We had the best tour guide named Armando. He not only played his wooden flute but he enlightened us (and showed a demonstration at the end) on how these slot canyons are formed — through the combination of calcium deposits mixed with iron and the runoff water during flash floods.

I was curious to know how the lower canyon differed from the upper (other than the upper being more typical of tourists to go to). Armando explained that the main difference is that the lower canyon is more narrow at the bottom and gets wider near the top whereas the upper is the opposite. I am really glad we went to the lower — we had a great small group of only 6 people, I liked walking through more narrow sections and there was ample sunlight since it is wider at the top.

These canyons are located in Navajo Nation, just east of Page, AZ. The Navajo named the Lower Canyon “Hazdistazí” which means “spiral rock arches.”

On our way back we stopped to check out the infamous Horseshoe Bend.

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