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Slot Canyons in the Utah SW Grand Circle of National Parks
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Jul 25, 2019 10:36:45   #
PHOTOAL
 
In mid August my wife and I will be taking two of our grandchildren - 12/10 to southern Utah to do the circle of Parks, Zion, Bryce, Coral Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, etc... I have studied quite extensively Upper and Lower Antelope and Canyon X. My issue arises about having to make reservations for these to be able to see them. We have a plan but the timeline will be based on numerous items that it would be hard for us to actually pick a time to set up a reservation. I am leaning on Canyon X only because of the crowds and better opportunities for capturing the images that I wish to capture. Since so many of you have already experienced this beautiful area I was hoping that there might be some other slot canyons that you experienced outside of the Tourist Traps that will provide some of the same experience without going through all of the hassles of a reservation. I have found a few but the knowledge of UHHer's would really help me in locating slot canyons away from the crowded Antelopes. Might add that hiking is not an issue for us so if we needed to that it would be fine. Thank You for any info that will be provided.

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Jul 25, 2019 10:44:55   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
So it appears you want our help breaking the law. Gaining access to park lands “without the hassle of a reservation”? Which terrorist organization did you say you were with?

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Jul 25, 2019 10:56:32   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
rjaywallace wrote:
So it appears you want our help breaking the law. Gaining access to park lands “without the hassle of a reservation”? Which terrorist organization did you say you were with?


No, I don't think he's asking to break the law. He's asking if there are any Slot Canyons or the like in the area not encompassed by the Navajo Reservation and any that are not over run by tourists like Antelope Canyon is. In National Parks, you usually don't need a reservation....on the 'Res' you do.

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Jul 25, 2019 11:02:29   #
BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan
 
Note to correct: Did you mean Capitol Reef, not "Coral"?

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Jul 25, 2019 11:02:52   #
PHOTOAL
 
Wow Ralph that is not my intention at all. Where you got that out of what I wrote makes me wonder what planet you are living on. What I wish to know is that if there is any slot canyons out there that can be seen without having to make reservations at the Antelopes. Blaster34 understands what I am looking for.

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Jul 25, 2019 11:04:12   #
PHOTOAL
 
Sorry, yes Capital Reef. Been watching too much shark stuff on NGC.

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Jul 25, 2019 11:37:02   #
saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee
 
I have seen some great images of slot canyons in the Grand Staircase Escalante Nat. Mon. If you google it I think you will find some opportunities that are not nearly as crowded as Antelope but are harder to get to. The Grand Staircase is a huge area and many of the roads off the state highways are rough.

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Jul 25, 2019 12:41:54   #
PHOTOAL
 
Thank You for that info. I will do some research.

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Jul 26, 2019 06:39:41   #
ka5ysy
 
Some things to be aware of:

That area is so amazing that planning anything in a timeline is not going to survive the first stop. Photo ops are literally everywhere.

The crown situation depends on where you happen to be and varies greatly . The interesting thing to note is that the crowds are mostly unwilling to walk any great distances so if you hike out a bit you will discover wilderness without huge crowds.

Some safety considerations :

First and foremost, do not wander far off the marked trails without proper gear like a GPS, compass and maybe a topo map. It is very easy in many locations to get disoriented and totally lost unless you are paying close attention to navigation.

Second: you are in high dessert plateaus or canyons. Take lots of water if hiking. Invest in some Camelback or equivalent hydration packs if you intend to walk anywhere. Take more water than you think you will need. Dehydration is rapid and not noticed because of low humidity there. That can turn a nice day hike into a deadly situation quickly.

Cellphones will not have a signal in many areas there. Never rely on them for emergency calling in the wilderness areas . Satellite phones or emergency rescue beacons are the only reliable possibility of rescue.

Slot canyons have a unique danger most hikers are unaware of: thunderstorms in the area can cause instant flash floods that have killed hikers caught in the canyons without a way to get clear quickly. The storms may not be close to the hiking areas and the first warning is the wall of water rushing at you with frightening speed . Pay close attention to area weather forecasts anytime you plan on hiking into a slot canyon. If any doubt, stay out.

Finally : if you meet the age requirement (65) purchase one of the national park lifetime passes. Since you will be touring multiple national parks in the area you will save a bunch of money on admissions.

Have a great trip and stay safe out there 👌

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Jul 26, 2019 06:59:09   #
gorgehiker Loc: Lexington, Ky
 
We were near Kanab last Spring and arranged a tour of Mystical Slot Canyon with Dreamland Safari Tours. They were very nice and knowledgeabe. They may or may not be able to offer some schedule flexibility. If not, they may be able to provide some good info. Apologies for rjaywallace's rude comment.

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Jul 26, 2019 07:42:56   #
ChazT Loc: Florida
 
Here's a link you might find useful. https://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/index.html

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Jul 26, 2019 08:25:09   #
ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin
 
We found Canyon X a very good experience that was easily booked and at a better price then other Antelope Canyon tours, just a FYI....

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Jul 26, 2019 08:47:47   #
knessr
 
General rule of thumb out here in the desert is when you have used up half your water, turn around and go back. Don't try to be a hero and tough it out. The desert will win every time.

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Jul 26, 2019 09:20:27   #
PHOTOAL
 
Thank You everybody for your very useful information. We will be staying in Kanab so I will definitely be looking them up. Also Thank You for the safety warnings. I will be sure to heed them. I have not seen anything in my research on Mystical Slot Canyon so I will certainly look that up.

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Jul 26, 2019 09:25:33   #
ColoPete
 
ka5ysy wrote:
Some things to be aware of:

***

Finally : if you meet the age requirement (65) purchase one of the national park lifetime passes. Since you will be touring multiple national parks in the area you will save a bunch of money on admissions.

Have a great trip and stay safe out there 👌


All excellent advice. One minor correction is that the age requirement for the lifetime pass is 62, and they are good at all federal lands, such as National Forests, Wildlife Refuges, Monuments, and Parks. Mine paid for itself in the first month. Best deal in outdoor recreation.

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