|
Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking
|
|
|
|
If a short, leisurely stroll through a high desert slot canyon appeals to you, then you will enjoy Upper Antelope Canyon. This hike is located in the North East corner of Arizona, near the town of Page, AZ. From Flagstaff, take US Highway 89 toward Page, AZ. Once you are near Page, look for the signs on the right side of the road that direct you to Antelope Canyon. You can also follow the signs for the power plant, as access to the canyon is also along the access to the power plant. This road is also known as HWY 98. From Flagstaff, the drive is about 1.75 hours. Be Aware of: Flash flood danger. In August 1997, a flash flood killed 11 people in this canyon. This is an easy hike. I wasn't even winded. Bring your wallet, as this is Navajo land and the administrators of the canyon charge $15 per person for transportation to and from the Canyon. 30 yr old Recommendation: While the slot canyon is spectacular, it's a pretty weenie hike. Try Wire Pass or Buckskin Gulch for more exercise with more impressive views. Bring Grandma and the kids. This is as close to a Disneyland hike as they get. Elevation change: nothing to speak of Distance: 1/4 mile one way. Time: We really stretched it to make it 45 minutes. Time of year: We went on a mild day in November. Fall or Spring would be nice too. Solitude: During the week, we were alone. Not sure what a weekend would be like. This was a very lazy hike through a picture perfect slot canyon that eventually feeds Lake Powell. The main attraction here are the uniquely shaped sandstone walls of the canyon. This is a good way to kill an hour or two if you're in the area. If you're there for pictures, try reaching the canyon in the middle of the day for the best light. In winter time, late in the day, the light in the canyon is too low for good pictures. If you liked this, you might want to try Lower Antelope Canyon as well.
|
