When to climb in Zion after a snowfall?

Does anyone know how long after a snowfall in Zion it usually takes to completely dry out? A few days, a week, several weeks?

I understand the rock at Zion is sandstone and needs to be completely dry to be safe to climb. A rainfall I know takes about 2 or so days to wait to climb, but I’m curious about snow. I was planning to climb at Crazy Quilt Mesa (right next door to Checkerboard Mesa) about a week after the last day of a current projected snowfall, but want to make sure that’s long enough for it to dry out or if needs way more time.

If anyone has any insight it is greatly appreciated!

Hey Suzie, 

Thanks for reaching out,

In my experience here the answer is very often "it depends", I know this is never an answer that answers anything but, I'll elaborate. 

More important than how much time you need to wait will be what was the precipitation event like? what type (snow,rain)? how much? how long? How warm will it be in the days after? From there you can start feeling out how soon climbing may be reasonable on a certain aspect. 

 All of that to say, Best option will be to wait and see what this storm does before committing to any plans to climb on the Zion East side.

 Generally speaking the East side of Zion is higher, and often receives more snowfall. The forecast currently shows that there will be new snow, how much and when often changes even up the day of around here. 

If there is significant snowfall, the next consideration would be what aspect you are trying to climb. In general your sunny aspects will eventually dry out, more at lower elevations (Springdale, St, George) than on the East side. Depending on the amount of snow, it could be a few days or weeks, It's not uncommon for North Aspects to be "out of season" for the entire winter depending on how wet it is. 

Many types of rock (Basalt, Limestone) that can be climbed after the rain in Southern Utah too. 

Happy to talk more, hope this rambling helps

I'm just one data point, I'm sure others on here will have some salient input as well. There are many nice and switched on folks out here. 

Best of luck

Specifically to your intended route:

The route on Crazy Quilt is north facing, so it will likely be wet for a while, unfortunately.

Also, snow settles in those cracks on the East side, so even if the uncovered rock is dry, the cracks may be filled with snow if it stays cold. I was on the east side about a week ago, and there was snow in cracks on anything north facing.

Led by Sheep is similar, and on a much sunnier aspect, if you're looking for alternatives.

Thank you both so much for your replies! I was planning on doing Crazy Streak, so thank you for the insight on the east side and how it holds snow for quite awhile. I may have to hold off on that climb until spring.

I’ll look into Led By Sheep as an alternative. I’m thinking that there’s no way Crazy Streak will be dry one week after the upcoming snow storms.

I would definitely agree with these fine folks as to the east side conditions after precipitation, specifically snow. I’ve done both routes mentioned here and led by sheep is a fine route for its worth. Crazy streak may clean up well over time but it certainly is of a less quality rock than led by sheep. Both are very run out if one is leading at that grade limit just as a heads up. That being said, I believe the bolting is perfect for both, as Zion is not for the feint of heart.  Also just wanted to point out snow canyon as an alternative to climbing in the park. There are plenty of sport/mixed routes around that grade and style. Hope that helps. 

Would everyone say that the best time to try to climb Crazy Streak would be several months down the line, like April?  I emailed Zion National Park's general information line inquiring about the weather and they said they don't feel Crazy Quilt Mesa would be climbable until spring in terms of snow and wetness being completely gone.  As much as that bums me out, I'd rather know that now and plan a trip for spring than get our hopes up that maybe a few weeks of dry weather after this storm would do the trick.  Any thoughts on this?

Thank you again to everyone who has contributed thus far, your opinions are helping us a ton to plan for the optimal time to do this climb!

Suzie Weiswrote:

(1) Would everyone say that the best time to try to climb Crazy Streak would be several months down the line, like April?  (2) I emailed Zion National Park's general information line inquiring about the weather and they said they don't feel Crazy Quilt Mesa would be climbable until spring in terms of snow and wetness being completely gone.  (3) As much as that bums me out, I'd rather know that now and plan a trip for spring than get our hopes up that maybe a few weeks of dry weather after this storm would do the trick.  Any thoughts on this?

Thank you again to everyone who has contributed thus far, your opinions are helping us a ton to plan for the optimal time to do this climb!

(1) Totally, April and even May would be good. 

(2) That's accurate, it will totally depend on how the winter continues. When you write them, they have a talented and knowledgeable crew of climbers on staff that they are sourcing those questions too.

(3) See how the Zion winter plays out, big snow year, later spring climbing season on the East side, not so big, maybe earlier season. Typically UT gets snow in significant amounts March-April, all just depends on the year. 

Hope this helps, 

Best, 

Steffan Gregorywrote:

(1) Totally, April and even May would be good. 

(2) That's accurate, it will totally depend on how the winter continues. When you write them, they have a talented and knowledgeable crew of climbers on staff that they are sourcing those questions too.

(3) See how the Zion winter plays out, big snow year, later spring climbing season on the East side, not so big, maybe earlier season. Typically UT gets snow in significant amounts March-April, all just depends on the year. 

Hope this helps, 

Best, 

Thank you Steffan!  Truly invaluable information, we appreciate this.  We will now aim to do Crazy Streak in late April or May now.

No problem! Happy to help!