Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon & Horsehoe Bend

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Today, we visited several popular attractions around Page. After departing the campground, we stopped for pictures of Lake Powell as we drove through Glen Canyon Recreational Area. 

————— Lake Powell —————

Just outside of the recreation area, we pulled into the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. This center has informative displays about the history of the Glen Canyon area, its dam, and Lake Powell. Among other things, we learned that the current low water level in Lake Powell represents only one third of its volume capacity. Behind the center, unimpeded great views of Glen Canyon Dam and the AZ-89 bridge over the Colorado River were available through large glass windows and an outdoor balcony. Before departing, I was able to get a stamp for our Passport in the center’s gift shop. 

After the Visitor Center, we drove a short distance to Navajo Nation territory for our Tse Bighanilini  (Upper Antelope Canyon) tour. After checking in for our reservation, we waited in a covered outdoor area for our group (4) to be  called. When it was our turn, Jane and I with seven other visitors followed our Navajo driver and guide, Leigh, to our transport vehicle and climbed onto bench seats in the canopied rear. Off we went together with several other full trucks, bouncing along a dusty dirt trail to the slot canyon entrance. 

Leigh led us through the entrance with other groups before and after us. Inside, we walked through lens-shaped slots that opened into four larger chambers. The top of the canyon was mostly open allowing the sun to light up the flowing waves of the orange canyon walls. The passages that we were walking through were formed by heavy rain running off the above basin and eroding away the sandstone layers. Today, during the rainy season, heavy rains can produce flash floods that still rush through the canyon passageways and threaten unwary tourists.

As we walked through the canyon, Leigh pointed out interesting features in the slot walls, a heart, angel wings, and a scene from Monument Valley. About mid-way through, we saw a tarantula on a wall near the floor. In well-selected areas, she also took pictures of us using our phone cameras. Leigh described an episode in which National Geographic was granted permission to film a flood through the canyon, and against their agreement, bored holes in the canyon wall to mount cameras. Leigh showed us some of the borings. Understandably, the Navajo Nation was upset and now Nat Geo is not permited to enter Navajo territory.  

—— Upper Antelope Canyon ——

Eventually, we reluctantly emerged from the dim and cool slot canyon into the bright and hot Arizona sunshine. We then began our walk back to the vehicles over loose sand and then a series of metal walkways and stairs. We finally descended to our parked vehicle, boarded, and endured the bouncy trip back to the depot where our parked cars were waiting.

After rehydrating in the car, we drove a few miles to Horseshoe Bend. After paying our entrance fee ($10) and parking, we joined hordes of other tourists on the 0.75-mile descending dry and dusty trail to the Bend. Horseshoe Bend is a deep horseshoe-shaped meander in the Colorado River. We spent a while gazing at this unusual natural wonder from different perspectives before hiking the uphill 0.75-trail back to the parking lot.

—— Horseshoe Bend ——— 

After the dry dusty return ascent from Horseshoe Bend, we drove into Page for refreshments and nourishment. We chose that Dam Bar & Grille located in Dam Plaza. There, we enjoyed beers with chips and queso for an appetizer followed by a good meal, hippie pizza for Jane and pesto pasta for John. 

—— Dam Bar & Grille ——

We returned to the RV after dinner. John blogged while Jane took a walk enjoying the evening coolness and oranging sunlight. She admired a cove of Lake Powell just behind our campsite while walking to the AZ-UT stateline. Upon returning, we played a board game and then retired.