Summer – June, July and August

 

June

• 

June is the beginning of our hotter temperature seasons.  Hiking on the mountain is starting to have an appeal.  Daytime temperatures in the desert may reach the 90’s, particularly towards the end of the month and nighttime temperatures are often in the 50’s or 60’s.  The snow line has completely melted away, except in heavy snow years when snow may still exist in large patches and in the trees on top of Boulder Mountain.  This is the time of the year to start hikes earlier in the day in order that you are not hiking during the heat of the day.  Hiking is great anywhere.   During June we all anxiously await the rainy season.

• Upper Sonoran Zone – Hiking in the desert and on the slickrock is getting hot.  Early start times is recommended as well as frequent rest stops in shade between the hours of 11:00 am and 4 pm.  Biting black flies are common in the evenings.
• Riparian Zone  – Hiking  the riparian zones is splendid.  The temperatures may be hot but a cool dip in the water will refresh wonderfully.  Biting deer flies are common so long pants are a good idea.
• Transition Zone – Hiking the ponderosas is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat.  Mosquitos may exist near water.
• Canadian Zone – Hiking the aspens is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat.  Mosquitos are plentiful.
• 
Hudsonian Zone – Hiking the mountain top is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat.  Patches of snow are likely.  Mosquitos are plentiful.

Recommended hiking — Take your pick of  Slickrock Hikes, Rim to River Hikes, Riparian Canyon Hikes and Boulder Mountain Hikes. They are all excellent at this time of year, though as summer progresses, an early start for hikes in the desert is a good idea.

July

• 

July is our hottest month and can be our wettest month.  Late June and the most of July temperatures may creep into the 100’s.  In the desert where there is not much water or shade, it becomes important to carry plenty of water and get early starts.  Resting in the shade near a good water source from 11:00 to 4:00 is a great strategy for beating the heat.  Alternatively, head for the mountain.  Mountain temperatures are often 20 degrees cooler and even if it is warmer there is plenty of shade and water.   The rainy season arrives in earnest in July.  Afternoon thunderstorms are quite common and flash floods and lightning strikes become very real hazards.  Check the weather daily and watch the skies for threatening weather.

• Upper Sonoran Zone – Hiking in the desert and on the slickrock is hot.  Early start times is recommended as well as frequent rest stops in shade between the hours of 11:00 am and 4 pm.
• Riparian Zone  – Hiking  the riparian zones is splendid.  The temperatures are  hot but a cool dip in the water will refresh wonderfully.  Be cautious of flash flood dangers as the rainy season arrives.
• Transition Zone – Hiking the ponderosas is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat. Lightening storms are likely and brief.  Be aware of open fields and exposed ridges.  Mosquitos may exist near water.
• 
Canadian Zone – Hiking the aspens is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat.  Lightening storms are likely and brief.  Storms may carry hail.  Be aware of open fields and exposed ridges. Mosquitos are plentiful.
• Hudsonian Zone – Hiking the mountain top is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat. Lightening storms are common.  Storms may carry hail.  Be aware of open fields and exposed ridges. Mosquitos are plentiful.

Recommended hiking — This is the time of the year for the Boulder Mountain Hikes. When considering the Slickrock Hikes, Rim to River Hikes and Riparian Canyon Hikes an early start is highly recommended.

August

• 

August is our special treat.  The daytime temperatures drop considerbly so hiking becomes a true pleasure.  We still have our rainy season, however the frequency of storms is dropping slightly.  It is still important to check the weather daily and watch the skies.  August is the fruiting month for berries on  the mountain.  Late August is when the Aspens may first start to change colors.

• Upper Sonoran Zone – Hiking in the desert and on the slickrock is cooling a bit but still may be hot.  Early start times may be recommended as well as frequent rest stops in shade between the hours of 11:00 am and 4 pm.
• Riparian Zone  – Hiking  the riparian zones is splendid.  The temperatures are  hot but a cool dip in the water will refresh wonderfully.  Be cautious of flash flood dangers as the rainy season continues.
• Transition Zone – Hiking the ponderosas is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat. Lightening storms are likely and brief.  Be aware of open fields and exposed ridges.
• 
Canadian Zone – Hiking the aspens is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat.  Lightening storms are likely and brief.  Be aware of open fields and exposed ridges.  Mosquitos are possible.
• Hudsonian Zone – Hiking the mountain top is splendid.  A great place to beat the desert heat.  Lightening storms are common.

Recommended hiking — The Boulder Mountain Hikes are still an excellent choice. An early start is still a good idea when considering the Slickrock Hikes, Rim to River Hikes   Riparian Canyon Hikes however as the summer winds down this is not as critical.