Photo Tour
Page, Arizona
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Lower Antelope Canyon Photo Tour Page, Arizona |
October 13, 2014
Because friends Gary and David and I have just completed a grueling hike to the Zion Subway, this is a scheduled recuperation day. That doesn't mean that we will be sitting around, however. We are headed for Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona.
On our way though eastern Zion Park, we must of course stop at every excuse for a good photograph:
Fall color
"What in blazes are you doing?"
"Just scratching my ear"
Today's venue is easy to find. We have but to head directly toward the
giant Navaho coal-fired power plant and watch for the billboards.
We stop first at the Upper Canyon ticket office, but no spots are available.
A couple of tour buses have grabbed them all.
We head across the highway and down to the nearest of two Lower Canyon offices; this is our primary destination anyway. Standard tours run about an hour and a half, and I know from experience that the guide tries to keep everyone moving. One cannot even take a tripod on the regular tour, lest its usage slow everyone down.
That scenario is not for us, however; so we lay out a goodly chunk of additional cash for a Photo Tour, which will give us an extra hour and let us proceed through the canyon at our own pace. The only problem is that we will have to wait nearly two hours; but that gives us time to return to town, settle motel arrangements, pick up some lunch, and visit the nearby Lake Powell marina overlook.
The air quality isn't nearly as bad today as on my last visit
By two o'clock, no one else has signed up for our particular tour; so it will
be just the three of us and a Navajo guide. Perfect. Gary has donned
a homemade GoPro-type contraption — a little blue camera
strapped to his chest so that he can shoot videos without the unit bouncing
around much. He gets a chance to start using his new toy as David suddenly
disappears down a crack in the rock.
The slot canyon entrance is a tight squeeze
Immediately I get to negotiate one of many flights of metal steps, which are more like ladders than stairs. The footsteps themselves are little, so a firm grip on the handrail is pretty important.
At the bottom of the first ladder, I am rewarded immediately
Wonderful stuff
That view merits a closer inspection:
Oh, my! I have gotten my money's worth
already ⇔
Numerous pauses are in order to accommodate the passage of tour groups approaching from the other direction. This provides opportunities for our guide to serenade us on his flute.
The melody is primitive, but the tones are pure
Gary sets up a shot
David disappears down a hole
Now I am kicking myself for not having even packed a tripod, but at least I am carrying my 'better' camera today.
An unnamed arch
There are so many wonderful scenes that I cannot display them all. Equally difficult is choosing which fine photographs to weed out.
I took the liberty of removing some blemishes (bird shit)
from this exquisite tapestry ⇔
What is going on here? It looks like something out of Star Trek
For the answer, turn your monitor upside down — if you can!
Aha! It's just Hole in the Rock Arch
Our group is compelled to wait here for some time, because a couple dozen people all want to be photographed under the arch. I read somewhere that one couple even made their wedding vows at this very spot.
Down another hole
Study in shadows
Swirls and curls
Just another exquisite tapestry ⇔
Oddly enough, as we reach the deepest part of the canyon, we are nearing the exit.
Down to a depth of 150 feet
Another recital
The Eagle
Heading out
At the top of the stairway, three plumes of smoke help bring one quickly back to the ordinary world.
Having paid the big bucks, we are chauffeured back to the
parking lot
David is determined to return to this area, and he wishes to inquire about other tour options. On our guide's advice, we drive a few miles east to another tour office. The head honcho is not here at the moment, but this great mural is:
⇔
§: On this, my second visit here, I recognized a couple of
formations. I also encountered many scenes that seemingly were not
there before. This is one place where repeat visits can beget
substantially different scenery simply by visiting at different times of
day. It is a true photographer's dreamscape.
The next time I bring friends here, I'll do my due diligence, We easily could have visited the upper canyon as well with appropriate ticket reservations. Sorry, guys; I'll try to make it up to you tomorrow, at The Wave.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality | |
| Solitude |  |
Today, I have saved for last a scene that I encountered early on the tour. I hope you like it:
The most beautiful slot canyon of them all ⇔
