Utah, Arizona and Slot Canyons

Utah - Arizona Parks....September 11th-18th, 2013

Day 1... We flew into Las Vegas, rented a car and headed for Kanab, Utah. Our location for 7 nights at the Holiday Inn Express. To get there we drove into Zion National Park only to find that the highway to Kanab was closed from water damage. We jumped on the Zion shuttle and went deep into the park. We hiked up to the beginning of the "Narrows". A slot canyon hike requiring wading in waist deep water in some places. Of course it was closed too. So we backtracked 30 miles and drove into Arizona to reach Kanab. Kanab is a really nice small town with two grocery stores and many resturaunts. It's centrally located betwen Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, see map below.

Mt. St. Helens from the plane

Mysterious structure in eastern Oregon

Mules resting at turn around

Sunrise views during the 1.5 hour drive

Nate the Navajo, our guide. Note that the floor is wet from a recent flash flood.

The hike to Rattlesnake Canyon entrance. The regular entrance was blocked by huge water holes.

Entrance to Rattlesnake Canyon was down this crack.

Cyd the friendly ghost

The power plant at Page, AZ

Upper Antelope Canyon entrance

The famous sun beam created by Navajo guides throwing sand into the air. Not the best thing for our cameras.

Part of the Queen's Garden loop trail

Breather holes for the highway tunnel

One of Zion's canyon views

Monkey face and skull

Cliffs above Weeping Rock

Sunrise striking Angel's Landing

Typical trail surface

Rock steps up to Hidden Canyon

In between chain sections

Using two hands...babies!

View from hidden canyon

Angel's Landing across the valley

First glimpse of Echo Canyon

We never expected this oasis in the peaks. A flat trail for 1/4 mile.

Canyoneers we met. She carries the wet suits. He has the ropes and hard hats.

We waited for the sun to hit this peak.

"HO-MADE" pies. Very good. I had Thunderberry. A combo of Blue, straw, black and raspberries.

Utah - Arizona Parks....September 11th-18th, 2013

Day 1... We flew into Las Vegas, rented a car and headed for Kanab, Utah. Our location for 7 nights at the Holiday Inn Express. To get there we drove into Zion National Park only to find that the highway to Kanab was closed from water damage. We jumped on the Zion shuttle and went deep into the park. We hiked up to the beginning of the "Narrows". A slot canyon hike requiring wading in waist deep water in some places. Of course it was closed too. So we backtracked 30 miles and drove into Arizona to reach Kanab. Kanab is a really nice small town with two grocery stores and many resturaunts. It's centrally located betwen Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, see map below.

Mt. St. Helens from the plane	Unknowm mountain	Mysterious structure in eastern Oregon

View from the shuttle parking lot at Zion	Trail closed	Near the trailhead to the "Narrows"

Map	Along the trail to the "Narrows"	Entrance to the "Narrows". With poles and the right foot wear you can walk several miles up the canyon. It narrows as you go. You must wade in the river much of the time.

Day 2 ... We slept in a bit then drove up to Bryce Canyon. The highway passes through Red Rock Canyon just a few miles before entering the park.


First view of Red Rock Canyon	Red Rock Canyon	Red Rock Canyon

Bryce Canyon was about 1.5 hour drive north from Kanab.

First view of the canyon from Sunrise Point	Side port view from Navajo Loop trail

Looking towards Observation Point	Some white hoodoos.	Tourists

Caves forming Hoodoos	Trail with hikers	Big ravens in Utah

Natural Bridge	Antelope	Red Rock Canyon


Day 3... Riding mules down the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I couldn't get the time change between PST and mountain time right. We arrived at the Grand Canyon an hour early but, we were there for the sunrise.

Before sunrise view from lodge		North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge

Cabin rentals at the lodge		Path to Bright Angel Point

Bright Angel Point	Sunrise on the canyon

More big Ravens	Mule Corrall	Happy Rider

Our Guide	Rainbow Cliff	Mules resting at turn around

		Cyd and guide

Rainbow cliffs	Our mule team	Dinosaur Tracks

Day 4....Antelope Canyon Photo Tour. Slot canyons up to 50 feet deep near Page Arizona. Operated by the Navajos on their land.

Hotel neighbors	Sunrise views during the 1.5 hour drive	Sunrise

The office	Owl Canyon	Nate the Navajo, our guide. Note that the floor is wet from a recent flash flood.

A resident owl	Owl Canyon	Owl Canyon

The hike to Rattlesnake Canyon entrance. The regular entrance was blocked by huge water holes.	Entrance to Rattlesnake Canyon was down this crack.	Cyd the friendly ghost

Rattlesnake Canyon	Rattlesnake Canyon	The power plant at Page, AZ

Upper Antelope Canyon entrance

	The heart shape

The famous sun beam created by Navajo guides throwing sand into the air. Not the best thing for our cameras.	The standing Bear	Flash flood debris caught in a crack 15 feet above our heads

Day 5...Back to Bryce Canyon for a great hike into Queen's Garden for some good photos. The Navajo Loop trail was closed.





	Part of the Queen's Garden loop trail



On the drive back to Kanab from Bryce Canyon we ventured into Zion again.


Bighorn Sheep	Lady sheep	Checkerboard Mesa

Breather holes for the highway tunnel	Climber	Zoomed in



Day 6... We slept in today and got a late start into Zion Park. The crowd for shuttles was so big we headed back to the east side of the highway tunnel. We had to drive the tunnel twice to get a parking spot for the Canyon Overlook trail.



	One of Zion's canyon views	Monkey face and skull

On the Canyon Overlook trail near the highway tunnel east entrance.	My little tree	Same little tree, prized by photographers

Day 7...Back in Zion to attempt Hidden Canyon trail and part of Observation Point trail. The Angel's Landing hike was a bit beyound our range and required no fear of heights. Lots of chains across some very narrow ledges. In the end we climbed about the same amount of altitude.

Cliffs above Weeping Rock	Sunrise striking Angel's Landing	Weeping Rock

Typical trail surface	The trail below us	Rock steps up to Hidden Canyon

In between chain sections	Hang on!	The hidden canyon

Using two hands...babies!	View from hidden canyon

Chain wear

Angel's Landing across the valley	First glimpse of Echo Canyon	We never expected this oasis in the peaks. A flat trail for 1/4 mile.



		Canyoneers we met. She carries the wet suits. He has the ropes and hard hats.

	We waited for the sun to hit this peak.	Leaving the oasis

Zion shuttle bus	Climbers	..."bare footin"..

	"HO-MADE" pies. Very good. I had Thunderberry. A combo of Blue, straw, black and raspberries.