Lone Star Travelers Blog » Page Arizona

Antelope Canyon

joanie7 — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:29:11 +0000

Visit our Antelope Canyon Photo Gallery

There are many slot canyons in Northern Arizona and Utah. One of the most famous slot canyons known worldwide is Antelope Canyon 3 miles north east of Page Arizona located on the LeChee Chapter of Navajo Nation Land. Created by water and wind over millions of years the twisting narrow sandstone corridors open into chambers of ethereal beauty. Many Navajo people believe entering Antelope Canyon is a spiritual experience as entering a sacred place of worship and leave with the wondrous feelings of the beauty of Mother Nature. Here is what you need to know to experience Antelope Canyon for yourself. First, all visitors to both the upper and lower canyons must be accompanied by a Navajo Guide. You may sign up with one of the four authorized tour companies in Page Arizona or you may drive out to Antelope Canyon yourself, pay admission and sign up for a tour at the entrance. From Page take Hwy 89S approximately 2 miles until it intersects with Hwy 98 E. Drive about a mile on Hwy 98 and you will see the dirt parking lots on two sides of the highway. The upper canyon is on the right and the lower canyon on the left hand side of the highway. The upper canyon is at a higher elevation and accessible by 4 wheel drive tours. The upper canyon tour is approximately 1 1/2 hours over mostly flat terrain. When the sun is directly overhead beams of sunlight radiate from openings at the top of the nearly vertical walls and move across the chambers in rich shades of color from red to orange to purple. The lower canyon is a walking tour of approximately 1 hour in length. Metal stairways are fixed to the sandstone allowing you to descend to the twisting narrow floor of the canyon commonly referred to as a corkscrew. Some passages are very narrow and footing is not always solid and level. If you choose to tour the lower canyon you will be rewarded with fewer tourists. Many people tour both the lower and the upper canyons on two separate tours. Photography tours of approximately 2 1/2 hours are available. Although not a photography workshop a guide will point out highlights of the canyon and help you find composition areas. Tip: The entrance gate is open from 8AM-5PM Mountain Daylight Time every day of the week. The last tour departs around 4PM. Arizona with the exception of Navajo Nation Land does not observe daylight savings time so it will be 1 hour later at the canyon. Warning: Slot canyons experience frequent flash floods. If your guide advises you not to enter the canyon or to immediately exit due to storms in the area follow his directions without question. It does not have to be raining at the canyon for flash flooding to occur.

Visit our Antelope Canyon Photo Gallery

The Wave

joanie7 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:19:37 +0000

Also known as North Coyote Buttes this hike is internationally famous. Travelers from all over the world come to Southern Utah just to take this hike. You must have a permit to hike to the Wave. When my husband and I volunteered with the National Park Service in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area last summer this was one of the most frequently asked questions. ”What do I need to do to hike the Wave?” First you need a permit. The highly sought after permits are only $5 per person. The trick is securing one. You may apply online 3 months before your trip. The chances of receiving a permit for the popular Spring and Fall hiking seasons are only 10%. The other option is a walk-in permit. You must go in person at 9AM to the Paria Ranger Station (located on Highway 89 half way between Page Arizona and Kanab Utah or 30 miles from Page Arizona. You will be entering the lottery drawing for a permit to hike the following day. Due to the fragile and delicate nature of the geographic features permits are limited to 10 people per day. One person per group submits his name to the lottery for permits for all of the hikers in that group. (limit 6 hikers per group,) Only 20 permits total will be issued for North Coyote Buttes. 10 with the on-line lottery and the additional 10 at the ranger station. Or you can show up at the Paria Ranger Station the same day that you want to hike and if the 10 permits were not given out the day before, which is unlikely, you may receive one for that day. We did not take this hike because we had our three BWD’s with us for the summer. Those of you who have BWD’s know what I’m talking about. For those of you who don’t they are the Big White Dogs (Great Pyrenees.) If you are lucky enough to be awarded a permit you may pay $5 for your dog’s permit and he may go with you. Be careful in the warmer months as the sand and slick rock radiate a tremendous amount of heat. You must bring water both for yourselves and your dog and pack out all waste both human and canine. Note: If any of you have hiked North Coyote Buttes to the Wave please leave me a comment I would love to hear about it. If you want to do this hike and have questions please ask! If I don’t know the answer I can probably find it out! Happy Hiking! www.blm.gov/az/asfo/paria/coyote_buttes

Where to stay in Page Arizona and Glen Canyon National Recreation near Lake Powell

joanie7 — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:36:05 +0000

If you choose Page Arizona as your base to explore Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Grand Circle you will have a choice of more than two dozen hotels and motels to stay in. If you want lakeside lodging there is only one choice and that is the Lake Powell Resort, formerly known as the Wahweap Lodge. Many of the 350 rooms have lake views. All other hotels and motels are in the city of Page, Arizona which is mid point if you are on a road trip touring the Grand Circle. The Grand Circle encompasses 7 National Parks including Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon National Park. 8 National Monuments including Monument Valley and Navajo National Monument are within reach as well as numerous state parks. Call 1-800-528-6154 for lodging any time prior to arrival. Or from the greater Phoenix Area call 1-602-331-5258.

Paria Outpost Restaurant Near Lake Powell

joanie7 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:14:12 +0000

Eat where the locals go. The Paria Outpost Restaurant on Highway 89 between Page Arizona and Kanab Utah is a destination in itself. The 30 mile drive from Page Arizona on a Friday or Saturday night from March thru October will bring you to a reasonably priced all you can eat buffet featuring Texas smoked barbeque. Tip: The correct pronunciation of Paria rhymes with Maria.