Grand Circle Utah - Antelope Canyon X

 This is my third visit to the Antelope Canyon area.  The main reason for this repeat visit is the "new" Canyon X, likely opened to ease some of the heavy traffic in the Upper and Lower Antelope.  As I recall when I visited in 2022, we were rushed through the two canyons because of the tight schedule and there weren't really time to enjoy the canyons.  So the big attraction for me this time was the Photographer's Tour which allowed us three hours in the canyon so we could take our time photographing it, with tripod and all, something that would have been impossible to do in the main canyons.  A bonus was also the small group of four on this tour.  I have to confess though while we have more time here, Canyon X can't really compare with the depth and beauty of the Lower Antelope and I rather felt a tat sorry for people who had never seen the Lower Antelope and had taken Canyon X as a substitute.  But then of course there must be people who felt sorry for me who had never managed to get to the iconic "The Wave" rock formation not too far from here.  Acceptance - one can't see everything there is to see in the world!

Canyon X is also open for a short hiking tour of one and a half hours but if someone has the time, they really should aim to see Lower Antelope Canyon.  For my photos of previous visits, please click here.

Like Lower Antelope Canyon, Canyon X is also below ground and it was a steep descent.  Trust me, the way up felt even steeper!   There are two sides to it but it is not very long - could easily be done in an hour.  Three hours were more than enough for photography.  I have below a selection of images just to give an idea of what it looks like inside the canyon.  As always, a different guide will tell a different story or point out different features.  One formation would remind people of some famous person while the same one might remind people of an animal.  What I love most are the beautiful swirls on the walls, especially where they seem to spiral towards each other from both sides.  

The descent to the entrance of Canyon X

The antelope near the entrance!

These look like handprints...

A butterfly?

Swirls galore - you can almost picture the water rushing through creating those swirls

A sunbeam coming through when the sun hits near high noon.  The guide threw sand intot he beam to create this effect.  This phenomenon can only be seen in the summer when the sun is high enough in the sky.

At the end of the canyon, it opens up and more light came through

This gives an idea how narrow it is inside

The walkway to the other canyon which basically looks very similar

More special effects from the guide

It was a steep climb back up!

Antelope Canyon is in Page, Arizona.  Grand Circle Utah strictly speaking includes a couple of Arizona sites.  This is the view of the Colorado River and its canyons from Grandview Overlook at sunset in Page.  We moved on to Zion National Park on the western edge of the Grand Circle.