Utah has more than its fair share of slot canyons, but the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons are pretty darn spectacular. I was a little worried about the lower as they said it was strenuous due to a series of ladders you climb up and down...and it was 106 deg that day with about a 1/4 mile hike out to the canyon. Our Navajo guide Carl was phenomenal, explaining about the geological formation, the sacred nature of the canyon to his people, and helping with camera settings nd camera directions which were critical. While it was hot walking out on the desert sand to the canyon, it turns out the ladders were no problem and once down below, the temp was tolerable.
Deep fast glowing currents deposit sand grains over and over causing unusual multi-colored rock formation. Where the water comes through it opens slots of light to shine through. Carl explained that just a few years ago a flash flood killed 11/12 people in the canyon due to the fast nature of the water that still comes during monsoon season. Here are just a few of the pics...hard to pick out what to show you, the deeper we went, the more brilliant the colors. It is easy to see why the area is sacred and spiritual for the Navajo people...
And finally, Carl demonstrated how the formations are made with just sand and water...
What a morning...next we see the Lowmans and we will do the Upper Canyon!
Wow, beautiful. We will have to see that someday.
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