Zion in November

[DiscGo]

What is Zion like in November for Canyoneering? I am planning on going next weekend but one of the other couples going with us just asked if we could reschedule for November. I'm trying to figure out if November is too cold to do a canyon like Pine Creek? And if I should go do Pine Creek next week before it is freezing and do a drier canyon in November. Thoughts?

[Scott P]

Pine Creek is sometimes done in winter, so it can be done with proper gear (which you can rent in Springdale).

Behunin is typically drier and faces south, but it's much longer.

There are lots of good non-technical hikes in Zion in November.

[peakbaggers]

With the shorter daylight hours, Behunin could be more of a problem if you're a slower moving group. You could also consider some of the out-of-park canyons like Yankee Doodle, Boltergeist, etc. Those are good half day types and there's more like that on the east side of the park around Carmel, etc. Jolly Gulch is short and you could probably do Birch if it hasn't snowed heavily up on the approach road. Spry is also a shorter route but at that time, depending on water conditions, you may want to be prepared much like you would for Pine.

[tcott]

If you are properly geared up, pinecreek is a blast in the winter. You need a fast moving group, lots of thermal protection, and a little bit of crazy. I generally use a 6mm hooded semi-dry wetsuit, new 5mm socks (no leaks on a new pair), 1.5mm sealed neo gloves under my rap gloves. Make sure you take a video camera to document failed attempts to crawl across the ice without breaking it. :haha:

[burley]

If you are properly geared up, pinecreek is a blast in the winter. :haha:

Agreed! http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?62059-Pine-Creek

X2 on Yankee Doodle, Boltergiest, and Birch in colder conditions.

[tcott]

We turned keyhole into a three hour trip 1/1/11.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.168281129882848.39340.100001028871500&type=3
(sorry to non-facebook users, it's the only place I have the pictures posted)