Hello, Fellow Riders,
I am planning to ride my 2016 FLSTC to Arches National Park, UT from Austin, TX in Dec. 13th Dec is probably a time frame I am looking at.
wanna know if anyone has ridden in Dec to Utah? Also, any recommendations on Gear, routes, and safety measures are appreciated.
This will be my 1st long ride so something to consider.

Thanks in Advance...

 

Much of Arches NP is about 5000’ and the average daytime high is in the 40s in December. Low temps are in the 20s. Check the climate data in the link below. Also, my experience in West Texas in December has been a real crap shoot in December. Mostly crap. I suppose if you snaked your way out of Texas through Big Bend and closely watched your weather going north you might get to Moab. More promising, after Big Bend head to southern Arizona and California. Maybe target Joshua Tree and then head back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arches_National_Park

 

I go to Florida every December. Why, because it is the one place that is warm, no ice and no snow. I’ve been to Utah skiing in January and cannot imagine December being any better.

 

Trying to figure out the route you plan to take to stay out of the possibility of snow.

 

Good luck and keep us posted on the route you select. I hope it works out well for you. Maybe Globull warming will kick in for you also.

Just a quick Google search for the December weather shows 41 degree highs and 20 degree lows for Arches.

 

Have you ever been to Arches?
Take your hiking shoes, as most of the great things to see require you to walk from where you park down some trails and paths. I was not impressed by Arches and I found Monument Valley AZ much more impressive.

 

+1

 

For the OP's sake, since he has not been to Arches ............. the pictures above are from Natural Bridges, not Arches.

And I agree, Monument Valley is more impressive.

 

I am planning the route this way
Austin -> Lubbock -> Albuquerque -> Arches National Park.. They are all 6 hrs drive from each other.

 

I have never been to Arches but chose this place coz one of my friend is gonna ride from California, and we decided to meet in the middle.
Have been to Grand Canyon, Zion so thought this would a place. But thanks for the recommendation, will look into it.