Canyon wonders

Canyon wonders

The American South-west is best recognised for its diverse landmass of magnificent natural wonders.

Picture spectacular soaring stone arches, dramatic columns of skinny spires of red rock, ultra-deep canyons surrounded by monoliths of rugged mountains and labyrinth of crevasse (or fissures) carved out in a multitude of shapes, designs and hues.

Among the region's famous "residents" are the Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon and, certainly, the Grand Canyon.

Vibrant "hoodoos"

My group of six arrived at Bryce Canyon after a four-hour drive from Arches National Park in Moab, Utah.

Think of Bryce Canyon as a living theatre of geological wonders. Weathering and erosion over millions of years by snow, ice and rain water have sculpted the canyon into a spectacular display of limestone pillars and delicate red rock spires called "hoodoos".

While the park provided free shuttle bus service, we decided to drive.

There are altogether 13 viewing points, with Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration and Bryce Point being the more popular ones.

At Sunset Point, standing in awe on the elevated ground above the canyon, we were blown away by the "Bryce Amphitheatre".

Below our eye level, the unobstructed panoramic view reveals a maze of towering limestone spires glowing in vibrant shades of pink, red, white, orange and yellow colours against the afternoon sun. The whole spectacle was breathtaking and stunning.

There are also gravel tracks you can use to get down to the different levels of the canyon for more close-up views. But the steep incline and loose gravel of the tracks require stamina, dexterity and a good sense of balance.

Sandstone sculptures

Located within the Navajo Indian Reservation near Page in Arizona, the Antelope Canyon is divided into the Upper and Lower Canyon.

Our 90-minute guided tour of the Upper Canyon started with a performance of the Navajo native hoop dance before we were organised into groups of eight to board the four-wheel drive pick-up trucks of the Chief Tsosie tours.

"Buckle up, hang on to the railing and your cap," warned Ms Macaria, our driver-cumguide.

Fifteen minutes later, I was glad to have heeded her warning. The final stretch to the canyon entrance was one of the most bumpy, sandy, dusty and windy rides I had ever experienced.

The awesome sight before us was like an art gallery of stunning sandstone sculptures, except that here the "exhibits" - beautifully crafted designs - are part of the high canyon walls.

Shafts of sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon further accentuated the curves and intricate forms of the rock formation, showing off its magnificence.

The Upper Antelope is on ground level and hence less demanding physically.

However, with a single point for entry and exit, it got crowded and human traffic control and manoeuvring got chaotic. Thankfully, the amazing beauty of the slot canyon adequately made up for that.

Magical spectacle

A Navajo tour guide led our group of about 15 tourists on a 10-minute walk to the lower canyon entrance. We climbed down a narrow metal stairway for the 10m descend into the canyon.

The final stretch was almost vertical, so climbing down can be a challenge for some. But once on the floor, the walk inside the canyon was cool and comfortable.

A separate entrance and exit ensures smooth human traffic and a leisurely walk to appreciate the stunning beauty.

Pose to take photos too because the lower canyon is even more beautiful and striking than the upper regions.

Any which way you look, there are intricate curving, twisting and wavy patterns of natural rock structures in shades of purplish, yellow and orange hues when randomly lit up by sheen of sunlight. A magical spectacle and totally captivating.

Grandest views

We also visited Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend, located near Page.

A man-made lake created from the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam, the blue water of Lake Powell is a popular place for boating and canoeing.

Horseshoe Bend is just a 15-minute drive from town.

From the carpark, the seemingly unimpressive 800m walk on soft sand and in the scorching heat was arduous, offering no visual clue to the beauty awaiting us.

Then this huge canyon opened up before us and at its centre stood a majestic rock structure surrounded by turquoise horseshoe shaped lake. It was a stunning view.

At 446km long and 29km wide, the Grand Canyon needs little introduction.

At Mather Point, we stood in awe of the expansive vistas of rugged reddish rock walls, steep cliff ridges and deep gorges that descended a mile deep into the canyon where the Colorado River flows.

A thick blanket of warm air under the afternoon sun shrouded the canyon, adding a sense of mystique to the already surreal scene.

Guidelines

Getting there

We flew on Cathay Pacific from Singapore to Vancouver. From there, we drove to the Canadian Rockies and the American South-west.

For a more direct route, fly from Singapore to Los Angeles, then take a domestic connection to either Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or Phoenix.

Transport

Buy the US$80 (S$100) "America the Beautiful" annual pass which allows each vehicle multiple entries to all the national parks in the United States.

Take note

Beware of desert heat. Hydrate adequately, protect with sunscreen, long sleeves and hat.

Check online for the latest weather and road closure news, and alternative route information.

This article was published by the Special Projects Unit, Marketing Division, SPH.


This article was first published on Jan 6, 2015.
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