Lower Antelope Canyon, Page, AZ

April 5, 2016

Today, we spent our morning touring Lower Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ.  The Canyon, and its companion, Upper Antelope Canyon, are on Navajo land and this means  that tourists are only allowed in accompanied by a Navajo guide.  Our guide was a young woman named Rihianna, who will be studying graphic arts design in Phoenix next fall.
The Antelope Canyons are "slot canyons".

You can see the "slot" winding its way.  These are narrow enough for me to straddle the opening.  The outside photo will give you perspective on how the light filters into the canyon below.


Wikipedia says: "Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion of Navajo sandstone through flash flooding and  due to other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways erode away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic 'flowing' shapes in the rock." 
Prior to the installation of metal stairways, visiting the canyon required climbing along ladders in certain areas. Even following the installation of stairways, it is a more difficult hike than Upper Antelope. It is longer, narrower in spots, and even footing is not available in all areas. At the end, the climb out requires several flights of stairs.   

The Antelope Canyons are a photographer's dream, requiring some finicky camera settings due to the varying light.  Our guide helped me with my settings and I am very happy with the results.  Thank you Rihianna!

This formation is known as "the wave"

Dave disappearing behind the sandstone

Gives you a little idea of the scale!

Sun playing with dust

"Sunset over the rockies" formation

The "eagle"

A little grass growing inside the canyon between the sandstone