Marnie aka Doe; Yep, can't be more than 5 miles or so. It is in a desert area though. It doesn't look like much from the top, but when you go in it, wow, unbelievable. The colors really pop depending on what time of the day you are in there. I think early morning is suppose to be the best although I was in there in June (last year) around 2 pm and it was pretty nice then as well.
There are two different slots - upper and lower -one is longer than the other - both are challenging - climbing skills would be helpful. There is a charge - I think our kids got in for free (after we talked to the guides for a time) and it must have been about $25 or so for the permit. Worthwhile, IMNSHO. We didn't have a guide past taking us to the entrance and no Jeep, just a rent a car. Lake Powell itself is very nice - such a deep blue next to the reddish stones - very vibrant color contrast. We toured the inside of the dam, on top of which you can get some neat snaps. We found a lodge that had a giant water trampoline and kayaks on lake Powell that my kids enjoyed immensely. Looking back at my photos, some other nice places: Red Rock Canyon - Birdseye Trail. this is right near Bryce, very easy to overlook, but you can climb straight up some beautiful cliffs and take some very nice pictures being right on top of the formations. Personally, Bryce was a bit of a letdown, but we were very tired by this point and did not have time to really see it properly. Lenox Crater, AZ. Wow, black cinders and ancient craters! Very strange to see old lava flows in the middle of Arizona. One super tough climb if you want to take it, many easier ones. Amazing contrast with the rest of the state. Not to mention the Petrified forest, (the Badlands are nearby this is also very nice, not the Badlands of South Dakota) and all the old pueblos you can shake a stick at (liked Tuzigoot a bit more than some of the others). Being a native of Ohio, well, we just don't see things like this everyday. I do not know if we have any list members who actually live in that area, but maybe they could add a few comments. If you are looking at AZ, I know the terrain is very different in the south verses the north. Much cooler in the north Has to do with elevation, I believe. To me, the area around Sedona and to the north of it are very different from the rest of the state. Phoenix and Tuscon, in comparison, are pits of fire. Dave Marnie aka Doe said: So Antelope Valley is near Glen Canyon? (I was thinking it was somewhere else entirely). It's one thing I haven't seen. I am taking a trip to the Southwest next spring to check out possible cities to move to. Maybe I can take a small detour for some photography. Where exactly is it? Thanks. It looks totally cool (from some photographs I've seen.) Does one need a jeep? Does one need to hire a guide? Marnie aka Doe __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
