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+--- Thread: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather (/showthread.php?tid=26148)
Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - jkpaulsen - 2022-12-30
I've been to Death Valley in great weather when there's no rain danger. I've been when there are storms and I definitely wanted to stay out of the canyons. But I've not been when scattered showers are in the forecast, which is what's showing for my trip next week. I'm still building my desert-hiking chops, so I hope all the experts on this forum can help me and other readers learn. At what point does one say "nope" and scratch a canyon hike? When there's a flash flood warning? When there are dark clouds in the sky?
I had planned to spend a couple of days exploring Trail Canyon. While the drainage area is pretty large, most of the canyons seem relatively wide open. I've noted a few high spots to pitch camp so as to stay out of any potential floods. Am I a fool to be heading out there with showers in the forecast? Or could this be a manageable situation with reasonable precautions taken?
Do you have any other tips or advice for light rain days? Are there resources somewhere online I can check out to learn more? (Searching Death Valley and rain on Google just brings me pages and pages of news articles about the floods this Summer.)
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge.
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - DVexile - 2022-12-30
In general what you care about are storms that drop a lot over a drainage in a relatively short period of time - so basically thunderstorms. Winter Pacific storms rarely have thunderstorms or high rainfall rates so no issue. The general winter weather pattern of storms coming from the west to northwest means most moisture is lost to the Sierra. It tends to be summer and fall storms where the moisture has come from the south where you get thunderstorms and flooding.
Probably the bigger issue is underestimating just how cold a winter shower in the desert, especially further up a canyon at a few thousand feet, can be. Make sure you have appropriate clothing.
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - jkpaulsen - 2022-12-30
Thanks, DVexile. That's really helpful.
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - DAW89446 - 2022-12-30
DV was my backyard for decades and I’ve been there in all weather. But I’m not a canyoneer. As mentioned, winter rains tend to be more showery in the valley, but can increase with altitude. With more altitude rain turns to snow. Many would be surprise at how much snow the park does get.
To answer your question, DV during winter is magical. I’d recommend it. But as for me, I would stay out of slot canyons that are long. And keep an eye on the source of those slot canyons. The head of the canyon might simply be in a misty cloud. It also might be raining up there.
I doubt that with common sense you will have an issue. But nature is fickle and throws a curveball or two at us.
Enjoy your visit.
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - MojaveGeek - 2022-12-30
To amplify DAW's comments, Trail is not a slot canyon. Yes, it is wise to not camp on the bottom of the wash. You may get some water flow but unlikely to be a real flood. Though to recognize that the peaks above the end of the canyon are pretty high and will catch moisture. Even "showers" can be pretty wet and sometimes yield thunder (thinking of some I have been in in March, which is admittedly a bit later. The main issue is more likely hypothermia so make sure you have adequate gear to stay warm and dry.
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - Daymoth - 2022-12-30
Im looking at saturday night and its enough for me to be reconsidering were to sleep.
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - DVexile - 2022-12-31
Another thing to consider is if there is any climbing or scrambling involved. Going up a canyon that’s easy dry can be problematic going down when wet. Not really an issue in Trail Canyon, but if showers are forecast always take time to imagine down climbing that obstacle when slippery!
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - jkpaulsen - 2022-12-31
Thanks, all. This gives me a lot to consider. Other than Trail, I do have some day hikes into a couple of slots on the itinerary. I suppose if I nope those hikes, that's just more reason to come back again soon!
One of my hiking companions swears that it never rains when he hikes, so maybe this will all be moot anyway.
RE: Staying Safe in Rainy Weather - DAW89446 - 2022-12-31
If the atmospheric river causes any steady rains, rockfalls may pose an issue.