Antelope Canyon

The next morning we didn’t have to be out of the Air B’n’B until 10 a.m., so it was a slow start but once we had breakfast we were on the road again. This time in the direction of Page, Arizona. This is where Antelope Canyon is located. I was so excited to spend time hiking here. The drive takes you almost to the border of Utah.

We stopped at Horseshoe Bend. A natural formation caused by the Colorado River eroding away the landscape for millions of years. This feature looks like it could be part of the Grand Canyon but is actually further north than the Grand Canyon. Of course, the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend continues to flow and is also the cause of the Grand Canyon.

The walk from the parking lot isn’t long, it is a short trek up a hill and a long walk down a hill. Even in the heat, it wasn’t so bad. We oohed and ahhed, and we snapped a hundred pictures with all the other tourists. Then we put the cameras away and just looked. Time is this thing that keeps moving forward and so are the natural phenomena of the world. It took millions of years for this feature to become what it is. We are so lucky that we get to live in a world filled with wonderful things. I know that I am lucky that I have the ability to see even the small fraction of what I’ve seen.

Remember that I said the walk isn’t long, it’s not. That trek up the hill almost did me in though. When it is in the upper 30s C (upper 90s F) outside any walk can become painful. Slow, steady, with lots of water and rest breaks, is what finally had me up the hill. Apparently I like to lounge around in hot weather but moving is not so fun. I had to keep going so we could make our reservation to explore Antelope Canyon.

I did make it to the car though. From there it was a short drive to check-in at Ken’s Tours where we were meeting our guide for our hike through Antelope Canyon. The canyon is on Navajo reservation land. You are required to have a Navajo guide with you in the Canyon. There are tour companies that specialize in either the Upper or Lower Canyon. We went with Ken’s Tours to view the Lower Canyon.

Our guide was Sheena, she was friendly and informative. She pointed out noted rock formations and helped people get some really great shots within the canyon. She answered all sorts of questions about the canyon, as well as about the local peoples, and all the tourists that come to visit the canyon each year. She talked about the dangers of flash floods and how the canyon closes when it rains.

You begin your tour with six flights of steep stairs down into the canyon. Then you hike for about an hour at a gradual incline until you exit the canyon. Once in the canyon, your guide takes you through to the formations and tells you about them.

Twin Peaks: Looks like two waves in the ocean.

Bruce – the friendly shark: Named for the shark in Finding Nemo

The Rocky Mountains: This feature looks like a mountain range.

The Eagle: The outcropping looks like an eagles head.

Woman in the Wind: Looks like a lady with her hair blowing behind her. 

The Spade: The space between the rocks looks like a spade from a deck of cards. 

The Chief: This look like a Navajo chief with his headdress on. 

The Seahorse: The empty space looks like a seahorse.

Even the places of the canyon that don’t have specific images to be seen are breathtaking.

Once you exit the canyon your tour is over and it’s time to go. We drove back to Flagstaff, enjoying a beautiful sunset along the way. Then it was dinner and bed.