City of Rocks in May??

It's 50 at this moment, and certainly has the feel of an early spring this year.

I realize it's wildly variable, but I'm wondering about temps for a trip to City in early to mid May? I know a normal year would be freezing at night, but does City warm up enough if you chase sun that time of year? I'd like to beat the June rush, as I likely would have to go on a weekend.

I've been in Idaho since 1980, so I understand the 6000-6500 mountain weather, but City is it's own thing, it seems. My comfort level rock climbing is above 40, sun, no wind. That's about where I can climb without losing my fingers to cold. A little lower temp, on our local basalt, but I'd expect city to not warm as much as here.

Thanks! Helen

It could be pleasant.

It could be too cold.

It could be rainy.

It could be sunny.

Hard to predict the weather, eh?

About five days before your trip, you can get a more accurate forecast.

Note that I've never been there before.

FrankPS wrote: It could be pleasant.

It could be too cold.

It could be rainy.

It could be sunny.

Hard to predict the weather, eh?

About five days before your trip, you can get a more accurate forecast.

Note that I've never been there before.

It's stunning, Frank! But, even more so than our mountains, City is it's own little weather magnet. It is one of those places to watch the sky, and bail, quick, before the wind sends you out of state. I'm looking for opinion on chancing it that early from those with City experience. Im also not sure how the rock there warms up. Our black basalt isn't  typical. Even forecasts don't mean squat, often enough. I'm sure you likely have a local version of this where you are, places where experienced locals can guess better than it can be predicted.

Come up sometime, and see it in person, sir!

Good to hear from you, sir. Best, Helen

EDIT to add: Frank, in a "normal" year (does that exist anymore) the snow might not be melted off in early May, at 6500', and a good possibility for more snow all of May.

I usually hit the City in mid May and it's sometimes iffy because, as you said, the place is it's own vortex of weather.  

Usually gtg though.  

I've been there as early as late April and had good weather.  On the other hand I've had snow in June, but that day Castle Rocks was OK in the afternoon.  This year our mostly seniors group will be there Jume 17-26.  Big group, multiple campsites.  Always room for another tent or two.  PM me if you'd like more details.

My first visit to the City was in mid Feb 2016.  If we couldnt climb I was just going to call it a recon mission.  We ended up climbing both days we were there.  Granted it wasnt until noon but we chased the sun and were fine.  Roads were all passable to boot.  Went there in April 2017 and could hardly drive in the place and wallowed in knee high snow to the starts of routes.  So yup..... depends!

Edit:  Im sure I'll get the itch to visit the city before your planned visit.  I'll try to keep you posted if I can remember.  Others will probably have first hand info by then anway.

Old lady H wrote: It's 50 at this moment, and certainly has the feel of an early spring this year.

Hmm.  Not sure about that.  Have you seen their FB page?  Over a foot of snow everywhere and drifts to 4 feet.  Looks like winter up there.

That said, May is usually great.  Hit or miss on any given day, but, typically very climbable.  And, there's always the option to drop down to the much warmer and protected Castle Rocks.

Brian in SLC wrote:

Hmm.  Not sure about that.  Have you seen their FB page?  Over a foot of snow everywhere and drifts to 4 feet.  Looks like winter up there.

That said, May is usually great.  Hit or miss on any given day, but, typically very climbable.  And, there's always the option to drop down to the much warmer and protected Castle Rocks.

Lol! Boise is at 2500', City is 6500'. We are starting our climbing season now, apparently. 50 again today, or close enough. Snow for the skiers (and water for the summer), up at elevation, bluebird skies here. Temps dipping back into the forties, this week coming up, oh horrors!

This really is early. February, sure, we often have a nice stretch, but January?

Year before last, my first trip to Castle, in September, we woke to snow. Same thing for camping trips in May, for all of our 6,000+ country. I totally get that possibility.

Thanks all! Don't know which way I'll be going, City or Smith, but a trip in May looks likely.

Thanks, all! I'll decide when I'm close, but it's good to know City could be in the mix too.

Best, Helen

I went in mid April a couple years ago and it was dumping snow Friday night when we arrived. It was cold in the low 20's in the tent and we had 2" or so of snow when I woke up. Saturday warmed up to the high 40's or low 50's and it was sunny all day. I was climbing in the sun in a tshirt and sweating. Then Sunday it was overcast and cold. It starting snowing on us again midday so we grabbed pizza at Rock City and headed home. All this to say. It could be awesome, or it could be a bust. I've never had a trip to the city without some precipitation and usually at least half a day of climbing ruined because of it. Late summer and early fall seem to be the best times to visit, but then you can barely find a campsite and wait in line at all the classics.

Just check the forecast immediately prior to ensure you'll have a few dry days that aren't too frigid. As long as you aren't too disappointed if you spend at least a portion of your trip huddling under the rocks instead of climbing on them, I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Last time I was in the City was late May, and it still rained. But we got some good climbing in as well.

Ryan Pfleger wrote: Just check the forecast immediately prior to ensure you'll have a few dry days that aren't too frigid. As long as you aren't too disappointed if you spend at least a portion of your trip huddling under the rocks instead of climbing on them, I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Last time I was in the City was late May, and it still rained. But we got some good climbing in as well.

Lol! Great photo! Yeah, I'm in Boise....since 1980. I do understand checking the weather, and jumping when it looks good. And to pack for everything, even in "summer" at 6000+ feet.The same thing, watching it like a hawk and pouncing, means I got out on rock locally 3 times in January, this year! 

See, the other answer, is to go as often as I can!

Best, Helen

A couple of years ago I was climbing in the city in February and it was absolutely beautiful, but I've also been rained/snowed out in the beginning of September, so you really never know.

Old lady H wrote:

Lol! Great photo! Yeah, I'm in Boise....since 1980. I do understand checking the weather, and jumping when it looks good. And to pack for everything, even in "summer" at 6000+ feet.The same thing, watching it like a hawk and pouncing, means I got out on rock locally 3 times in January, this year! 

See, the other answer, is to go as often as I can!

Best, Helen

Good for you! January climbing at the Black Cliffs can be nice! Better than climbing there in July in my experience! I lived in Boise from 1978 to 2017, and am moving back in August, so I guess we can call that one a draw. 

Ryan Pfleger wrote:

Good for you! January climbing at the Black Cliffs can be nice! Better than climbing there in July in my experience! I lived in Boise from 1978 to 2017, and am moving back in August, so I guess we can call that one a draw. 

Ah! Well, if an old lady will do, and you're feeling brave, ya got some belays! 

EDIT to add: Black Cliffs, but Swan Falls, too! It's warmer, if any sun is available, and it isn't windy. Yes, I am a pad person also. We are below norm, now, so back to the gym, tomorrow! Snow in the forecast, but we'll see. Doesn't smell like it...yet.

Best, H.

Ken Noyce wrote: A couple of years ago I was climbing in the city in February and it was absolutely beautiful, but I've also been rained/snowed out in the beginning of September, so you really never know.

I got snowed on, trip two (September). Trip one, died in the heat (August). Last time (September again) a huge windstorm blasted through, like, hard to drive huge. It's not even like the mountains here, that part of Idaho is a real funnel for weather. I have to say, though, it does make a photogenic place even more beautiful. They've posted so many gorgeous shots on Facebook, lately, with weather rolling through. 

Part of the considerable charm, IMO. The unpredictable wildness of these places we love.

Best, Helen

It’s a magical place indeed.
I’ll mirror all of the above comments.

3-4 years ago, I went in March. The weather was immaculate, and had probably one of the best City trips of all time! No one there, it was a ghost town. Been up there in late April, and got caught in one of the gnarliest T-storms ever. Been snowed on in May as well. Then in July/August, it’s an oven.
This year, it’s been a good snow year, at least in Northern Utah. Similar patters hit the City. Brian said the FB page is revealing some snowpack, so it might be there for a while, especially with more coming in the region this week. I keep waiting for the January/February thaw like we’ve had the last few years for good rock weather, but this year it’s been non existent. 
If you can time it up with a longish warm spell, we might get some snow melt and you can climb up there earlier than May. The chances are May will be good to go. However...

I've got two Friday-Monday dates reserved, mid May, and the very end of May/early June. Boy, the camping for the first was going down while I was trying to reserve spots!

I'm hoping to get over there several times this season, depending on how things go with work and other "adulthood sucks" impediments. Once my out of town climbing partner gets a taste for the place, I have a feeling he will be amenable to some more visits!

Thanks again for the encouragement. It seems we are now having January here.

Best, Helen

We go every May. Usually the weekend before Memorial day. 15th-19th this year. Join us if you like, at the very least for the party on Saturday evening.
jb
:-)

John Butler wrote: We go every May. Usually the weekend before Memorial day. 15th-19th this year. Join us if you like, at the very least for the party on Saturday evening.
jb
:-)

Oooo! If I go that weekend, you're on! 

Best, Helen