Sometimes, just sometimes, you should take an unexpected adventure! My wife and I were on the tail end of a 7 day trip out West. We started in Las Vegas and migrated to Page, Arizona for the final 2 days. While there we decided to visit Marble Canyon. Something to know about me: I am a MAJOR planner, mostly because I never want to get home and discover I missed something I could have seen! However, in my plans I always allow for some good old fashion spontaneous exploration. Marble Canyon was not on my schedule, but I needed to make some last minute adjustments. My wife is not as passionate a hiker as I am and quite honestly I had exhausted ALL of her hiking grace! In my defense, I couldn't help myself. Arizona, Utah and Nevada are irresistible eye candy for Nature Lovers. Some places required very little hiking for euphoric scenery while many others required some endurance. I chose a solid mixture of the two leaning heavily on the easy side. But on this, the last day of our time in Page, Miss Thangs feet had reached their limit. My husbandly compromise was a drive along Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Highway. Most views could easily be seen from the car or roadside overlook, but to my surprise she remained open to a spontaneous hike IF we stumbled upon something worthy of the effort. Well, Cathedral Wash Canyon was such a hike. [ THE EXPERIENCE ] We had no idea how long of a hike it would be or what we would see, but the portion visible from the road made the decision to explore it an easy choice. We did not complete the entire 1.5 miles one way from the trailhead to the Colorado River. We only did about half that, but what we did hike was absolutely fantastic! The beautifully layered coloring and texture enveloped us like a warm hug. The young explorer inside me felt very much like Indiana Jones while the adult man on the outside relished in seeing this gorgeous creation with his wife and amazing friend of 25 years (27 together). When you love someone, it is an indescribable feeling to visually witnessing their eyes lite up as they experience new and wondrous things. Our ENTIRE trip had many moments like that, but especially everything we experienced on the drive from Vegas to Page. I honestly don't know how anyone can question if there is a God when you walk breathtaking creation with the love of your life by your side. Just beyond the midpoint we turned back as the canyon grew deeper and more rugged. Others returning from the end of the trail confirmed as much, but a video I found online made me wish we had continued. As spectacular as the portion we hiked looked, the second half was even more majestic and grand as the canyon grew deeper and its walls taller! I wish I had seen this video prior to our visit because I wouldn't have foolishly assumed the second half of the trail was the same as the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxeiFOafJy8 [ PARKING & OTHER THINGS TO DO ] Parking is ample for about a dozen cars. The trail begins on the opposite side of the road from the actual slot canyon via a large drainage opening below Lees Ferry Road. Cost to enter Lees Ferry Road is $35/car at a self service kiosk. It was a cost that almost turned me away until a couple (OUT OF NOWHERE) pulled up beside our car and paid our entrance fee. Sound unbelievable? We couldn't believe it either! Also along this 5.5 mile road is BALANCED ROCK, PARIA BEACH, SPENCER TRAIL - a 4.4 mile hike to a spectacular overlook at the end of the road, and HISTORIC NAVAJO BRIDGE and Interpretive Center at the beginning. Nearby is BADGER CREEK CANYON, an erosion canyon near the start of the Grand Canyon complex. Be warned: it requires climbing gear and repelling skills. You need some expertise to navigate that trail because it is not for the casual hiker! [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] Whether you do the entire 3 miles round trip from the trailhead to the Colorado River or just the first half where the trail is easiest and flattest, CATHEDRAL WASH SLOT CANYON is sure to please. We encounter a young family with elementary school age children coming from the harder section unharmed, so I think its safe to say the entire trail is family friendly. ENJOY! 2023 / 6 read more

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My husband and I found this trail while driving along Lees Ferry Road in the Vermillion Cliffs area. We saw a few people hiking the canyon and decided to join the party. We didn't complete the entire trail which leads all the way to the Colorado River, but we did hike the majority of it up until it became more rugged and rough. We had done a lot of hiking during our vacation and honestly my feet were ready to fall off my body in protest. Still, the portion of the canyon we completed was an easy hike. Very picturesque with pretty rocks and interesting textures. The whole area reminded me of a layered sponge cake or Neapolitan ice cream. I actually got hungry walking the trail, lol read more

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