Friday, October 1, 2010

Hiking Lower Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon, located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona, is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It includes two separate photogenic slot canyon sections referred to individually as Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack (seen below), and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew (link at bottom.) We were a bit surprised when the guide indicated we'd be entering this narrow crack seen in this photo...



...but we did!


Unlike Upper Antelope Canyon where you walk directly into the slot canyon, you must descend a number of ladders or stairs during your tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, which is why it isn't recommended for people with walking disabilities or height issues or claustrophobia.





In this photo you can see how far the people are below me. Your tendency to take photos and gawk at the vivid colors and ethereal shapes must be tempered by the possibility there might be a ladder ahead to be negotiated...






Our guide used our own cameras to photograph us under the one arch on the tour...


Sunlight through the crack in the ceiling created constant wondrous sights for us...












Be aware that the elevation you lost descending into the canyon must be regained by climbing 4 or 5 flights of stairs at the end of the 1/3 mile long canyon, and then you walk up a dirt road back to the parking area.

Here's my report and photos on Upper Antelope Canyon.

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