes for wear around camp, giving your boots the opportunity to air out. For hikes that require much wading or frequent stream crossings where your feet will be constantly wet (such as in Zion Narrows, or along the lower Salt Creek Trail in the Needles District of Canyonlands), running shoes or sandals may seem like the best choice for footwear, but they are not. To provide adequate support and protection for your feet while hiking in wet conditions, consider wearing an older pair of boots, a pair you are willing to sacrifice to get you safely and comfortably through your trip.
Backpack stoves are a necessity on backcountry outings, as open fires are not allowed in Utah’s national parks. Even in the desert, it is advisable to carry raingear, as storms can happen at any time, and often develop unexpectedly. Most hikers carry a tent, for protection not only from storms but also from carnivorous insects. Sand flies, mosquitoes, and especially the tiny, black, gnatlike flies called midges constantly harass hikers from early spring through midsummer. Strong insect repellents, preferably a natural product, are effective against mosquitoes, and to a lesser extent provide protection against flesh-eating sand flies, but these products seem to have little effect on midges. The only product that deters midges for most people is a bath oil spray from Avon called Skin-so-Soft.
Most soils are shallow in Utah’s national parks, and sometimes backpackers have to pitch their tents on solid rock. Obviously, tent stakes are of little value on rocky sites; hence, free-standing tents are the answer.
Flash Floods
Many hiking routes are restricted to canyon bottoms, and whether one is simply hiking through a canyon or searching for a campsite, keep in mind the possibility of flash floods. Always camp above the high-water mark, indicated by water stains on canyon walls and debris washed from previous floods. Whenever hiking in a canyon, keep an eye out for escape routes to higher ground. Many canyons in the national parks gather their waters beyond park boundaries, so even during sunny weather in your location, a vigorous, isolated thunderstorm miles away could send a roiling wall of water down your canyon. If you hear an increasing roar up-canyon, signaling oncoming floodwaters, seek higher ground immediately, and do not attempt to outrun rushing waters; it cannot be done. Another rule of thumb in desert country is that one should never camp in a wash, regardless of the weather;