Zion National Park in December

[winger]

yaktrax are cheap and easy to carry. We use them all the time in the winter. I won't go anywhere icy without them. I don't want to slip on ice and ruin my trip. I slip them right over my hiking boots. We use these: https://www.amazon.com/Yaktrax-Trac...ocphy=9032737&hvtargid=pla-337005193377&psc=1

What is the reason you went with these coil designs and not the ones with actual metal spikes in them?

 

[PamMo]

My sister loves her Yaktrax and gave me a set a few years ago, but I haven’t had the need to use them - yet. Looking at Dave’s weather post, I hope I won’t need them when we’re in UT. @winger, we’ll be leaving when you’re coming into town. Enjoy your trip!

 

[DaveNV]

TY - we are arriving Sun 12/25 so will keep an eye out on the weather before then. But, may just order some spike/cleats thingys just in case. Assume these will last a lifetime since we normally try to avoid snow/icy, but with our travel bugs, we likely will encounter the white stuff, again.

I have a set I bought years ago, and have never needed. Better safe than sorry. Leave them in the package, and if it turns out you don't need them, you can send them back to Amazon.

Dave

 

[sue1947]

What is the reason you went with these coil designs and not the ones with actual metal spikes in them?

I've used both. I currently have nano spikes and they are far superior to yaktrak. They have metal nubs that provide good traction on ice. You can also get some with more pointy spikes as well. For your purposes, I"d go with the nano spikes.
The coils are ok in snow with some give to it. On ice, not so much. The spikes are good for deeper snow where you want good traction. The nano spikes are good on both ice and snow that has been packed down. For Zion, the latter is more likely. For fresh snow, you just need shoes/boots with decent traction and won't need any thing else. So bring along shoes that have some good grip on the bottom. Also, for whatever ice assists you get, when in doubt, size up. Most involve stretching some tough rubber over your shoes. As time goes on, they get stiffer and harder to stretch.

nano spikes

 

[klpca]

What is the reason you went with these coil designs and not the ones with actual metal spikes in them?

At the time they were what was in stock, lol. I've used them for two seasons now. No slipping and other than that, I don't know that I'm wearing them. Last January we hiked about 25 miles over 3 days in snow and ice in Yosemite valley. I would just read the reviews and go from there. I just don't have any first hand experience with the others.

 

[winger]

yaktrax are cheap and easy to carry. We use them all the time in the winter. I won't go anywhere icy without them. I don't want to slip on ice and ruin my trip. I slip them right over my hiking boots. We use these: https://www.amazon.com/Yaktrax-Trac...ocphy=9032737&hvtargid=pla-337005193377&psc=1

What is the reason you went with these coil designs and not the ones with actual metal spikes in them?

I've used both. I currently have nano spikes and they are far superior to yaktrak. They have metal nubs that provide good traction on ice. You can also get some with more pointy spikes as well. For your purposes, I"d go with the nano spikes.
The coils are ok in snow with some give to it. On ice, not so much. The spikes are good for deeper snow where you want good traction. The nano spikes are good on both ice and snow that has been packed down. For Zion, the latter is more likely. For fresh snow, you just need shoes/boots with decent traction and won't need any thing else. So bring along shoes that have some good grip on the bottom. Also, for whatever ice assists you get, when in doubt, size up. Most involve stretching some tough rubber over your shoes. As time goes on, they get stiffer and harder to stretch.

nano spikes

The Nanospikes seem to be due running/regular sites and I will be wearing my hiking boots. Do you have any experience with the microspikes type to tell they are overkill for Zion winter use?

 

[sue1947]

The Nanospikes seem to be due running/regular sites and I will be wearing my hiking boots. Do you have any experience with the microspikes type to tell they are overkill for Zion winter use?

Spikes are overkill and might give problems with TSA??

You are most likely to find either bare dirt or some snow that has been packed down. Spikes are not good on bare dirt (and really bad on rock); better on deep snow. The nano and yaktrak work ok on short stretches of bare trail so they are more flexible.

If you need any kind of ice/snow assist, make sure the trail you choose for that day fits the conditions. Snow that has been packed down by hundreds/thousands of feet is REALLY slippery. The nano etc will help, but they can't work magic. If you are on a steep hill (like Walters Wiggles) with people in tennis shoes (or probably flipflops ) around you waiting to take you out like a bowling ball, go elsewhere. Angels Landing gets all the hype, but only go there if it is bone dry. It's really too dangerous for most of the people who go there with zero experience (noted by their footwear). I think the trail past it is better, but you still have to deal with the conga line up Walters Wiggles.

 

[winger]

Spikes are overkill and might give problems with TSA??

You are most likely to find either bare dirt or some snow that has been packed down. Spikes are not good on bare dirt (and really bad on rock); better on deep snow. The nano and yaktrak work ok on short stretches of bare trail so they are more flexible.

If you need any kind of ice/snow assist, make sure the trail you choose for that day fits the conditions. Snow that has been packed down by hundreds/thousands of feet is REALLY slippery. The nano etc will help, but they can't work magic. If you are on a steep hill (like Walters Wiggles) with people in tennis shoes (or probably flipflops ) around you waiting to take you out like a bowling ball, go elsewhere. Angels Landing gets all the hype, but only go there if it is bone dry. It's really too dangerous for most of the people who go there with zero experience (noted by their footwear). I think the trail past it is better, but you still have to deal with the conga line up Walters Wiggles.

TY

BTW we are driving so no TSA to contend with if we were bringing spikes.

We are only going to go on easy peasy rated hikes (like the Zion Overlook Trail) so just purchased nanos for everyone.

 

[PamMo]

@winger, it looks like you’ll have beautiful weather in Zion. We’ve been hiking the last few days and it’s been cold in the canyon in the early morning, but after the sun comes out it’s glorious!

Do carry your ice cleats with you, even if the trailhead looks clear. Many of the trails in the canyon have sheets of ice on them when you gain elevation or go under rock ledges in the shade. We didn’t have cleats and wished we did. We were envious of those with “crunchy boots” passing us on the trails. (We still managed to do 20 miles,)

Also, GO EARLY! The park has been really busy this week. Kolob Canyon (northern entrance off I-15) is a stunning, less visited part of Zion NP.

Enjoy!

 

[PamMo]

Just another day in Zion!

 

[TheHolleys87]

Just another day in Zion!

What a beautiful photo! I’d like to use it as my iPad wallpaper, if okay with you. We loved our visit to Zion in September 2021.

 

[PamMo]

What a beautiful photo! I’d like to use it as my iPad wallpaper, if okay with you. We loved our visit to Zion in September 2021.

@TheHolleys87, you are most welcome to use my photo. Thanks for asking.

 

[DaveNV]

So @winger, did you make it to Zion? How is it? Weather here in Mesquite, Nevada is nice and sunny, so I'm hoping you have similar good weather in Springdale.

Dave

 

[winger]

So @winger, did you make it to Zion? How is it? Weather here in Mesquite, Nevada is nice and sunny, so I'm hoping you have similar good weather in Springdale.

Dave

So, we just finally slowed down today to do normal stuff - it's been a fast paced week.

Weather was great in Zion, we ended up hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail on Dec 25 (Christmas Day) starting around 3PM right after we arrived in Springdale and did an early check in. Construction at the west Entrance did slow things down a bit, but we were able to find parking in the lot located a hundred yards or so past the tunnel exit. The next day, we hiked Watchman's (got a bit muddy on the way back down), Riverside Walk then Weeping Rock Trail. The last trail, although short, was a little dicey with ice on the first part of the trail, but we managed without the spikes (just walked gingerly like everyone else before and after us). Basically, this was a full day for us - maybe the elevation had something to do with it, but for sure, it was a lot of walking.

Luck was on our side this visit with cold/wet weather occurring before and after our visit. We bumped into a guest at our hotel while in Springdale who had just arrived from Bryce. Apparently, roads were clear but some trails were icey.

Overall, wonderful experience, worth a revisit at some point for sure!

 

[DaveNV]

So, we just finally slowed down today to do normal stuff - it's been a fast paced week.

Weather was great in Zion, we ended up hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail on Dec 25 (Christmas Day) starting around 3PM right after we arrived in Springdale and did an early check in. Construction at the west Entrance did slow things down a bit, but we were able to find parking in the lot located a hundred yards or so past the tunnel exit. The next day, we hiked Watchman's (got a bit muddy on the way back down), Riverside Walk then Weeping Rock Trail. The last trail, although short, was a little dicey with ice on the first part of the trail, but we managed without the spikes (just walked gingerly like everyone else before and after us). Basically, this was a full day for us - maybe the elevation had something to do with it, but for sure, it was a lot of walking.

Luck was on our side this visit with cold/wet weather occurring before and after our visit. We bumped into a guest at our hotel while in Springdale who had just arrived from Bryce. Apparently, roads were clear but some trails were icey.

Overall, wonderful experience, worth a revisit at some point for sure!

Sounds like a lot of fun! Come back in the Spring or Fall - avoid the Summer heat and crowds. Zion has a very different feeling then. (And a lot more people.)

Dave

 

[winger]

Sounds like a lot of fun! Come back in the Spring or Fall - avoid the Summer heat and crowds. Zion has a very different feeling then. (And a lot more people.)

Dave

Yes will try Spring or Fall next visit, but won't have an opportunity for that timeframe at least for two or more years based on work schedule. I do not plan on any summer visit, crowds are not my cup of tea.