From Zion NP in order to reach the Grand Canyon south rim
one has to loop around the Grand Escalante Staircase on the Colorado Plateau
and cross the Glen Canyon Bridge at the remote town of Page, AZ. We caught
three big highlights in the Lake Powell area for a few days while there: Glen
Canyon Dam/Lake Powell, Upper Antelope Slot Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. To the east along Scenic Drive at the rim of Glen Canyon is a
free overlook, where you can park and make an easy "stepped" descent
with handrails through some lovely layered rock formations down the side of a
cliff.
A lookout below the rocky descent gives you a great view down on to the
Glen Canyon Dam and the Colorado River below. The rock formations alone were
worth the hike to see this view. Crossing the bridge to see the visitor center
displays and 754 ft dam up close added to the adventure. The 1957-1964
construction of the dam backing up Lake Powell reservoir is impressive
engineering .
The evening at sunset had good lighting and a glow around Glen
Canyon Dam and the Lake Powell Wahweap Marina scenic drive.
The second highlight was a hike through a slot canyon accessible only with a Navajo guide on the reservation at Antelope Canyon. The slot-canyon made out of sandstone, with dramatic lighting when the sun is in the right place, has a multitude of breathtaking shades that looks like the rock itself is glowing.
Light enters the canyon through small openings at the top and
reflects off the sandstone walls to create a wide array of colors. Upper
Antelope Canyon, where these images were shot, is probably one of the most
photographed slot canyons ever.
Thirdly, just five miles south of Page in Arizona, the Colorado River
makes a magnificent horseshoe shaped bend before it rushes towards the south
rim of the Grand Canyon.
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| WOW it is sooooo far down there To reach this off the beaten site required a two mile hike. While walking through the desert, you simply don't expect what you are about to see once you arrive at the end of the hike to Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Suddenly a blue (yes blue, not brown) Colorado River makes a 180 degrees turn in front of you deep down in the canyon far below. The drop off...magnificent... is certainly a highlight on anyone’s trip in the Southwest. |
Along the rim of the canyon without any guard
rails I lingered back from the edge and held my breath as JR leaped up on a
rocky precipice ledge. I couldn’t stand to watch him being so daring at a
1000ft drop and had to look away. With no fear of heights JR thinks he
is invincible, so was able to capture an amazing photo of Horseshoe Bend. As
the saying goes, “ A picture is worth a thousand words.”
