Slot Canyon #4 - Lower Antelope Canyon

I approached this canyon with a sense of adventure and excitement.   I was a little anxious about it even when I was looking it up online - this is the canyon where 11 tourists died in 1997 because of a flash flood.  There was a memorial plaque near the entrance of the canyon and all who entered were told the scary story of how this happened.  Very little rain fell on the canyon that day but a thunderstorm earlier in the day had dumped large amounts of water seven miles upstream.  Apparently the group was warned that the flood was coming through but the guide was not a local guide and did not heed the warning as they did not see the water.  The homemade wood stairs (since replaced) were washed away with the flash flood and the group had no means of escape.   Our guide showed us the now secured ladders in addition to 10 boxes containing rope ladders along the canyon side that could be released if a flash flood occurs.  

Lower Antelope Canyon, called Hazdistazi or "sprial rock arches" in Navajo, is the deepest and, in my opinion, the most beautiful canyon in the group with spectacular swirls - you can almost see the water whirling through and carving the spirals in the canyon.  The fact that it is all underground made it even more awesome - once you're down there, you're in a different world and you forgot yourself.  It was breathtakingly beautiful with a view around every corner.    See for yourself...

The entrance is most unusual - guess which is the right hole?

and this is how you get in - how would you know that without a guide?!  No need to answer - they won't let you in without one.

Squeeze through then there are steps - much easier than I expected...

This photo gives you a sense of what it feels like when you're down there surrounded by these swirly rocks

Then it goes on and on and on...

You're surrounded...

it's like walking through a dreamscape...

Finally, the way up!

Here's looking back at where we came out -

And beyond - the basin where the water would come out...

It is truly amazing!