We had reserved to be on a tour of three canyon formations which turned out to be essentially a private tour because no one else showed up – despite it being a pleasant sunday in August. On the flip side, we did get to experience the beautiful area at our own pace, and never felt hurried.
The easy part of the hummer drive into canyonlands
Starting from the city of Page, we drove into Navajo land inside a ‘Hummer’, which we soon found out – was likely the only large vehicle which could get us around the area. The tour owners had an exclusive contract with the Navajo tribe head which allowed them access to this private land. To get a sense of where these canyons were located, take a look at this short video :
And when the guide was just getting around (and not climbing steep slopes), this is what a drive around felt like :
Getting into the canyons
This canyon hiking was incredible. We had to climb and jump, crawl, balance and suspend our weight between two canyon walls to squeeze through, and find our own “best” way to solve each situation – we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Climbing Secret canyon, arizona
This is what walking through some of the passages felt like :
Walking through Secret Canyon
At many points, it was quite literally ‘raining sand’ – very fine sand, and here Priya’s telling me to protect and cover the camera, as we look above at a strange formation.
The perfect setting for creative framing! Just keep your camera protected from all the dust flying around…
“Whose is the hand that has painted the glow?”
Saving the moment
Walking around Navajo land
The naturally sculpted boulders of the beautiful Passage Canyon, Arizona
One of my favorite silhouette shots. Getting out of passage canyon
I loved the play of light here. It changed at times more than once within a minute, forcing me to meter the shot again. The same place could have fifty different equally “true” representations over the course of the day. If this is a visual treat, you may be able to imagine what it must have been like to be there seeing it in person…
Delighted to be here!
Another abstract
Vertical shot of sun beam on wall of passage canyon, Arizona. I loved the play of light here. It changed at times more than once within a minute, forcing me to meter the shot again. The same place could have fifty different equally “true” representations over the course of the day. If this is a visual treat, you may be able to imagine what it must have been like to be there seeing it in person…
An abstract shot with strong black and red contrasts, taken inside Staircase canyon, Arizona
Taking a break – super-dry areas, we needed water all the time
Vegetation near the Canyons in Arizona
Another abstract
We were back by late afternoon, and felt as if we’d been on the most visually intense and differently beautiful immersions in the great workshop of Nature.
After a relaxed lunch, we began our journey to the Canyonlands national park, our last exploration of this kind of area and geology before heading up north to the utterly magnificent Yellowstone park.
Loved these scenic drives !
The never-ending roads of Utah. Such a joy!
Other parts of this road-trip
- 1. Heading to the Sand dunes of Colorado
- 2. Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge and the Colorado’s horseshoe bend
- 3. The incredible secret canyons of Arizona – Passage, Staircase and Secret canyon
- 4. Visiting Canyonlands and Arches national park
- 5. Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks
