Antelope Canyon, the Navajo jewel of the desert
Inside an indigenous reservation and a few kilometers from the tourist city of Page, in the state of Arizona, is one of the Geographical accidents most beautiful in the American West: **Antelope Canyon.**
Heading towards him, already in navajo territory , the panorama from the road is the prelude to that captivating desert beauty that transports you to the unforgettable westerns of Sunday after-dinner. To think that those genuine landscapes of shades ocher, pink and greenish were covered with water, and that housed different extinct forms of marine life , overwhelms
Antelope has two canyons: upper and _lowe_r, upper and lower. A must see both though the upper one is the best known and most crowded.
Any angle is perfect for capturing Antelope's whimsical shapes
They are the result of gradual erosion by water over thousands of years. The passage of time, the impulse of the water and the sandstone and limestone rocks have determined the peculiar 'fluid' shape of these cannons , whose walls can measure 40 meters . Their history makes them unique.
There is no possibility to visit them on your own. It is mandatory to hire the services of the few Navajo companies that offer guides in the area , Navajo Tours in our case. After a hectic jeep ride that brings you closer to the entrance of the canyon, it's time to continue on foot.
Once inside, reality exceeds expectations whether or not you know what you are going to find. It is the play of that kind of "metadata file" that accompanies our visual perception and the load of sense of balance and other unconscious synesthesias. You may have seen photos before, but they will never be better than what your own eyes capture.
The whimsical formations of Antelope Canyon are overwhelming
oh! And here it does not matter to be a good photographer: With such a view it is impossible for your print to be unsuccessful . And if you need help, the guides themselves become impromptu professionals indicating where is the best frame or which one is the best filter for instagram.
"More than 900,000 people visit us every year. In 2018 we hope to reach 1,200,000" says Nathan, a smiling Navajo guide who keeps the sand from getting where it doesn't belong by covering himself up to his eyebrows. His company has been organizing guided tours of these rock formations for more than 30 years.
Wanting to dig a little into his history, I only get a timid statement: "The canyons were discovered by a Navajo family many, many years ago and have been cared for and respected ever since."
More than 900,000 people visit it every year
An hour and a half touring the place costs about 75 dollars. However, there is no price for this luxury of the senses. According to Nathan, 11 or 12 am is the best time of day to visit Antelope given the position of the sunlight.
They also have night sessions geared toward photographers. The experience is ultimately a journey of about 200 meters on foot that leaves you stunned, with the occasional grain of sand between the teeth and a feeling of fullness in the body.
How many jewels like this are there in the world? There will be some more... but for those who make the route along the West Coast, Antelope Canyon should be a mandatory stop. It is worth every euro invested.
11 or 12 am is the best time of day to visit Antelope
The visit is strictly scheduled. You must always follow your guide, you cannot carry backpacks, drink or eat inside the canyon, and you can only take photos on the way out.
The visit can be overwhelming due to the narrowness of the corridors and the number of people who share the same shift. Forgetting about the crowd, following your path while raising your head and enjoying the scenery, is the best option.
It is impossible to resist the temptation to photograph every corner, every whimsical shape of nature or every beam of light projected on the walls. On the way back it is forbidden to stop and take photos. The road is narrow and you have to let those who enter have the same opportunity that you have had to photograph the magic of Antelope.
It is highly recommended protect your skin with sunscreen and a hat. Clothes and shoes, the more comfortable, the better. A multipocket pants may not be a bad idea.
On the way back it is forbidden to stop and take photos
Leaving Antelope and moving away from the Navajo Nation, a personal reflection is inevitable that changes your concept of beauty and takes on a new meaning. You know that you are leaving behind one of the most beautiful places your eyes will see and that, once again, capricious and capricious nature is behind the most beautiful things in life.
A good place to stay is Quality Inn at Lake Powell , which in addition to being close to Antelope, is also an ideal operations center to get to know the Rainbow Bridge National Museum, Glen Canyon Dam, or Horseshoe Bend.
For lunch, stop at **Big John's Texas BBQ** in the town of Page (about a 15- to 20-minute drive from Antelope). A most authentic American, with Texas food (ribs and cobs are not lacking) and live music.
The view from the room at the Quality Inn at Lake Powell