West - Condition of Southern Utah & Northern Arizona Roads in mid-March?

I'm considering taking a road trip from Texas to the Grand Canyon and back, with a primary emphasis of visiting the National Parks of Southern Utah, during the second or third week of March. I'll likely not be traveling on I-40, either after passing through Flagstaff (to get to the Grand Canyon) or until getting to Albuquerque (on the way back from Arches National Park).

Does anyone know what the roads are like during this time? If there is any snow, are the roads cleared promptly? Is ice a general hazard during this time period?

I did some extensive driving in Northern AZ last January. I took AZ-260 to 89A from Camp Verde to Flagstaff then I-40 to Holbrook followed by AZ-377, 277 and 87 home. All the road were in very good condition for the grip of winter. I can't speak to Utah though. Sounds like a great trip!

You are aware the north rim of the Grand Canyon NP will be closed? I imagine same for Cedar Breaks NM.

At least around early March 3 years ago, it was dry (and cold at night) but with no trace of any accumulated snow. This was experienced climbing up from the Hoover Dam area, to Flagstaff (going all around the S.F. peaks), and down to Sedona. The weather can be highly variable though and may not precipitate for weeks than dump a load of snow.

The high desert's dry so any accumulation generate will sublimate (just turn from ice/snow to water vapour w/o melting). You do have to watch for frozen melt at night and in the shade though. To minimize snow/ice risk, you might want to plan your trip to have routes that don't go through forests (tends to be drier, with less snow accumulation) and places that do (which tend to have more accumulation hence provide the meltoff to grow trees).

March is a very iffy time of year for weather. In fact, there has been a pretty big storm almost every year I've lived in Lakeside, AZ in late March/early April. You are smart to avoid I-40... I've traveled it from Laughlin, NV to Holbrook, AZ with the road being closed behind me. I even avoid I-40 when traveling between Lakeside, AZ and Albuquerque, NM. (I can give you some info on getting from Texas to the South Rim if you need input.)

While I agree with YVR about the park closures (N. Rim and Cedar Breaks will definitely be closed,) I don't completely agree about the high desert sublimation. I've been on these roads lots of times with snow and ice... both in the forests and out.

I'll help however I can with your plans.

You are aware the north rim of the Grand Canyon NP will be closed?

Yes, I'm aware of that. Honestly, I have no real interest in even seeing the Grand Canyon, but I figure that if I'm in the area, I might as well stop by and give it a gander.

You are smart to avoid I-40...

Oh, my desire in avoiding I-40 is due more to not wanting to travel on the interstate more than any sense of smarts on my part. ;) That being said, traveling on I-40 may be unavoidable.

At the moment, the route is as follows (although it could certainly be done in reverse order):

HOU----> Flagstaff----> South Rim of Grand Canyon (via 64 or 89)---> Zion National Park (via Hwys 89 and 9 through Kanab)---> Bryce Canyon National Park (again, via Hwys 89 and then 12)---> a day trip through Hwy 12 to Torrey and then through Capitol Reef National Park on Hwy 24---> Arches National Park (via Hwy 24, I-70, and Hwy 191) and maybe Canyonlands National Park---> South via Hwys 191 and/or 491 and 551 to I-40 and back to HOU.

Assuming that the weather is dry, do you think that such a route is possible in a week? And if the weather isn't dry, what are the chances that the roads listed would be passable? Although the roads link up the various National Parks nicely, I'm guessing that they aren't exactly major throughfares...

At the moment, the route is as follows (although it could certainly be done in reverse order):

HOU----> Flagstaff----> South Rim of Grand Canyon (via 64 or 89)---> Zion National Park (via Hwys 89 and 9 through Kanab)---> Bryce Canyon National Park (again, via Hwys 89 and then 12)---> a day trip through Hwy 12 to Torrey and then through Capitol Reef National Park on Hwy 24---> Arches National Park (via Hwy 24, I-70, and Hwy 191) and maybe Canyonlands National Park---> South via Hwys 191 and/or 491 and 551 to I-40 and back to HOU.

Assuming that the weather is dry, do you think that such a route is possible in a week?

Are you planning on doing anything more than driving to these places? I can't imagine not spending at least a couple of days each at Zion and Canyonlands and a full day(or more) at each of the others. Spending time "in" the park is what these places are all about. If you just want to drive to/through them, a week is fine.

Granted, you can have the late storm is southern Utah, but any snow at that point is usually at the higher elevations - the main roads are clear. You may see accumulated snow on the west side of Zion as you drive through, but the valley itself is clear. I was there 1st week of March this year and didn't have any problems...except a day of drizzle.;)

Going from the Grand Canyon to Zion, I recommend talking ALT 89 to state highway 389, which passes by Pipe Spring National Monument. Definitely worth a visit. Plus, you then pass through Colorado City, AZ on your way to Zion. You can pick up an extra wife or two there. ;)

http://www.nps.gov/pisp/index.htm

Yes, I'm aware of that. Honestly, I have no real interest in even seeing the Grand Canyon, but I figure that if I'm in the area, I might as well stop by and give it a gander.



Oh, my desire in avoiding I-40 is due more to not wanting to travel on the interstate more than any sense of smarts on my part. ;) That being said, traveling on I-40 may be unavoidable.

At the moment, the route is as follows (although it could certainly be done in reverse order):

HOU----> Flagstaff----> South Rim of Grand Canyon (via 64 or 89)---> Zion National Park (via Hwys 89 and 9 through Kanab)---> Bryce Canyon National Park (again, via Hwys 89 and then 12)---> a day trip through Hwy 12 to Torrey and then through Capitol Reef National Park on Hwy 24---> Arches National Park (via Hwy 24, I-70, and Hwy 191) and maybe Canyonlands National Park---> South via Hwys 191 and/or 491 and 551 to I-40 and back to HOU.

Assuming that the weather is dry, do you think that such a route is possible in a week? And if the weather isn't dry, what are the chances that the roads listed would be passable? Although the roads link up the various National Parks nicely, I'm guessing that they aren't exactly major throughfares...
Is the "and back to HOU" mean that you are driving back to HOU? If you are driving back, you can always route yourself to US60 via 117 & 36 around Grants.

Of these roads, the only I'd be concerned about is 191; I can't remember how "good" that road is during weather.