Antelope Canyon Through the Years

Antelope Canyon (2011, Nikon D700).

Antelope Canyon. The name evokes images of a deep and colorful slot canyon with beams of light illuminating the dark interior. It really is an amazing place and many people want to visit it and get a photograph. Years ago, visitors were few; today the number of visitors is so great that restrictions on photography have become necessary. Tripods are no longer allowed and the “photographer tour” is a thing of the past. Stopping for more than a few minutes in any spot is discouraged and your guide will keep you moving.

If only everyone could experience it the way it once was: a leisurely walk through the canyon with time to stop and embrace the beauty of the canyon and take a few unhurried photographs.

I have visited Antelope Canyon several times with the earliest visit in 2000, followed by visits in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011. The last two were shot using digital cameras; the others were shot using film.

After reading that the tours had changed a few years ago I took another look at some of the photos that I had taken. Here is a small subset of those photographs of the canyon over the years.

Upper Antelope Canyon (2000, Kodachrome 64).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2000, Kodachrome 64).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2000, Kodachrome 64).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2000, Kodachrome 64).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2004, Fuji Provia).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2004, Fuji Provia).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2004, Fuji Provia).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2004, Fuji Provia).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2004, Fuji Provia).
Upper Antelope Canyon (2004, Fuji Provia).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2006, Fuji Velvia 50).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2009, Panasonic Lumix FZ18).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2009, Panasonic Lumix FZ18).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2009, Panasonic Lumix FZ18).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2009, Panasonic Lumix FZ18).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2011, Nikon D700).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2011, Nikon D700).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2011, Nikon D700).
Lower Antelope Canyon (2011, Nikon D700).

Coyote Buttes and The Wave

My first and only visit to Coyote Buttes and The Wave was in June 2004. A coworker had permits for two back-to-back days but was unable to use them. The BLM permit system was quite different then from what it is now. Getting multiple-day permits was not unusual. Nowadays, getting a permit at all requires a fair bit of luck and perseverance.  I consider myself fortunate to have had a chance to visit this amazing location.

Coyote Buttes North.
Coyote Buttes North.

We arrived at the trailhead in mid-day with temperatures, as I recall, in the upper ’90s. It was mid-June and the North American Monsoon and rainy season had not started. Even so, there were clouds and a few rain showers in the area.

Pools of water near Coyote Buttes.
Pools of water near Coyote Buttes.
Narrow passageways at Coyote Buttes.
Narrow passageways at Coyote Buttes.
Textured landforms at Coyote Buttes.
Textured landforms at Coyote Buttes.

We hiked out to the rocks and made good time arriving in the late afternoon. There were a few other visitors but they left after a short time and we had the place to ourselves for the next several hours. Really—there was no one else there. Hard to believe!

Drifted sand at Coyote Buttes.
Drifted sand at Coyote Buttes.
Clouds and showers develop around Coyote Buttes.
Clouds and showers develop around Coyote Buttes.

We wandered around for hours taking photographs and picnicking and enjoying the solitude. For a few brief moments, one of the rain showers produced a rainbow but I was too slow to move the camera gear and get the shot.

Clouds drift away and the sun returns in late afternoon at Coyote Buttes.
Clouds drift away and the sun returns in late afternoon at Coyote Buttes.
Afternoon sun makes shadows on the walls.
Afternoon sun makes shadows on the walls.
Surfing The Wave.
Surfing The Wave.

As the sun dropped in the west and temperatures began to cool we finally left and began the hike back to the car. Somewhere along the way we realized we were on a different trail—or perhaps no trail at all—but our starting point was still obvious and we continued on.

Flower petals in sand.
Flower petals in sand.
Late afternoon light illuminates the rocks on our hike out of Coyote Buttes.
Late afternoon light illuminates the rocks on our hike out of Coyote Buttes.
The old sign showing trails to Coyote Buttes and Buckskin Gulch.
The old sign showing trails to Coyote Buttes and Buckskin Gulch.

The next morning we decided we did not want or need to hike out there again so we did not use our 2nd day permit. Instead, we travelled down Buckskin Gulch—a place we had heard about but not yet had a chance to explore. It was a great hike and we did not regret our choice.

Here are photographs (shot on Fuji Provia slide film and recently scanned) from the afternoon that we spent at Coyote Buttes and The Wave.