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01/24/2005 01:35:24 PM · #1 |
I was wondering if it is worth visiting Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest etc in March? I might get a nice deal to go there (from Holland), but if they are very boring at that time of year it is a waste of money of course....
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01/24/2005 01:40:22 PM · #2 |
The only time I was at Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree was at Spring Break in March or April, almost 35 years ago(!!!).
It can be a wonderful time to go -- not too hot, and maybe with the desert wildflowers in bloom. Many others can be thinking the same, and they can be surprisingly popular/crowded. If you can time it to not be when most US schools are on break it should be better -- even when we went way back then, we could only find a single vacant campsite in Death Valley.
Message edited by author 2005-01-24 13:41:05. |
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01/24/2005 01:49:13 PM · #3 |
Late March would be better. Some wildflowers would be blooming in the deserts and snow is still likely in higher elevations.
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01/24/2005 02:10:45 PM · #4 |
| I have heard that Zion Park in particular can be spectacular in spring time due to the melting snow forming multiple waterfalls on the rock formations. I'm not sure if March is too early for that effect or not, though. Perhaps an inquiry with the Park itself (Rangers?) would be in order. |
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01/24/2005 02:14:41 PM · #5 |
| I've been in the Joshua Tree area in March (didn't make it to the actual park though). It's a great time to visit. It's beautiful as always without the intense summer heat. I've been to a number of the other parks you mentioned in the late fall and they're also nice in the cooler weather. A little bit of snow just adds to the beauty. |
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01/24/2005 02:27:53 PM · #6 |
March is the best time to go to National Parks because it's the beginning of spring, but the weather is still cool! You will not regret it!
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01/24/2005 02:30:43 PM · #7 |
It's one of the best times to go to the desert parks especially; your chances of good skies are very high, the crowds are minimal, and it doesn't get especially hot. In fact it can be cold...
Robt.
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01/24/2005 02:34:42 PM · #8 |
I was at the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest during Spring Break a couple of years ago. The first couple of days were nice - partly cloudy. Then it rained and snowed the rest of the week. March is a great time of year if the weather cooperates -- crowds are small and it's not too hot.
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01/24/2005 02:42:41 PM · #9 |
I asked an attendant at one of the smaller parks near here when the best time of year was to come around. He said it depended on what I wanted to see, there was something different and interesting in each of the 12 months of the year -- and proceeded to list the advantages of each of the months.
Decide what aspect of the park you are wanting to experience -- then call the park and ask about that aspect. Looking through pictures of the park at different times of the year will help decide what you want to experience, but there is no way to experience it all in one trip -- unless you camp there for a year or so. :D
David
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01/24/2005 02:49:59 PM · #10 |
If you should decide to visit, please let me know. I live in Phoenix AZ and would love to spend a day or two shooting with you.
Barbara
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01/24/2005 03:15:36 PM · #11 |
Thanks for all the response. March seems like a good time to go based on your experiences. Snow, water, sky, flowers... Spring, ahhhhhhh...
I'll visit the np websites and check some info/ ask some questions about the weather. The lower temperature sounds good. :)
It'll probably a bus tour, because I travel alone and cannot afford the ridiculous prices everyone is asking for car-packages. Perhaps I can create my own package on the net, have to check that out. But even with the bustour I'd have a day of, perhaps we can arrange something then Barbara, would be great to have a 'local' guide. :)
It would be the second half of march, but nothing is final yet. Still have to think this trough.
edit= typo, my fingers cannot keep up with my brain
Message edited by author 2005-01-24 17:31:10.
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01/24/2005 05:31:28 PM · #12 |
We flew out a couple of years ago into Las Vegas, and then rented a car for 10 days. We were able to visit: Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches (A must see), Mesa Verde, 4 Corners, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, and the Grand Canyon. Yes it was a busy 10 days, but we still pretty much had a day for each park.
Was a great trip. Enjoy yours. Pack warm for the higher elevations will be cool, and probably have snow as well. We were there the first 2 weeks of April, and had dustings of snow. But the snow really made for some great pictures. |
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01/24/2005 05:33:57 PM · #13 |
I'm debating a trip to Yosemite in April/May. I was wondering about weather too :)
So come on folks, let's see some of your National Park pics!
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