Slot Canyon

Yesterday we got up early and drove into Kanab to pick up a 4X4 tour that would take us to a slot canyon and hike it.  We had the luck of the owner of the tour company as our guide and after we picked up 4 more people, off we went to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon about 10 miles from our camp sight.  I read that the beginning of June 2 men had hiked into the canyon, got lost, and had to get rescued out, and also that this trail is not recommended for regular vehicles due to the depth of the sand.  So - we have never done this before - paid someone to take us where we wanted to go.  Well worth our money!  When we got to the entrance of the trail, Will (tour guide) got out and lowered the pressure of the tires - said that it provides better traction.  Wow did we slip and slide up and over  sand dunes.  Fun for me - I was in the very back of the vehicle.  After 5 miles in we got out and started on the trek into the canyon. And first thing off - a big rattle snake sitting at the entrance staring at us.  We quickly got around it and continued no the path, Will saying he was going to move it when we came back - didn't want anyone else coming through to meet up with that and possibly get bit. Was the canyon  AMAZING!!! Since it was early sunrise, the colors were so dramatic bouncing off the sides down into the slot. Dave was in his glory - where to take pictures.  And me too - I would come around a small curve and bam!  The colors, the light, and we came across a Sphynix Moth - rarely seen - and so pretty!  

Will believes this canyon was formed by the Kanab river way back thousands of years ago.  When there is lots of rain, this canyon fills with water and you better not be inside! At some points the canyon is 200 feet deep - look at the bottom right picture and you get a feel as to how big it is - see the man in there?  And so much cooler.  This canyon is made out of sandstone, hardened over time, and the water washes a little bit of it away each time. The colors were spectacular - oranges, melons, yellows, grays, brown, just gorgeous.  Very easy walk - about 1/2 mile in length one way into the canyon and at the end where we could not go further - you see Will shinnying up the wall - did you see the movie "127 Hours"? That guy was doing the same thing - shinnying up the wall to get over and threw over a line to help himself when the boulder moved and fell down, trapping his arm - well, you see the movie and find out what happens.  Anyhow - we told Will to get down - we got the picture (dah).  After returning back to the beginning, Will got a long stick and got the rattler out of the way - walked it out of the canyon and Dave and Will put the rattler in a pouch and they strapped it on the top of the vehicle.  About 2 miles coming out of the canyon, Will stopped and Dave and Will took it to a sand dune and released it.

Since we had a little bit if time left in the tour, Will took us on two little side trips.  One stop was an Anasazi's grain storage area - seems these people were related to the ancient people of the 4 corners area - Mesa Verde is one large settlement.  He said lots of these sights can be found all through the canyons from Kanab to Mesa Verde. He also took us to Angel's Canyon where there are petroglyphs on rocks that he pointed out.  This is also where Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is - the largest no-kill shelter for animals.  This place is enormous!   Great day for us - would do this again in a heartbeat!