Local photographer spends a day in a slot canyon

Photos by Aaron Newman ©

In the Northern most parts of Arizona lies some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

From the Navajo and Hopi reservations to Lake Powell and Lake Mead; this area offers rich history and a wealth of physical beauty.

A trip to this region completed one of every photographer’s dreams, to shoot the slot canyons near Page. The most common of these slot canyons are Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, which are famous for spectacular sandstone formations and light tubes.

Both of these were on my list as, was the famous Horsehoe Bend and the limited access Canyon X.
I booked a photography tour for Upper Antelope Canyon. This allowed several hours inside the canyon instead of the 45 minutes one gets on a regular tour. Lower Antelope can be self guided, or a local Navajo will guide you.

Both of these canyons were worth the trip alone, but I was most eager to visit Canyon X.

Canyon X was discovered a few years ago by a Navajo family who owns the surrounding land. Overland Canyon Tours takes visitors to this wonderful place, but no more six people per day.

The photography tour of Canyon X runs five to six hours for $150 and includes transportation to and from the Canyon, a sack lunch and a professional photographer as a guide. In our case, it was the very accomplished Jackson Bridges.

Upon walking into these slot canyons you are instantly in awe of the magnitude in size, the amazing colors and formations. Because you are essentially underground the canyons temperature is a fairly constant and cool 60 degrees in the summer.

The sandstone walls tower above you, in some places with heights of more than 60 feet. There is evidence of dangerous flash flood waters with trees and railroad timbers lodged 20 feet above the canyon floor and the walls and floor are void of vegetation, animal, and even insects.

The slot canyons in the Page area are some of the greatest sites to see, not only in Arizona but in the world.

Photos by Aaron Newman ©