Visiting from Australia in December and January

Hello all

My wife and I are coming to South West USA late Dec and much of Jan 2016. Our objective is to head to J tree, and Ouray . we also want to head to Moab which has 3 reasons alone for visiting ( climbing, mtn biking and beer).

ideally we would also like some mountain climbing , although at a fairly easy grade (around difficule in Europe grades).Is there anything that won't kill us? Ie. too much snow (avalanches etc).

Is it too cold for Moab? Super keen on Indian creek and the slick rock mountain biking ( Any other info re Moab at this time appreciated)

what about Cochise Stronghold?

I climb solid 5.10/11 on trad or sport but my wife needs easier stuff (say non sustained 5.10) ( I have been to Jtree, the valley and many other places before just not in January)

Regarding Ouray - do we need to book accomodation ahead in early January?

regarding J tree camping- do we need to book ahead ( we will arrive 20 Dec for about a week and over Christmas)
Cheers for the help
jonas

Moab will be cold at night. There may or may not be snow there. If it sunny during the day it will be nice weather for a mountain couple. Check out Wall Street in Potash canyon, it has good climbs for you and your wife based on what you said.

Mtn biking in moab, definitely do slick rock, its uber-noober classic and loads of fun. There is a newish trail head called Klondike Bluffs that is radical and allows you to make as long or short of a ride as you want. Porcupine rim is also a good one, but its not for beginners, more like intermediate.

I visited Cochise in January a few years ago and it was really nice. Chilly at nights but with a camp fire it was nice. There is also a possibility of snow at cochise which would make everything much more difficult.

Mountain climbing at that time of year could be tough. Alternatives: hike at the grand canyon. Also consider a las vegas stop... Red Rock is super cool and has all kinds of climbing.

I will let someone with more knowledge comment on Ouray.

As for J-tree...there are sooooo many old/good threads on Mountain Project about it. Do some research there and you will find way more than you wanted.

For Ouray, it all depends on when you are visting. I'd recommend weekdays if possible and then you may not have too much trouble getting lodging. The weekends can be pretty busy down there, especially New Years and the ice festival, which 8-11 January this year. My crew already booked our place for New Years. Just to be safe, I'd book early. The Comfort Inn is good if you want to walk to everything, and still be cheap, plus free hotel breakfast. If cheap is the name of the game, there are the Riverside Cabins, but you have to drive to the park. VBRO also has nicer rentals more like condos.

Mountain-wise, there is stuff to climb around there, but avalanche conditions here are tricky, so you can pretty much plan on ridge slogs. At least that's what I do, but my risk tolerance is low.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks guys

Unfortunately my wife says we have already spent way too much time in red rocks or I would be there.

Regarding the ridge slogs - I don't mind those. Any suggestions?

Cheers guys
J