Hiking in Arizona & Utah

[luvsvacation]

We will be hiking in several national parks in Arizona and Utah this July. I know it will be HOT, but I hear there is virtually no humidity. We are in the mid-west and I've been trying to walk between 4 and 7 miles a day to prep for the trip. The humidity is killing me!! Will it be better in the southwest in July or does the extreme heat wipe away any relief the lack of humidity provides?

 

[bcla]

I've done it before. You can get a break from the heat if you do it early morning and get back to either a pool and/or A/C by noon.

It also depends on how hot it is. 100 deg F is still hot, even if it is dry. You might want to carry a spray mister to help cool down. A cheap spray bottle works, but a pumped fine mister works better.

 

[Unas]

Coming from NJ, the lack of humidity really doesn't make the high heat any easier to take. Also consider that some of the NPs are at 7,000 feet altitude, or higher. It takes your breath away.

 

[hpfan100]

If you are planning to hike in northern Arizona in July the heat will not be thAt bad. If you are looking st Phoenix area or farther south it will be miserable. It's well over 100 degrees in July. There is humidity in Arizona but it is very low compared to midwest weather. If you get here in late July it can be during monsoons which increases the temperature and humidity. Blech.... Worst time ever......If you plan to hike get up early... Around 6. If you finish by 10 you will be done right when 100 rolls into town. The high country is glorious in the summer and you will enjoy it.

 

[annegirl]

I think there is quite a difference ( we live in utah but lived in the Midwest for 6+ years.) like others have said - if you get up early you should be good. It is a very dry heat but mornings are usually quite comfortable.
Depends on where your hikes are as well.
We did the narrows in Zion's a few years back and it was great all day staying much cooler than some of the other hikes.
Just bring a lot of water and start early I guess are my biggest pieces of advice.

 

[luvsvacation]

Thank you all for the replies! Now I'm worried, the one thing we won't be able to do is start early. Most locations we are only going to be at for one day. We will wake up in previous location, drive to new location, spend the afternoon/evening hiking, spend the night, repeat! We will be hiking near Page Az, at the Grand Canyon, and in Zion, Bryce, and Arches National Parks. This is part of a larger road trip with other activities like Vegas and Disneyland, so at least we won't be hiking everyday!

 

[hpfan100]

If you can't get up early then plan for shorter hikes and build up to longer ones. The areas you are headed are farther north and should have better temps and humidity than the Phoenix metro area. The evenings will cool down up there as well so the peak temp may be 100 but the low might be 70. Very nice!! Wear a hat, shades and cool clothes and you should be fine. The scenery is beautiful there and you will have a great time.

Don't panic just take it slow and prepare for the heat and you'll have a great time.

 

[bcla]

Don't forget the effects of altitude. Even if you're in shape you can start sucking wind if you're not acclimated. I went on a multiweek trip once, and I felt strong at the end.

 

[5forMickey]

The temperatures in southern Utah this week are expected to be 108, this cools down to around 90 in the evenings, it's hot. My sons baseball team played in Arizona this time last year and the temp were 112, these were young fit boys and the heat did a number on them. I would echo what others have said, go early and late and avoid the afternoon hours and drink plenty of water. Your a brave soul and I hope you have a great vacation but please be careful.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Not sure if you've already gone on your trip but I would recommend Flat Iron trail to the southeast of Phoenix.