A Desert Dream of Snow: Navigating Utah’s Winterscapes
When first-time hikers think of the desert, they envision dragon’s-breath winds scouring the rocky landscape… rattlesnakes coiling warily in random scraps of shade… tumbleweeds tripping across the sands… and baking-hot rocks standing watch like summer sentinels in the shimmering heat. Cold has no place here, most people think. Winter doesn’t really exist in the desert, right?
Except when it does.
And what the desert winter may lack in warmth and dog-day afternoons, it makes up for in dazzling landscapes, glittering red-rock trails, and sharp, fresh breezes through the junipers. Imagine icicles that glisten in the midday sun, frost that wreaths the trees in a delicate icy sheen, and snowflakes that sift themselves into the cracks and crevices of the bluffs like quiet stowaways, bringing each geological layer into high-definition brilliance and delighting locals, travelers, and photographers alike.
This is winter at its best here in Red Rock Country.
Situated comfortably lower than the chilly heights of Bryce Canyon but still far removed from urban buzz, the town of Kanab offers a calm, serene middle-ground for travelers eager to escape the city and venture a bit farther afield than the usual tour books would allow. With relatively mild winters and an abundance of sunny days, the months of November, December, and even January bring a peaceful calm to Kanab that attracts a select number of pilgrims seeking out the quiet beauty of the wintry desert. Shorter winter days and colder temperatures mean not just the possibility of witnessing the rare beauty of snow-covered red rock formations – they also mean firmer sand for hiking and softer light for photography.
Of course, embracing the best aspects of remote winter landscapes often also means navigating the most demanding challenges that those same winter conditions can bring. From negotiating icy roadways to blazing new trails after recent snowstorms, Kanab’s various veteran guide services — such as the team at Dreamland Safari Tours — boast a wealth of skills and experience with all weathers and harbor a deep and abiding passion for the desert and all of its seasonal faces.
Whether introducing guests to the enchantments of icicle-adorned slot canyons or ushering new hikers into the snow-laden curves of a “winter Wave,” seasoned guides know that the last few months of the year can offer adventurous travelers a unique and unforgettable dance with the desert that the warm-weather crowds simply never get to see.
As a bonus, the winter months also bring the best odds of winning those ever-elusive Wave permits in the walk-in lottery: read more about just how to optimize your chances of success in our Insider’s Guide to Scoring Permits for The Wave.
But, back to winter adventures in Southern Utah: what exactly is the best way to experience the winter version of this amazing desert landscape? As with anything, solid planning ahead of time makes for the smoothest outcomes on the trail. A few points are absolutely crucial to ensure a safe trip for everyone, regardless of the duration or remoteness of your chosen hike. Keeping a sharp eye on developing weather conditions helps to avoid unwelcome surprises once the hike is in full swing. Bringing the appropriate array of gear to combat the cold makes all the difference between smiling hikers and human popsicles when the journey is through. When asked what things to bring, experienced desert guides will always recommend the same: layers, layers, and more layers, as temperature swings of 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit between night and day are not unusual. If you are visiting the Kanab area over the winter months, you may witness overnight lows in the teens yet still enjoy pleasant daytime outings with plentiful sunshine and air temperatures in the high fifties. With a good jacket, a snug hat, and possibly even a neck gaiter to hold in the heat, a couple of mid-layers to allow for different temperatures throughout the day, and the usual sundries to make the hike more comfortable (gloves, sunglasses, and of course, a fully charged camera), the average winter desert hiker will be all set for whatever the trail may have to offer.
For those unexpected situations that require a little extra technical expertise, booking a tour with a guide service like Dreamland Safari Tours can be the golden ticket: a seasoned guide can provide casual adventurers with both peace of mind and the knowledge that the day’s focus is on fun, adventure and enjoyment rather than worrying about the many “what-ifs” that come with winter-season travel in the desert. So whether you are exploring the desert for the very first time or returning to areas you know and love well, don’t let the colder weather deter you from planning a fabulous outdoor adventure here in southern Utah, and rest assured: the winter months are many locals’ favorite time to play.
To book your guided desert adventure with one of the excellent guides at Dreamland Safari Tours, visit www.dreamlandtours.net or give them a call at 435-644-5506!
