Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a “slot canyon.” Because it is so accessible, it is probably the most visited and most photographed of all the slot canyons. It is part of the Navajo Nation; therefore, it requires permission to enter and only then with a Navajo guide. After having gone there, rest assured, it is not in a location that you are going to get to on your own. The pickups, 4-wheel drive, had bench seats in the rear that would seat 12 people. The ten or fifteen minute ride was liken to that of riding a very mad bull. The path to get to the canyon is over a deep sand wash that was created by the depositing of the sand washed out of the canyon. Every storm that results in water through the canyon take with it some of the sandstone. As a result, the canyon is constantly changing in shape. The time of day changes the lighting in the canyon. So what one might see today will not be the same as it will be two years from now. Our guide said there were four storm in 2010 that resulted in a rush of water through the canyon.
How much of a rush? We were told that the water travels at about 70 mph! It might well be 30 to 40 feet in height! That is a situation in which you would not want to get caught. However, if in Page or close to Page, this is well worth seeing.
The group has traveled through the canyon and we are now on the “inlet end.” This is where the water enters the canyon. The guide said that when the flood waters come to this point, the height or depth of the water builds up to about 30 or 40 feet before it gains enough force to push its way into the slot. Not mentioned, but is probably happens in a matter of seconds. It then travels at great speed though the slot washing the walls taking more of the sandstone with it.
A few more shots as we go back through from where we came.
