Slot
Canyons of the South West
Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon is the most visited slot canyon in the Southwest. Photographers from all over the world flock to this place which consists of upper and lower Antelope canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon has the more recognizable scenes you are probably more familiar with. But this area becomes very crowded during the peak time to photograph the sun beams with peek through best at around 11am to 1pm. The area is extremely beautiful with the many layers and shades of colored sandstone formed millions of years ago. There are many other slot canyons in the area as well which rival Antelope canyon. One just needs to venture north into the Escalante area of Utah or visit the Canyonlands or Zion National Parks.
Most slot canyons are formed in sandstone and limestone
rock, although slot canyons in other rock types such as
granite and basalt are possible. Even in sandstone and limestone,
only a very small number of creeks will form slot canyons.
This is due to a combination of the particular characteristics
of the rock, and regional rainfall.
Utah
has the densest population of slot canyons in the world,
due to the eroding soft sandstone found in the state. Although
most people have heard of two or three slot canyons, there
are actually over one-thousand slot canyons south of Highway
I70 alone. Outside of Southern Utah however, slot canyons
are a rare find.
The
canyon's twisting wind- and water-carved walls, deep red
and stained by desert varnish, shut out the outside world.
Most slot canyons require at least a scramble over boulders,
between crevices and through water.
Joint
Trail, in the Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
This slot canyon was formed not as the result
of flowing water as were most slot canyons on the Colorado
Plateau, but from the fracturing and faulting of large sections
of sandstone as layers around it eroded away and relieved
enormous amounts of pressure which formerly held the rock
together.
The
Joint Trail is an interesting hike through varied types
of terrain. You can access this trail by driving to the
Chesler Park trailhead (4-wheel drive, high clearance) or
hiking from the Elephant Hill trailhead. You'll want to
stop at the ranger station and pick up a map of the area
because there's a matrix of trails through the area from
which to pick and choose. The route from the Elephant Hill
trailhead was about 10.1 miles. Driving to Chesler Park
shortens the hike to a mile or two. There's overnight camping
available in the backcountry with a permit; but you have
to carry all your water as there are not any reliable sources
in the area.
The
Slot Canyons of the South West photo gallery |
