The Return to Buckskin Gulch

By Dallice Tylee

You might remember, after the last post about Buckskin Gulch, when we did not find the fabled "narrows" and indeed didn't find the correct time of day either, that we didn't expect to return anytime soon.

However, a day later, after fortuitously running into other tourists who had hiked the same area, we were advised that the quickest way into the narrows of Buckskin Gulch was from the Wire Pass trail head.  In fact, the narrow portion was reputed to begin less than a mile in from the car park!  We had to give it another shot.

First stop... Breakfast at the Best Western lobby.  I know what you are thinking.  "Again a post about how they made their own stupid waffles!"  No.  That's the thing... I get up to the waffle machine, begin pouring the batter into the little cup and this lady takes the cup from my hand, pours the batter into the waffle iron, flips it, then looks at me and says "don't take it out until you hear the beep!"  Excuse me?!  The control freak in me was going nuts.  Yes, she worked there, but why was she making my waffle? The lady continued to monitor the waffle maker and insist on making everyone's waffles.  Meanwhile, back at the table Mark was smirking, watching me cringe at the lack of control I had to endure.  He didn't even want a waffle until it became a challenge to see if he could make it himself. A minute later I heard him approach waffle lady and say "I can make my own waffle.  I have done it before."  And just like that, he took control of the waffle iron!  I was a little bit jealous.

Then we were off to Buckskin Gulch again.  Shortly after leaving the car at the trail head we entered what we assumed was the narrow area we had searched for the other day.

We had underestimated the glory of the geography and luckily chose to keep hiking when the canyon widened again.

One slot canyon led to another, each more dramatic and photogenic than the last.  It was not the easy hike that Sunday's hike had been... Open, flat and easy terrain to navigate.  This end of the hike rapidly evolved into cool darkness.  At times we had to drop over three foot high boulders and slide down the occasional log ladder.  More than once I wondered if returning the same way was going to be more difficult.  Not that the thought stopped me.

On the bright side, the path less traveled was truly quiet. Apart from a handful of enthusiastic photographers, there was no-one but us.  The path opened up to a majestic cathedral-like formation and the trail ended at a T.  At this point we knew turning left would soon take us to the fateful spot were Mark and had gobbled down pistachios and bananas just two days previous, then turned back.

The next quarter mile was more slot canyon delight and probably another 200 photos.  Then it was time to turn back.  Hard to imagine, but we pictured this hike as just a quick jaunt and didn't pack snacks.  Yikes!

Back up log ladder, over the boulders, through the narrows and along the river bed... 90 minutes later, in the car and bouncing along the dirt road back toward Page.  A large sandwich and a larger ice cream sundae awaited.  I was starving, plus I now had thoughts of an afternoon flight over Bryce Canyon dancing in my head.   :-)

There is nothing quite like a flight to make good day into a spectacular day.
Did I mention we planned our sunset to be viewed from Bryce Canyon?

 

 

My favorite thing about sunset flights.... By increasing altitude, you can rewind a sunset and play it again!

What a wonderful way to end a scenic vacation in Utah/Arizona.

P.S.  If you missed the other 3 posts from this flying adventure, you can check them out here:
1.  Over the hills and far away...
2.  The time warp in Buckskin Gulch
3.  Monument Valley at sunrise is just the beginning

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I provide the latest market information, straight forward advice and the highest standards of service. If you refer your friends and family to me, I promise to make you proud, to exceed expectations and never give you a moments doubt that it was the right thing to do for them.

You can reach Dallice at (303)746-6765.

Monument Valley at Sunrise is just the Beginning!

By Dallice Tylee

5:30 AM never feels great when the alarm goes off.  The struggle to get up and moving is only balanced by the promise of adventure in the sky.  Motivation is gathered from anticipation ... of beautiful colors, glorious silhouettes and photos to remember it by.

Mark and I had a plan.  Wheels up by 6 AM at Page would put us at Monument Valley right around sunrise at 6:30 AM.  We had seen where Monument Valley was in relation to Kalenta Airport and flew in the general direction needed.  Both of us figuring that the iconic rock formations would be pretty obvious as we got closer.  And they were.

Right on schedule, N303B and the first rays of sun arrived at Monument Valley simultaneously.
Stunning!  We took turns flying and shooting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the day wasn't over yet.  We refueled with breakfast back at the Best Western, taking particular pride in our waffle expertise, then took some time out to organize pictures.  The sleepiness of the early rise had not yet caught up... Or perhaps it was that we were excited about the next event.  

We were picked up 10 minutes late.  At 1:10 PM the truck roared into the parking lot.  After climbing into the back and seating ourselves on the bench seat next to some German tourists, we buckled up.  One seat belt per two people!  I wondered if we really even needed a seat belt... until our Navajo guide and driver left the main road and proceeded to fly down a sandy river bed.  Dust filled the air and our lungs.  We bounced up and down, restrained thank goodness, by the seat belt built for two.

Shortly thereafter, we arrived at what can only be described as "the end of the road" - the place where the the river bed, at times 75 feet wide, became just 3 feet wide and entered the Upper Antelope (slot) Canyon.  There were a half a dozen other vehicles already here.

Entering the slot canyon

And in we went.  

Our guide was an expert in her field.  With all the stories and history the Navajo people have to offer, she herded the 6 of us inside.  Every so often stopping to show us what would make a great photograph, giving us camera-specific advice and pointing out shapes and shadows with their respective Navajo names.  Some of the shapes were only recognizable when viewed as photographs!

"The Heart"

"The Bear"

"Monument Valley"

As beautiful as I thought this canyon tour was, apparently the best time to visit is when the sun is directly overhead.  Midday, middle of summer.  At this time the tour is famous for the "beam of light" that reaches the sandy floor of the canyon.

Like any place that narrows to little more than a shoulder width, there are rules that make it possible for multiple groups to visit at the same time.  Its a one-way photo tour.  On the way through there are plenty of opportunities to stop and photograph.

At the end of the canyon our guide took out her musical pipe and played for us.  Sweet traditional Navajo melodies played on a rock, in the sun.

On the way back, its a non-stop walk, with reminders to be respectful of the people who are on the photography leg of their tour.

Antelope Canyon, located in Navajo Nation, is magical place.  I would go back.... In fact, lower Antelope Canyon still calls, so I guess I will be back!



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I provide the latest real estate market information, straight forward advice and the highest standards of service. If you refer your friends and family to me, I promise to make you proud, to exceed expectations and never give you a moments doubt that it was the right thing to do for them.

You can reach Dallice at (303)746-6765.