Lower Antelope Canyon
Page, Arizona
Monday, June 11, 2018
Clear, 95°
“The breathtaking beauty and splendor of Lower Antelope Canyon definitely cannot be captured in lenses or words.”
I first saw pictures of Antelope Canyon when I was doing research for this adventure. I had traveled the Southwestern part of the country many times but had never been close to this part of Arizona. Looking at the itinerary, it was time to add another day and slightly change the route a bit to make a stop at Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. It did not disappoint at either location.
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is on Navajo land, just to the east of Page, Arizona. There are two separate Canyons that make up “Antelope Canyon”. The two separate, scenic slot canyon sections are several miles apart. Individually, they are referred to as "Upper Antelope Canyon" called "The Crack" and "Lower Antelope Canyon" called "The Corkscrew".
The Navajo name for Lower Antelope Canyon is Hasdeztwazi or “Spiral Rock Arches.” Many years ago, herds of Pronghorn Antelope roamed freely in and around the canyon, which explains the English name. This incredible canyon has been created over millions of years by the relentless forces of water and wind, slowly carving and sculpting the sandstone into forms, textures, and shapes which we observe today.
The views are constantly changing in Lower Antelope Canyon as the sun moves across the sky, filtering light softly across the stone walls. These ever-moving sun angles bounce light back and forth across the narrow canyon’s walls, creating a dazzling display of color, light, and shadow. The Lower Canyon is all about colors while the Upper Canyon is about beams of light coming down through the slot creating different effects with light and shadow.
Shadow colors
Driving into town, the Waze app on my phone was telling me there were several miles to go but every few miles there was a sign and group of cars for “Antelope Canyon Tours”. I drove by the first one, then another, and another until I quit looking and continued to trust that Siri voice telling me where to go, turn here and you have reached your destination, Ken’s Tours @ Lower Antelope Canyon.
Arriving at mid-day, I knew from my research that it was not the right time to go so I booked the last tour of the day at 5:00 in the afternoon. The colors would be brighter and stronger at that time of day. I checked into the campground close-by and waited for the tour time. It was the right decision to wait as the colors were astounding to see. The photos do not really do the canyon justice as they only capture a part of the vibrancy and hues.
The tour at Ken’s is on site where you walk about one third of a mile across red sand and sandstone to the entrance of the canyon. Everyone is given instructions: stay together, no picture taking on any steps, ladders, or platform as you descend into the canyon or ascend out at the other end. Otherwise, take all the photos you want, but do not hold up others behind you.
From the mesa top, there are metal staircases bolted to the sandstone rock (six in all) with platforms that change direction or lead to another passage and descend further to the Canyon floor. It was a 120 foot decent from the top of the entrance to the base of the canyon.
Once down, you are in a small chamber that is in shadow so there are no strong colors to see. I heard several people comment, “Is this the right tour to take?” As we started making our way through the depths of the Canyon, twisting and turning from this chamber to the next, sunlight started bouncing off the canyon walls bringing out the very vibrant colors. The sandstone rocks reflected mainly reds and oranges but the areas in shadow had beautiful blue and purple hues.
Shadow Hues
Water and wind have carved ridges and grooves in the soft sandstone enhancing the textures with the beautiful colors that play off the different sides of the canyon walls. There were several arches deep in the canyon.
Arch colors
One rock formation looks like the head of an eagle.
Eagle head
Windswept Woman
Another could be a buffalo head.
As you walk through the canyon, it constantly climbs over the almost half mile long cut in the earth. About half way through the guide told everyone, “This is the belly button of the Navajo People's Creation.”
Navajo Belly Button in the Canyon
A piece of sagebrush had blown in through a crevice in the top and landed on a rock ledge, it was neat to see but looked so out of place.
Sagebrush on Ledge
Its white color was a stark contrast against the reddish/orange of the sandstone.
An Indian chief with a headdress was another formation in the wind swept rocks.
Indian head with headdress
There was an image of a seahorse in the open space between two rocks. It was hard for me to see many of these features because I was fascinated with the play of light, shadow and colors on the walls.
Seahorse
It is a must see for your “things to do list” as my words and photos do not really capture what the eyes see and the brain comprehends. The different tours for the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon give one many options with in your photography. The light beams play with your senses in the Upper Canyon while the colors blow you away in the Lower one. I think all of the tour operators charge $40 for the tour and there is an $8 Navajo Nation “user fee” added to the cost of each person.
From a little slice of Heaven in Northwest Arizona, Traveling Life’s Highways, Goodbye!