UKC

I'm thinking of taking a 3 week trip to Colorado and Utah next summer. The plan would be to pick up an RV at the airport then spend the time cruising round the National Parks. We'll have our toddler with us so the focus will be on day hikes and accessible wilderness camping with any climbing restricted to bouldering or single pitch sport at easy grades.

Anyone done something similar? I'm looking for advise about unmissable locations.

Also, how hot it will be in Utah in July / August?

And is it possible to hire a relatively modest campervan? The smallest I've seen sleeps 6 and does 7 mpg!

In reply to the real dr gav:


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In reply to the real dr gav: How hot will it be in Utah in July/August?---very and then some. Lower altitude Colorado as well. However, climbing--and existing--is usually tolerable in the shade, even on the hottest days. For climbing in Utah, Maple Canyon--a sport area roughly in the middle of the state is a good summer choice, but not the most toddler-friendly locale. Another very good Utah summer area is in the Uinta Mountains about 1 1/2 hours northeast of Salt Lake--a really pretty, almost roadside area at c10,000ft. in a semi-alpine setting with mostly single-pitch sport and trad on quartzite. There are alot of lakes for camping and short, easy open approaches to the crags. Colorado actually has less that meets your criteria for a summer visit(unless I'm forgetting something) as most of the cooler, high altitude cragging areas are multi-pitch and require a bit of an approach. Though I'm sure the bouldering in Rocky Mountain and Evans would be OK for you. Another place to consider is the City of Rocks. It is in Idaho, but just over the border from Utah--about 3 hours drive from Salt Lake--pretty setting. Lots of 1 pitch sport and trad on interesting granite formations--reminiscent of, but better quality rock and climbing than, Joshua Tree. In all these areas, with a toddler, beware of snakes and poison ivy/oak as both a relatively common--except in the Uintas. As far as renting a RV at the airport, I've never tried and I've never noticed them for rent at the usual places, though there are likely specialist places that have them available. It may be possible to buy a used one, then resell it at the end, but I expect this would be a time-consuming hassle for a short trip with registration, insurance, etc. requirements.

In reply to Removed User:

Cheers for the tips.

I was thinking july / august primarily for the rockies, to be sure that the snow had melted. Went to Rocky Mountain NP in may a few years back and snowshoes or skis were essential.

Would you reccommend going earlier or later in the year when it's cooler?

In reply to the real dr gav:


I've got a few 'climbers on twitter' in that area. There seem to be loads based around Boulder. If you're on twitter I'll give you their names.

In reply to the real dr gav:

We have had some great RV road trips in North America with our kids, but I would consider changing either your destination or time of year. Determined climbers may be able to seek out shade and/or climb early, but that won't help you fill the rest of the day with a toddler in temperatures likely to be reaching 100.

If you are not tied to school holidays, autumn is the best time to visit Utah and all but the highest parts of Colorado. As well as the temperatures being much more comfortable, everything will be much quieter, and you won't need to worry about campgrounds being full. Alternatively go high in the Rockies for cooler temperatures, but this is less child friendly.

I would thoroughly recommend a book called 'Fun Climbs Colorado: Best Family Climbing Vacations' by Sibylle Hechtel. It not only recommends child-friendly crags, but also good campsites and other activities in each area.

The Americans do seem to think very big on RVs, and we've always had to rent vehicles much bigger than we would normally need. However Cruise America do a 3 berth which looks more manageable. We were also happy with Moturist, though I think their smallest model is an overgenerous 4 berth.

To enjoy the wilderness experience from an RV look for National Park and Forest Service campgrounds, particularly if you're happy to do without hook-up.

Unmissable places? Too many to mention! But if it's not too hot, Bryce and Arches probably top the list.

In reply to the real dr gav: I totally agree with "heleno"'s comments above. If you can swing it, fall(Sept./Oct.)is the best time of year to visit these locales, obviously the higher you want to go the earlier the better, but the lower altitude areas are at their prime then. Winter is possible in a number of areas, but always risky weather-wise, though the desert under the (rare) snow is something to see. Spring can also be very good but tends to be a bit more unstable than fall, and, as you saw on your previous visit, the winter snowpack can limit the opportunities at higher and even medium altitudes. However, if you do head over in summer, than the suggestions in my earlier post are worth checking out, especially the Uintas and City of Rocks. The Uintas are not a world-class or standard pushing area, but are simply a very accessible fun place to climb and hang with the family in a very pleasant environment that is ideal in summer, while the City offers great climbing in a true "wild west" setting that is also highly accessible, though there isn't too much else to do in the immediate vicinity for the non-climbers.

In reply to the real dr gav:
for midsummer colorado, Independence Pass, just outside of Aspen has alot of single pitch granite and trails and outstanding scenery. Theres an RV friendly campground - "Difficult Campground" at the bottom of the Pass but sites are at a premium - you might want to look into booking ahead.
Heres a link to the climbing
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/colorado/independence_pass/105744331
There's also alot of newly developed cragging outside of Ouray, which is a good summer venue - cheaper than Aspen.
Just stay high and you will be cool(ish)

In reply to the real dr gav: Did some of Colorado and Utah this summer. It was still 104 degrees in moab at 9 in't evenin in July! a touch warm! We still managed to climb but it was hotter than the centre of the earth! Maybe Zion, as it's high up, but its multi pitch heaven! Colorado is still hot but you can hit higher ground like Lumpy ridge. Theres loads of climbing high up, but it's a walk in, not great for kids and still toastie. We went to an awesome place in Idaho, called city of rocks, fantastic single pitch and awesome place for the anklebiters and a bit cooler! Worth considering, maybe.

In reply to heleno:

Some great tips on this thread, thanks.

Don't know if I can wait until september for my next real holiday. I'm totally flexible on timing When is the earliest you'd recommend visiting Utah?

Other areas I've been considering are Oregon, British Columbia and Yellowstone.

In reply to the real dr gav: It depends on what parts of Utah you wish to visit and for what purposes. For example, the St. George area--the SW corner, is probably at its best in winter. It has good climbing, pretty desert scenery--interesting mix of sandstone, limestone and volcanic formations, not much night life though!!! But at the same time of year other areas are buried/basking under feet of powder snow. For the Moab area spring (starting late Feb or early Mar.) or (better) fall extending into Dec. are the best seasons. The canyons around Salt Lake, Logan, Ogden etc are again best in spring and fall, but OK in the shade in summer or sun (lower canyons) in winter. In Little Cottonwood, just outside of Salt Lake City it is sometimes possible to do an ice climb on one side of the road then cross the street and do a rock route or go bouldering in your shirt sleeves.

In reply to the real dr gav:


We visited BC and the Rockies in July and August a few years ago and found temperatures to be just about right - however, I think we were quite lucky to get fine weather throughout the trip. There is more child-friendly sports climbing than you might think too, especially around Banff and Lake Louise. If the weather bombs out you can also visit the Okanagan area, which gets a dry, mediterranean style climate.

We've only been to Yellowstone out of season, so can't advise on that, but Oregon too can be very hot in summer, especially if you are heading to Smith.

I agree with the suggestions others have made about City of the Rocks Idaho as a very nice family climbing destination, especially if you can avoid weekends.

In reply to the real dr gav: I have travelled in Utah and Colorado in April and never had any problems with snow esp in low lying easily accessible boulders and and crags. In fact it was getting a bit warm for bouldering already. The more alpine ones are probably not feasible with nipper anyway. Joe's Valley and Jurassic Area near Price in Utah are great for roadside bouldering, and Capitol Reef is not far away for amazing scenery and day / half day hikes.

In reply to the real dr gav: did you get my PM?