Planning a trip in September for Antelope Canyon have a few questions:
1. Is taking the tour with a guide my best bet?
2. Which is better for photographing (Upper or Lower)?
1. no
2. Lower, in my opinion, is better for a couple of reasons. The first being that it will be a lot less crowded, though in September, that may not be as much of a problem.
Lower is more difficult to traverse because it's windy and narrow and steep in places (but there are stairs or ladders for that) and this means fewer tourists. But don't be put off, anyone who is reasonably healthy can handle it.
Secondly, I just think Lower is a bit more interesting.
That being said, if you're in Page for a couple of days, why not do both? There's no reason to hire a guide. At upper, they drive you to the opening and you just walk in. At lower, the opening is within a few feet. They show it to you and off you go. Plus, at lower, they're happy to answer any of your questions so there's really no need to have anyone to guide you.
Both canyons are relatively short and there's only one way to go
Upper is easier to carry gear in, but it's not that hard in Lower, unless you're carrying a giant LowePro Super Trekker. I've taken my ProTrekker down there. A little tight but ok. A padded vest or a small pack is ideal. You only really need a wide angle, a medium range zoom and maybe even a short tele in the 80-200 range.
If I remember correctly, it costs about $18 per person at Lower and a bit more at Upper. I should remember that, I was just there in April.
Ah the mind....what a terrible thing to....what was I saying?
Rod has covered it very well. I might add you can do both in the same day but do upper first lower is more complex and has greater variety.
Posted by Skip Layman on July 15, 2006 at 11:57 AM
If you go to Upper, try to avoid the noon hours when photographers flock to the canyon to get the famous "shaft of light shot". Unless you really have to have this icon, there is wonderful soft light later in the afternoon (after 2PM) and the crowds are gone, You can set up your tripod and shoot at leisure.
go to the Dam museum/visitor's center!
Go to the old western movies site!
Go to lunch!
Posted by Jack Graham on July 16, 2006 at 12:46 PM
Dan,
The rest of the time??????---Check out Horseshoe Bend ( about 3-4 miles outside Page.--heading west) , ..... Vermilion Cliffs makes great sunrise. About an hr. north into Utah ---check out the back road heading east ( I think) of Big Water. Also north of there a little bit is Coral Pink Sand Dune State Park..
You can get some good views of Gunsight Butte( Lake Powell ) and many many other rock formations from the Utah side of the lake looking south.
Discussion
7 replies1. Is taking the tour with a guide my best bet?
2. Which is better for photographing (Upper or Lower)?
2. Lower, in my opinion, is better for a couple of reasons. The first being that it will be a lot less crowded, though in September, that may not be as much of a problem.
Lower is more difficult to traverse because it's windy and narrow and steep in places (but there are stairs or ladders for that) and this means fewer tourists. But don't be put off, anyone who is reasonably healthy can handle it.
Secondly, I just think Lower is a bit more interesting.
That being said, if you're in Page for a couple of days, why not do both? There's no reason to hire a guide. At upper, they drive you to the opening and you just walk in. At lower, the opening is within a few feet. They show it to you and off you go. Plus, at lower, they're happy to answer any of your questions so there's really no need to have anyone to guide you.
Both canyons are relatively short and there's only one way to go
Upper is easier to carry gear in, but it's not that hard in Lower, unless you're carrying a giant LowePro Super Trekker. I've taken my ProTrekker down there. A little tight but ok. A padded vest or a small pack is ideal. You only really need a wide angle, a medium range zoom and maybe even a short tele in the 80-200 range.
If I remember correctly, it costs about $18 per person at Lower and a bit more at Upper. I should remember that, I was just there in April.
Ah the mind....what a terrible thing to....what was I saying?
Guy
Go to the old western movies site!
Go to lunch!
The rest of the time??????---Check out Horseshoe Bend ( about 3-4 miles outside Page.--heading west) , ..... Vermilion Cliffs makes great sunrise. About an hr. north into Utah ---check out the back road heading east ( I think) of Big Water. Also north of there a little bit is Coral Pink Sand Dune State Park..
You can get some good views of Gunsight Butte( Lake Powell ) and many many other rock formations from the Utah side of the lake looking south.
There's endless things to shoot in the area.
JG