Antelope Slot Canyon, Navajo Tribal Lands, Page, Arizona USA
Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways are eroded away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic 'flowing' shapes in the rock. Flooding in the canyon still occurs. It has been accessible by permit only since 1997, when the Navajo Tribe made it a Navajo Tribal Park. Upper Antelope Canyon, called Tse bighanilini, "the place where water runs through rocks" by the Navajo, It is the most frequently visited by tourists, due to two considerations. First, its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing. Second, beams (shafts of direct sunlight radiating down from openings in the top of the canyon) are much more common in Upper than in Lower. Beams occur most often in the summer months, as they require the sun to be high in the sky. Upper Antelope Canyon is very beautiful to visit year round. Beams are at their grandest from May to September. Lower Antelope Canyon, called Hasdeztwazi, or "spiral rock arches" by the Navajo, is located a few kilometers away. Prior to the installation of metal stairways, visiting the canyon required climbing with ropes and ladders in certain areas. Even following the installation of stairways, it is a more difficult hike than Upper Antelope -- it is longer, narrower in spots, and even footing is not available in all areas. At the end, the climb out requires several long flights of these limitations, Lower Antelope Canyon draws a considerable number of photographers The lower canyon is in the shape of a "V" and shallower than the Upper Antelope. Lighting is better in the early hours and late afternoon. Antelope Canyon is visited exclusively through gu
Size: 3400px × 5119px
Location: Antelope Slot Canyon, Navajo Tribal Lands, Page, Arizona USA
Photo credit: © Brenda Kean / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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