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Lotsa Slots
and a
Messa Mesas
The Slot Canyons of Page Arizona
Slot canyons form when a crack, fissure or weakness occurs in a very durable and weather resistant layer of overlying rock. When the underlying layers are less durable the forces of weathering and erosion carve deeply into the underlying layers, resulting in an extremely narrow and deeply carved "slot". Some slot canyons can be only three feet wide at the surface and 100 or more feet deep. Slot canyons are very prone to flash flooding. Over thousands of years, heavy rains pour through the slot with enormous force. The rushing water carries with it rock and sand which scour and carve the various rock layers into a multitude of complex forms and shapes. The bottom or floor of slot canyons are usually very narrow, sometimes just a few feet or even a few inches wide. Steps or drop-offs can make exploring the canyons challenging.
March 2019, Deb and I visited four different slot canyons near Page Arizona. We chose ones that fit our scrambling ability and also offered good photography opportunities. These canyons are all on Navajo Nation lands and require a guide.
Entering each canyon delivers one into an "other worldly" experience. The light entering from the top is reflected multiple times from many angles resulting in a wide range of colors and shades. In many places no sky is visible above. Often the canyon floor is very narrow and the walls on each side provide just enough room to squeeze through.
Photography here can be challenging, dealing with people in the way, dust, and choosing the very best angle and exposure. However, the opportunities are great and I think everyone could come away with some great shots. These canyons are all very different with unique shapes, forms, floors, walls, color and shade. The only problem is that to the casual observer, after awhile the photographs may:
​
ALL START TO LOOK ALIKE!
See what you think. - Dan
​
CANYON X
![Trail to Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_af5ab6af3cc9419d988b3391b37a3665~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_244,h_366,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Trail%20to%20Canyon%20X%20HR.jpg)
The trail to the entrance of Canyon X is much steeper than it looks.
![Entering Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_02227261e0f941689305032a6ec46b30~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_233,h_313,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Entering%20Canyon%20X%20HR.jpg)
The entrance to Canyon X
![Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_81cc5e79efa24fcbb9771e6345b92d90~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_390,h_260,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Canyon%20X%20no%20crop.jpg)
Once inside Canyon X the floor is fairly wide and level.
![Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_e62874f3b3ec4f52b59aa84256fced20~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_357,h_238,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Canyon%20X%20lookin%20up.jpg)
Looking straight up!
![Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_efbdcdb45bb942fcb30c980970d19178~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_256,h_384,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Canyon%20X%20HR%20no%20crop.jpg)
The floor narrows and the walls close in.
![Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_28f9c0b6998d4a18a3825d2b3d6e250d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_280,h_384,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Canyon%20X%20purple%20HR.jpg)
![Dan in Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_8eaefac5228846b0a20fd3398b8c2c13~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_288,h_384,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Dan%20X%20LR.jpg)
![Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_ff37273ba8224add938f40350a36af65~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_15,w_4480,h_6705/fill/w_291,h_436,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Canyon%20X%20HR%20no%20crop%20B.jpg)
![Sand Fall Canyon X](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_da03c6f955a6447db9b6daaa99cdb95a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_363,h_565,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Sand%20Fall%20in%20Canyon%20X%20non%20LUM%20LR%20straigh.jpg)
Canyon X
Falling sand forms a "sandfall" in Canyon X
Dan in Canyon X
Canyon X
HORSESHOE BEND SLOT CANYON
![Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_7f53c908c08c42268c92da3f662399bf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_256,h_384,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/entrance%20to%20H%20Bend.jpg)
The entrance to Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon
![Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_c479b0fbe93b448aa398f4c0b51f39f9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_256,h_384,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Deb%20H%20Bend.jpg)
Deb In Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon
![Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_44a8d739dd8d4af6b5592924eccdda0b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_388,h_384,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/H%20Bend%20with%20Deb.jpg)
Deb In Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon
![Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_5d0bfba979584a52ac58dd69c4547293~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_285,h_392,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/H%20Bend%20LR.jpg)
![Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_29801919cdaa4d5db0f0c9ab2f38f257~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_285,h_428,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/H%20Bend%20w%20stick%20LR.jpg)
Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon
![bird drop out H bend.jpgHorseshoe Bend Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_5ac702a3105a439ca81e2513da1b9947~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_338,h_460,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/bird%20drop%20out%20H%20bend.jpg)
RATTLESNAKE SLOT CANYON
Rattlesnake was my favorite canyon. Deb and I scheduled separate tours here and by a twist of fate I was the only one on my tour. My guide got me into the canyon, over a tough scramble, then offered to let me work my way to the other end alone. It was a bit intimidating wending my way alone around tight bends and walls. In several spots ladders were in place to get to higher levels. Exillerating!!
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_d69dfb07c510421197badb5cd988e6c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_591,h_394,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Rattlesnake%20entrance.jpg)
Entering Rattlesnake Slot Canyon includes a 4ft. high "duck under"arch
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_95281295409f40af9073618f655a17b1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_573,h_382,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/narrow%20floor.jpg)
A very narrow canyon floor - tight walls!
Right-hand photo - A small step up in the floor. Larger ones require ladders to negotiate
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_ec8f7b3981194ca69c41c0932c1a4d35~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_460,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/step%20up.jpg)
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_35f48344afdf43a9bd1e0f68191cd18f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_389,h_543,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Grass%20Far.jpg)
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_f3e38ff4b69444cc9e94c2b08914ca36~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_431,h_544,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Close%20grass.jpg)
Two perspectives of a tuft of scrub grass I found growing in Rattlesnake Slot Canyon
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_378d9b3ee0b1413c837efed97391240d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_350,h_525,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/rat%20snake.jpg)
Deep inside Rattlesnake Slot Canyon
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_e2626b8448b24ae5b27e356e02d8adad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_394,h_591,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/grass%20on%20ledge.jpg)
![Rattlesnake Slot Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_f0d371008d244832947b1aad553f5ea0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_747,h_498,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Arch%20in%20Rat%20snake.jpg)
A delicate arch in Rattlesnake Slot Canyon - Here there is essentially no floor. The walls just wedge together at the bottom.
UPPER ANTELOPE SLOT CANYON
This canyon is unusual in that while it is very narrow at the top surface, the floor is quite broad and flat. With easy access, Upper Antelope Slot Canyon can be walked through with little effort. My photos do not reflect the fact that this is a very over-crowded tourist attraction. 1000's of people come here daily. I signed up for a photo tour which meant that our guides would block off the crowds for a few minutes while we rapidly captured some remarkable images. The over-crowding made this most beautiful canyon my least favorite.
![Upper Antelope Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_62732fcb3f674bab8c03110858e1e204~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_536,h_357,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/NOse%20at%20distance.jpg)
Upper Antelope Slot Canyon
![Upper Antelope Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_3fc4a621e96d4ec2bc01fdf1808bb930~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_312,h_468,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Ant%20upper.jpg)
![Upper Antelope Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_d7455e69123348bd8e0de20b18ca2fbc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_331,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/U%20Antelope%20syick%20in%20wall.jpg)
![Upper Antelope Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_2bfd36a656684078a27f08b3a996e8e8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_297,h_446,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Antelope%20yellow.jpg)
![Upper Antelope Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_4099e358d28d4b3d818e97498ce5ec14~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_272,h_198,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Sand%20fall%20in%20U%20Antelope.jpg)
Falling Sand
![Upper Antelope Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_fe547303ad384be4a9204de88e9188b4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_288,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/upAntelope.jpg)
Upper Antelope Slot Canyon
![Upper Antelope Canyon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/baed94_e091591ee568429f80dc062ddb33e173~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_459,h_383,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/U%20Antelope%20looking%20up.jpg)
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