Moab in July

[Sw00per]

I have a few days off and plan to drive to Moab for the first time on or about the 15th. Just posting here to see if anyone else is going to be there at this time.

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[jeepers29]

Prepare for the heat.

 

[Zachanadandy]

We've been in July and August. Yes it's hot, but the Jeep has AC so it was great both times even on the 104⁰ days. If you're camping I suggest Warner lake campground. It's a bit of a drive from town but it's high enough elevation that it's not hot.

 

[Camaroboi13]

You’ll be about 6 weeks ahead of me. I’ll be there August 26-30.

 

[Rusty PW]

Moab in July is like living 2 blocks from the sun. Drink plenty of water. Enjoy your time there.

 

[Jefe1018]

I’d join you, but I already live in hell June, July, August and half of September.

 

[Sw00per]

Prepare for the heat.

I have spent lots of Summers in The PHX metro area... 120 per day 7 days straight.... H20, sunscreen, and common sense. Not optimal but it might be my last chance for a long time.

 

[Lunentucker]

Bonus points if you get Rory to weld something back or replace an axle shaft in the dirt.

 

[Blade1668]

If you do some of us want to know what the bill is too.
I'm planning on being in the sauna state around then Florida, if things work out.... need to get back in the water. Dang sure need to after trying to get all my scuba gear ready.

 

[SoK66]

Brutal…..all advice re water is well given, being on the red rocks is like being in a skillet. A good time to head into the La Sals. That’s what the locals do.

 

[wildtaco]

Oh come on, you guys are exaggerating, it's not THAT bad. I was there last year late July-early August and it was fine. Vegas on the other hand, was B R U T A L.

 

[cybercat]

Just look for one of these.

 

[Sweetums]

Moab guide from a local: Don't go to Moab in the summer. If you absolutely have to go to Moab in the summer:

• Shade is life. Bring an awning or EZup you can set up quickly for lunch or other stops and use it. The town is at 4,000+ feet of elevation and many of the trails are above that. If you are not used to high elevation, even this moderate elevation can be brutal; there's a lot less atmosphere between you and the sun.
  • Consider night-wheeling to beat the sun and heat if you have the lighting for it.
• Get up early, I mean pre-dawn early to get to the trail at first light; plan to be off the trail no later than noon. Go back to your hotel, sit in the pool, drink a beer, take a nap and then maybe go out again in the evening. Noon until 6 PM is unbearably hot and the sun is punishing.
• Wear lightweight breathable long pants and long sleeves with a wide-brim hat, keeping the heat and sun out is way more important at this level than shorts and tank tops.
• Bare minimum is one gallon of water per person, per day. The military found that in desert conditions while rucking or doing hard work, a soldier needs one gallon of water per hour. You are going to a place that is so dry that your sandwich bread will be stale before you can finish eating it (no, I'm not kidding, try it).

• If you are going into Arches National Park you need to get there very early and have a park reservation. The park will line up at the gate and they will eventually close to manage the crowds.​
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and how to treat them. Remember that dehydration and heat stroke are not the same! It's possible to have heat stroke while being hydrated.​
• Moab trails are a community, others will likely stop and offer aid if you are in trouble, but be prepared to self-rescue. Also, please check on others who appear to be in distress, a hood being up means I will always stop and check on someone. Remember all that water you packed? Not everyone does, be prepared to offer any extra water you can to hikers, cyclists, or anyone else. I start every conversation with "Hey, do you have enough water?"​
• Familiarize yourself with cryptobiotic soil and don't bust the crust. It's vital to the desert ecosystem to leave the soil undisturbed. That means you keep your feet, pets, kids, and tires on the trail at all times. If you do feel the need to leave the trail (well, first is don't do that), do so only by stepping on the stone or in sandy wash areas.​
• Don't poop in the desert. Seriously, it's disgusting and poop takes forever to break down, it just kind of turns into a Turd Mummy. No one wants to be the one to find that and no matter how alone you think you are, someone will likely stumble upon that shit by the end of the day. Bring wag-bags if you think it will be a problem for your group and carry out all trash and other waste. Also, don't litter anything, even stuff like apple cores that are biodegradable desiccate quickly and become the mummy version of themselves.​

 

[Fpolanco]

I was in Moab last July. It was the dumbest thing I've ever done. Who tf goes to a desert in July?

Would I do it again? F yeah I would!!! With one MAJOR change.

The group I was with liked to sleep in a bit and take their time. We didn't leave the campground until 830 or 9. After getting to the trailhead and airing down, it was close to 10am. We were riding in the worst of the heat.

My advice: get to the trailhead early. Whatever is early for you, get there 30 min before that.

Oh yeah, that flow chart is spot on. If you think you have enough water, bring more!

 

[Sw00per]

All great advice... I have seen several guys go down in 120+ heat. The skinny always go first... I recall this one guy the medics could not get a vein it was tough to watch this guy suffer. Lucky for him a a medevac arrived and this 04 saved the day.

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