Onondaga Central
Clear blue skies, feathery white clouds, arid lands, reds, and oranges smear the landscape, the sun bright and scorching, baking the ground dry; that is Arizona for you! The lovely state of Arizona, home of the Grand Canyon has so much to do. Arizona holds many natural wonders and phenomenon, the beautiful red rock brings in thousands of tourists and hikers. There are many gorgeous hiking destinations that are known to many but there are also equally as stunning places that many people do not know about. Before planning your trip to Arizona, know all that you can visit.
Antelope Canyon: Antelope Canyon is a canyon split between the Navajo lands east of Page, Arizona. The canyon is separated into two sections: the Upper Canyon or The Crack and the Lower Canyon or The Corkscrew. The upper section of the canyon is at around 4,000 feet elevation, with walls that rise 120 feet above its streambed. The canyon cuts into the red sandstones. Strong winds, rains, and floods carved the canyon. The canyon is known for its sloping angles and light beams that shine through the canyon. Upper Antelope is called Tsé bighánílíní in Navajo, which can be translated to “The place where water runs through rocks” in English. Antelope Canyon got its name from the belief that Antelopes once grazed along the canyon in the winter. If you are looking to view the sunbeams, the best time to visit around 11 am to 11 pm from March to October. November to March is a quieter time to visit the canyon for there are fewer tourists. To visit the canyon you must book a tour guide and purchase a permit. Your tour guide will help you purchase a permit. One popular company is Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours. Children cost $60 and $80 for adults. These tours are guided by a member of the Navajo Nation. If you are looking to spend the whole day, another popular company is Pink Jeep tours, they have an 11-hour tour. You will hike 1.5 miles, go on a 60 to 90 minute to with a Navajo guide, and lunch is included. This tour is known for its educational values. No matter what season you go in, it is advised you wear a hat for sand does often fall between the opening of the canyon. Horseshoe Bend: Just 7 miles from Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is a must-see. Horseshoe bend has three options: hiking, floating or flying, to see the bend’s natural beauty. About 200 million years ago, a massive sea of sand dunes covered the landscape from Arizona to Wyoming. The dunes eventually became petrified, or turned to stone, by water and minerals, solidifying into a uniform layer of sandstone, that in some areas is over 2,000 feet thick. Eventually, other sedimentary layers of sandstone, mudstone, calcite, and limestone settled on top of the petrified dunes. During the constant winds, floods and extreme temperatures, the land began to wear away creating what is know Horseshoe Bend. Interestingly enough, there is a small, hard-to-find dinosaur track about 50 yards from the end of the trail. The hiking trail can become rigorous but is most certainly worth the hike. Views of red rock and the Colorado River can be seen. Beginning at the base of Glen Canyon Dam, half-day rafting trips on the Colorado River are available. These rafting trips will allow you to see Horseshoe Bend and go all the way to the Grand Canyon. You will see towering canyon walls, crystals blue and green waters, and many different types of wildlife. The tour lasts three hours and begins in a scenic town in Page, Arizona. Half-day or full-day tours are available through Wilderness River Adventures. On this tour, you will see the wondrous spectacle of the Glen Canyon Dam. The dam is 710 feet high, concrete arch-gravity dam that was built between 1956 and 1966. This dam forms Lake Powell. The dam was being considered in 1924 but the plans were soon dropped and replaced with the construction of the Hoover Dam. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area includes Horseshoe bend. Thirty-minute flights are available. The flights highlight, the stunning stone of Glen Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, and the phenomenal 2,000 miles of Lake Powell Coastline. Another must-see natural wonder, that is included in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Rainbow bridge is one of the world’s largest natural bridges. A place nearby, the only place where you can drive to the Colorado River is known as Lees Ferry. Here you can get a taste of the pioneer life! Lees Ferry is a historical ferry boat launch that operated from 1872 until 1928. Here you can take in the historical sites, see the Lonely Dell Ranch, go fishing and even go hiking. Marble Canyon: Nearby, only 12 miles from Page is Marble Canyon. While visiting and hiking at Marble Canyon you can travel on the Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway. In Marble Canyon is the well known Cathedral Wash trail which ensures beautiful views. While in Marble Canyon, hike to Tatahatso Point for breathtaking views. Saddle Canyon: An hour and a half away from Marble Canyon is Saddle Canyon. This allows for vigorous hiking trails, for more skilled hikers who are ready for a challenge. Lake Powell: While visiting all these canyons, go swimming in Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. You can take Kayaking tours not only on Lake Powell but also on Lake Powell. Grand Canyon: Don’t forget to visit the most famous of them all- the Grand Canyon! The south rim is about 2 ½ hours from these other destinations. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long. It is estimated that the Colorado River has been at work for 5 to 6 million years, carving out the canyon. The South Rim is the most visited section of the Grand Canyon and it offers many hiking trails including switchbacks that take you down the canyon. You can take a helicopter tour over the canyon. The following are the best places to view a gorgeous sunrise or sunset: Mather Point, Yaki Point, Hopi Point, Navajo Point, Mohave Point, Lipan Point, Desert View. Some must-see historical buildings are Lookout Studio, Hopi House, Train Depot, Desert View Watchtower. Some well-known hiking trails in the South Kaibab trail, Bright Angel Trail, Hermit’s Rest and the paved 13 miles South Rim trail. The South Kaibab trail will be less crowded since you have to take a shuttle to get their and you can see more views. Your last option is to ride a mule into the canyon. One more astonishing place to go is the Havasupai Falls. There you can see Sinuous Falls. These falls are in the Supai village which is only accessible by an 8-mile hike. This would take you more than one day for the hike to the falls would take too long. Havasupai Falls Arizona is a major destination for hikers who want to visit the blue-green waterfalls. Hidden in the Grand Canyon, and difficult to get reservations for, this paradise is for those who can plan ahead and enjoy hikes. Sources: https://www.discovernavajo.com/antelope-canyon.aspx https://navajotours.com/ https://horseshoebend.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31275-Activities-Marble_Canyon_Arizona.html https://www.nps.gov/glca/index.htm
2 Comments
7/16/2022 12:23:42 pm
The South Kaibab trail will be less crowded since you have to take a shuttle to get their and you can see more views. Your last option is to ride a mule into the canyon. I truly appreciate your great post!
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9/28/2022 01:40:09 am
Havasupai Falls Arizona is a major destination for hikers who want to visit the blue-green waterfalls. I’m so thankful for your helpful post!
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