By early May, the canyon is warm but not yet desperately hot. Still, we were glad that most of our campsites were shady. Within another two weeks, the river would rise another six feet and obliterate most of our campsites. It would also be much hotter by then. May. Initially, the river is low with interesting meanders and many campsites.
Temperatures are nice for paddling and hiking but the water is cold.
In early May, the river rises, many campsites disappear and the journey gets straighter. By the middle of May, the river has filled much of the valley and camping becomes difficult. It also gets hot. Come July, the water is much lower and getting warmer but the air-temperatures have reached unbearable levels. Everybody warns of this period, yet it attracts the masses.