Denver Home Living Huettner Capital Fall 2018 | Page 7

T
aking a road trip is not only an American tradition
but it also provides fantastic opportunities to see
miles of the awe-inspiring beauty of the American
Southwest. There is no better example of that than
a trip from Denver to Page, Arizona, located about
two hours north of Flagstaff. Page acts as a great launchpad to
the area’s many attractions, including Lake Powell, Glen Canyon
Dam, Horseshoe Bend, and other sights.
While Page, bordering both Arizona and Utah, is physically close
to the age-old natural wonders that surround it, the town itself is
relatively new. Established in 1957 as a planned community to
temporarily house workers building the Glen Canyon Dam, the small
town stayed and flourished, now housing nearly 8,000 residents.
While it is less well-known than other Arizona destinations, Page
received some noteworthy accolades in 2017, including being named
one of Smithsonian’s “20 Best Small Towns,” Expedia’s “34 Most
Breathtaking Places in North America,” and Millennial Personal
Finance’s “Best Cities for Outdoor Lovers.”
PAGE'S AMAZING SIGHTS:
Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge. Located just two miles from Page
are the shores of Lake Powell, the second-largest man-made lake in
the country after Lake Mead, stretching over 266 square miles and
nearly 600 feet at its deepest point. There are a number of ways to
enjoy the lake, from renting a houseboat for a week to easy panoramic
boat cruises, dinner cruises, and destination cruises. The most popular
option is the Rainbow Bridge tour, which takes you to the world’s
tallest natural bridge, a magnificent structure comprised of rock
formations that originated millions of years ago as simple sand dunes.
Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge. Holding back the Colorado River to
create Lake Powell is Glen Canyon Dam. It stands 560 feet above the
river but has a total height of 710 feet when measured down to the
bedrock foundation. The dam can hold back nine billion gallons of
water. The bridge offers great views of the dam and the river, which
is 700 feet below.
7
Horseshoe Bend. A few miles south of Page and just downstream
from Glen Canyon Dam is iconic Horseshoe Bend, a circular canyon
created by the Colorado River. A flat, 1.5-mile round-trip hike will
take you to the canyon rim standing 1,000 feet above the river.
While you do not need reservations, this is an incredibly popular and
crowded area during much of the year.
Tower Butte. This remarkable natural canyon formation is accessible
only by helicopter. Landing atop Tower Butte—a massive rock
pillar extending nearly a mile upwards from the ground—gives
you breathtaking panoramic views over thousands of square miles.
Tours include flying over Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, Lake
Powell, and Antelope Canyon, although that canyon’s treasures are
hidden from above.
Antelope Canyon. Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are two of the
most amazing places you may ever see in your life. These slot canyons,
formed by wind and air carving through the sandstone year after
year, are simply incredible works of nature, where the sunlight beams
down in shafts of light and bounces off the canyon walls, creating
colors and tones that are so perfect, they don’t look real. The upper
canyon, known for its light beams, is more cavernous and has a flat
sand surface for easy hiking. The lower portion, which is arguably
more beautiful overall, is more physically challenging and requires
climbing up and down ladders and navigating winding corridors with
some narrow walls. There are other less-crowded slot canyon tours
available as well. Be aware that every tour in this area requires a guide
and should be booked weeks, if not months, in advance.
There are also plenty of great sightseeing destinations you can visit
on your way to Page and back to Denver. Driving along I-70 allows
you to visit Arches, Moab, Canyonlands, and Monument Valley.
Traveling through southwest Colorado, you can see the Black Canyon
of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Four Corners, and Shiprock. Extend
your trip another day or two and you can add the Grand Canyon,
Vermilion Cliffs, Capital Reef, Zion, and even Las Vegas and Lake
Mead. Regardless of the path you choose, we guarantee that you
won’t be disappointed.