Southwest Road trip - Sedona to Page

The next stop on our trip is Page and the road between Sedona and Page is very scenic.  The section of Highway 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff cuts through red rocks in the southern part but as the road climbed, it changed over to forested canyons - all this within the mere 30 miles between the two cities.  There was one scenic stop that looked out onto the deep  canyons, a change in scenery from the red rock desert of Sedona although you can still see the red rocks under the trees.

We stopped at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch, trying their delicious specialty Navajo fried breads.  

The spectacle along the highway continues as we approach Page.  Thanks to my friend and driving partner LW for these two photos.

It is a mere 158 miles between Sedona and Page - what should be a less than 3 hour drive turned into a good part of the day.  We had to cut the stop at Marble Canyon on the way because we had to make it to Horseshoe Canyon for the golden hour, which is very early these days because sunset was around 4:30-5.  That is one of the cons of travelling at this time of year - very short days - but the advantage is smaller crowds.

Stunning rocks surround the Horseshoe Bend

The Horseshoe Bend is basically an "incised meander" of the Colorado River.  It's my second visit - thankful that this time I made it for the golden hour and the boat cooperated with a cruise around the bend.  See how the colour changes as the sun goes down.

Moonrise brought on the magic...

and the goblins...

Slot Canyon #5 - Mountain Sheep Canyon

Someone remarked that all the canyons looked very similar.   While the pictures of the sandstone do seemed alike, the canyons themselves are actually quite different with their own character.  They may all have swirls, but the stone texture seemed different in each of them and they were all different heights and widths, thus creating different feel when you were actually in them.  You have to be there.

Mountain Sheep Canyon is the longest canyon of the five (about 1.5 miles) and there is probably a good reason why it's named after the Mountain Sheep - you have to climb up and down quite a few times inside the canyon, like mountain sheep.  The step ladders were secured, but one of them was quite long - climbing up seemed easier as long as you don't look down, but climbing down is not for the faint of heart as you do have to look down to make sure you don't miss a step.  And you have to go back the same way as there is no other way out.   To add to the drama, it was our last canyon of the day, everyone was tired - but we survived.

The entrance to Mountain Sheep Canyon

A well-camouflaged lizard

First time we saw any plant life in the canyons

This canyon is much more rugged than the other four.  You can see that in the stone texture and the harsher lines of the swirls.  

That was a fairly long climb up to a not very steady platform...

Looking down from the platform 

Even the arches you see in this canyon are not as smooth as the ones in the other canyons

Compared to similar shots in the other canyons, you can see the lines here are much more rugged.

And that was the end of our day-long tour of the slot canyons - it was a spectacular adventure!

Slot Canyon #4 - Lower Antelope Canyon

I approached this canyon with a sense of adventure and excitement.   I was a little anxious about it even when I was looking it up online - this is the canyon where 11 tourists died in 1997 because of a flash flood.  There was a memorial plaque near the entrance of the canyon and all who entered were told the scary story of how this happened.  Very little rain fell on the canyon that day but a thunderstorm earlier in the day had dumped large amounts of water seven miles upstream.  Apparently the group was warned that the flood was coming through but the guide was not a local guide and did not heed the warning as they did not see the water.  The homemade wood stairs (since replaced) were washed away with the flash flood and the group had no means of escape.   Our guide showed us the now secured ladders in addition to 10 boxes containing rope ladders along the canyon side that could be released if a flash flood occurs.  

Lower Antelope Canyon, called Hazdistazi or "sprial rock arches" in Navajo, is the deepest and, in my opinion, the most beautiful canyon in the group with spectacular swirls - you can almost see the water whirling through and carving the spirals in the canyon.  The fact that it is all underground made it even more awesome - once you're down there, you're in a different world and you forgot yourself.  It was breathtakingly beautiful with a view around every corner.    See for yourself...

The entrance is most unusual - guess which is the right hole?

and this is how you get in - how would you know that without a guide?!  No need to answer - they won't let you in without one.

Squeeze through then there are steps - much easier than I expected...

This photo gives you a sense of what it feels like when you're down there surrounded by these swirly rocks

Then it goes on and on and on...

You're surrounded...

it's like walking through a dreamscape...

Finally, the way up!

Here's looking back at where we came out -

And beyond - the basin where the water would come out...

It is truly amazing!

Slot Canyon #3 Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope is the star and the most well-known of the Arizona slot canyons.  It is also the most visited.  Tours are strictly controlled and timed.  Tour guides worked with each other to coordinate where each group stop and for how long.  They staged "shows" inside the canyon - threw dust into the shafts of light that came through the canyon near midday for the photographers, all geared up with their tripods.   It's theatrical.  In a way, the crowds and the theatre detracts from the experience although the "shafts of light" are legendary and are what drew the crowds.  In fact, midday tours are more expensive than other times because of the light show.

The canyon without the theatre is still very beautiful.  It is the tallest of the slot canyons in the area and I could imagine it without the crowds.  If you're visiting, do your utmost to avoid the high season - I can see it would be difficult to enjoy it when you're rushed through and have to jostle for space.

Reminds me of a Lawren Harris painting

This is called "Sunset at Monument Valley"

Shafts of light in different parts of the canyon - photographers are lined up three rows deep to catch this display - some kneeling in the front row, some standing in the middle and the ones without tripods leaning against the wall!

This is "the heart" of the canyon

Another staged effect - sand fall

All you need is an ancient city on the other side to think that you were in Petra...
What you see instead are the open air jeeps the tour companies use to transport people to the canyon.  We were on a full day tour so was driven in an SUV.