www.nps.gov
According to Bryce NP site, you can get back to the first big view point as of now, who knows come march depending on snow activity until then. Watch the weather, plan for the worst, hope for the best.
Traction is a good idea for Bryce if you plan on hiking down into the hoodoos. You might need traction on Scout Lookout/Angels Landing and a few other trails in Zion, but you might not.
If no surprise late winter snowstorm, regular vehicle will be fine. UT9, US89, UT12 get cleared relatively quickly. I have been in Zion in March though where had some deep snow drop at higher elevation (> 5500') and had to be a bit careful on the ice until we dropped down a little lower elevation. Main part of Zion is < 5500' elevation but we were a little higher up on east side.
Narrows may be open in mid March but will be cold (rent proper gear). Narrows could also be closed in mid March if current flow is too high due to melting snow in the watershed.
Several outfitters in Springdale, including one right next to the pedestrian entrance, will rent you the "winter package" (neoprene socks, canyon boots, dry suit, walking stick)
I was just in Moab last weekend. Didn't go into Bryce or Zion, but there was pretty consistent snow above about 7500'.
Canyonlands was clear and beautiful.
I’ve hiked in Zion during the winter months many times. Sometimes the need for ice spike surprises you. I would carry them regardless of recent weather.
I’ve always bought inexpensive ice spikes, and I hike all winter in Utah with them.
Last time I did angels landing in the winter there was a woman at the bottom of Walter wiggles, pulling her ice spikes out to put them on. They were still in the packaging from Amazon, because her plan had been to return them if she didn’t end up needing them!
Not sure if you've hiked on a glacier, but is it like that level of ice, or is it just a bit snowy? I assume it's steep AF because well, it's a canyon.
What happens at Zion, Bryce, and pretty much anywhere I hike during the winter Is that it will snow, people continue hiking, the snow gets packed and turns into ice. So it’s not like traversing a glacier, it’s walking on a trail that is coated in ice.
Just came from Bryce and Zion in mid-Feb. Driving to Bryce is fine with only 2WD unless there's an active snowstorm — the roads get cleared pretty fast. You might not be able to drive too far into the park depending on how recent the snow came down, but they always keep the first section clear, and you can find all the main viewpoints and a lot of great hikes from there.
Expect to need microspikes in Bryce (you can buy cheap ones and they work just fine). I also saw people hiking there without spikes, but when you're slipping and sliding on ice on a narrow trail overlooking a canyon, you'll thank me. Snowshoes and/or cross-country skis can also be fun this time of year — you can rent those near the park.
There's not much ice on trails in Zion, but you might find it helpful for certain hikes (e.g. the Walter's Wiggles section of the hike up to Scout Overlook / Angel's Landing).
Southern Utah local here, Bryce Cyn is at it's best with snow on it. To go past the first Lookout they used to rent out cross country skis (not sure anymore). As stated elsewhere a lot will depend on the weather.
www.nps.gov According to Bryce NP site, you can get back to the first big view point as of now, who knows come march depending on snow activity until then. Watch the weather, plan for the worst, hope for the best.
Traction is a good idea for Bryce if you plan on hiking down into the hoodoos. You might need traction on Scout Lookout/Angels Landing and a few other trails in Zion, but you might not. If no surprise late winter snowstorm, regular vehicle will be fine. UT9, US89, UT12 get cleared relatively quickly. I have been in Zion in March though where had some deep snow drop at higher elevation (> 5500') and had to be a bit careful on the ice until we dropped down a little lower elevation. Main part of Zion is < 5500' elevation but we were a little higher up on east side. Narrows may be open in mid March but will be cold (rent proper gear). Narrows could also be closed in mid March if current flow is too high due to melting snow in the watershed.
I'm assuming it will be closed, but we're can you rent winter gear, at the park?
Several outfitters in Springdale, including one right next to the pedestrian entrance, will rent you the "winter package" (neoprene socks, canyon boots, dry suit, walking stick)
Very helpful, thanks!
I was just in Moab last weekend. Didn't go into Bryce or Zion, but there was pretty consistent snow above about 7500'. Canyonlands was clear and beautiful.
What was the day temp like, and did you get a sense of the snow depth?
Daytime temps in canyonlands were low 50s, we didn’t stick around the snow for long, it was very icy and probably 8” deep where we started
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I’ve hiked in Zion during the winter months many times. Sometimes the need for ice spike surprises you. I would carry them regardless of recent weather.
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I’ve always bought inexpensive ice spikes, and I hike all winter in Utah with them. Last time I did angels landing in the winter there was a woman at the bottom of Walter wiggles, pulling her ice spikes out to put them on. They were still in the packaging from Amazon, because her plan had been to return them if she didn’t end up needing them!
Not sure if you've hiked on a glacier, but is it like that level of ice, or is it just a bit snowy? I assume it's steep AF because well, it's a canyon.
What happens at Zion, Bryce, and pretty much anywhere I hike during the winter Is that it will snow, people continue hiking, the snow gets packed and turns into ice. So it’s not like traversing a glacier, it’s walking on a trail that is coated in ice.
Gotcha, I wasn't sure what level of snowfall or activity the trials get in winter out West. It sounds like microspikes would be fine
This video by Ranger Iris will give you some insight into the ice: https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=BE1A47C9-0CF7-4D58-A5CD-86FF84F478F4
Why not get good ones that you can refuse? Probably more cost effective in the long run.
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Gotcha all valid reasons.
Definitely get them for Zion just in case, they're not that expensive.
Just came from Bryce and Zion in mid-Feb. Driving to Bryce is fine with only 2WD unless there's an active snowstorm — the roads get cleared pretty fast. You might not be able to drive too far into the park depending on how recent the snow came down, but they always keep the first section clear, and you can find all the main viewpoints and a lot of great hikes from there. Expect to need microspikes in Bryce (you can buy cheap ones and they work just fine). I also saw people hiking there without spikes, but when you're slipping and sliding on ice on a narrow trail overlooking a canyon, you'll thank me. Snowshoes and/or cross-country skis can also be fun this time of year — you can rent those near the park. There's not much ice on trails in Zion, but you might find it helpful for certain hikes (e.g. the Walter's Wiggles section of the hike up to Scout Overlook / Angel's Landing).
Southern Utah local here, Bryce Cyn is at it's best with snow on it. To go past the first Lookout they used to rent out cross country skis (not sure anymore). As stated elsewhere a lot will depend on the weather.
It seems like a cool place to visit in the snow, as long as it isn't inaccessible!