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How is Joshua tree in late fall?

Original Post
Carlisle DiValentin · · Atlanta · Joined Nov 2020 · Points: 5

I’m thinking of going to Jtree in late November but am worried about it being too cold? What are the day and night temps like during this time of year? I was there last year around the beginning of October and thought the temps were great. Is there a sever drop off between the two months or is the desert heat pretty sustained into late November?

RAZORsharp · · CA · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 780

Most people seek out those winter temperatures in Jtree for the friction, as most routes are exposed to full sun exposure all day. You could climb on things that get full sun and be warm, go around the shaded side of the same formation and be bundled up in a down jacket and beanie. I'd imagine you'd need some sort of cold weather gear, but again, its all relative to what the weather is doing. 

Matt N · · CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 425

Perfect to miserable - somewhere in that range. Likely crowded either way.

Sam Cieply · · Venice, CA · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 25

It's an excellent time to climb in the park, can get really cold at night and sometimes very windy.

Bill Lawry · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 1,812

Ice in a shaded cooler lasts much longer.

Carey De Luca · · Yucca Valley, Ca · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 25

November is pretty perfect. Colder days you chase sun or climb at Indian Cove. 

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

Thread follow-up: How is it in late October? Perfect, or still a bit hot? Basically, if you could choose:

Mid-October

Late October

Early November

Mid November

Which would you choose? Weather is of course always a gamble, but which is the best gamble?

x15x15 · · Use Ignore Button · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 275

Hmmmm, no choice is bad. Tis the season in JT

plantmandan · · Rice Lake, WI · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 95
JCM wrote:

Thread follow-up: How is it in late October? Perfect, or still a bit hot? Basically, if you could choose:

Mid-October

Late October

Early November

Mid November

Which would you choose? Weather is of course always a gamble, but which is the best gamble?

I’ll take mid October. I have gone there in early to mid October nearly every year for the last decade. It’s a blast, always. I was there for an epic thunderstorm that caused some damage to the area in 2018, but the weather is usually stable and clear. It can be hot or mild during the day, but it’s usually hot. Not a problem, you can climb in the morning or in the shade. There is plenty of shade. I also like exploring at night, which is better when the weather is warm. A partly cloudy night under a full moon in the park is just magical.

None of those options are bad, though. It’s still J Tree. The nights are just a bit long in November compared to October. It’s easy to be out of firewood by 8pm.

Matt Himmelstein · · Orange, CA · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 194
JCM wrote:

Thread follow-up: How is it in late October? Perfect, or still a bit hot? Basically, if you could choose:

Mid-October

Late October

Early November

Mid November

Which would you choose? Weather is of course always a gamble, but which is the best gamble?

I am a 2 hour drive away, so I can pick and choose the weather on the day and decide if I am going to go or not.  With you travelling a fair bit (I assume), you don't get the luxury.  But I have been snowed on and rained on out there, as well as having had mild and lovely days into June.  In general. fall is nice.  But it can be cold, hot, windy, or wet, and it is tough to accurately predict from far out.

I would not worry too much about it though. Mid and late October will give you more hours of light, so if I had to pick, I would opt for those. If it is really hot, you can either chase the shade or bail on JTree and go up to the Tahquitz (or elsewhere). If it is cold, windy and wet you can see if there are other options in the area that are dryer or warmer. As of now, the weather in mid October looks great, plus you will get an hour more light than in November.

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115
Matt Himmelstein wrote:

I am a 2 hour drive away, so I can pick and choose the weather on the day and decide if I am going to go or not.  With you travelling a fair bit (I assume), you don't get the luxury.  But I have been snowed on and rained on out there, as well as having had mild and lovely days into June.  In general. fall is nice.  But it can be cold, hot, windy, or wet, and it is tough to accurately predict from far out.

I would not worry too much about it though. Mid and late October will give you more hours of light, so if I had to pick, I would opt for those. If it is really hot, you can either chase the shade or bail on JTree and go up to the Tahquitz (or elsewhere). If it is cold, windy and wet you can see if there are other options in the area that are dryer or warmer. As of now, the weather in mid October looks great, plus you will get an hour more light than in November.

Oh dear god, do not cite those long range AccuWeather forecasts. It's a trash company and any claims of daily weather forecasting beyond 10 days (other than just citing climatology) are a load of BS.

Otherwise, this all makes sense - thanks for this info. Sounds like late October is generally pretty good? Extra daylight is helpful. And good point that if it's too hot in JTree you have the option to bail to Idy, or up north to the Eastside. Whereas if it's too cold in JTree there arent as many contingency options.

Matt Himmelstein · · Orange, CA · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 194
JCM wrote:

Oh dear god, do not cite those long range AccuWeather forecasts. It's a trash company and any claims of daily weather forecasting beyond 10 days (other than just citing climatology) are a load of BS.

Otherwise, this all makes sense - thanks for this info. Sounds like late October is generally pretty good? Extra daylight is helpful. And good point that if it's too hot in JTree you have the option to bail to Idy, or up north to the Eastside. Whereas if it's too cold in JTree there arent as many contingency options.

:Long range forecasts are terrible regardless of who is providing them.  But this far out, you go with the data you can find and hope for the best, and think about alternatives if things go sideways.

jt newgard · · San Diego, CA · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 446

"How is Joshua tree in late fall?"

Pure heaven, my friend ............

Folks coming from cross country are often surprised how cold it is at nights. The dry clear desert sky sheds heat quick. I wear a giant poofy jacket around the campground these days. Just make sure it doesn't get snagged on the pesky cats claws :)

x15x15 · · Use Ignore Button · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 275

Anyone else going to have awesome campfires? Great way to meet fellow climbers and share stories during the long, dark, and cold night at JT...

Atlas Bushybeard · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2021 · Points: 0
x15x15 wrote:

Anyone else going to have awesome campfires? Great way to meet fellow climbers and share stories during the long, dark, and cold night at JT...

Not til they lift the fire ban lol

https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

jt newgard · · San Diego, CA · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 446

No campfires?? Looks like we'll just have to Rip Van Winkle it, 4-hour dirtbag breakfast in the morning, climb the single scariest pitch you can find then do it all over again!! 

David Katz · · Calabasas, CA · Joined Jan 2020 · Points: 956

The leaves turn brown

R E R · · Southern California · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 4,947

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern California
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