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Grand Canyon 2019

A Travel Diary

Grand Canyon 2019

The Grand Canyon, Page & Sedona — July 2019

191Photographs
6Days
6Places
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Big country

A week through the red-rock heart of the American Southwest: the impossible scale of the Grand Canyon (from the rim and from a helicopter), the perfect U-turn of Horseshoe Bend, the blue maze of Lake Powell, the glowing walls of Antelope Canyon, and the red buttes of Sedona. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or open the map.

A week through the red-rock heart of the Southwest, and a lesson in scale. The Grand Canyon is one of those places no photograph prepares you for — we took it in from the rim and then from a helicopter, which somehow only made it feel bigger.

From there the wonders kept coming: the perfect U-turn of Horseshoe Bend, the blue maze of Lake Powell, and the glowing, sculpted walls of Antelope Canyon, where the light falls in solid shafts. We finished among the red buttes of Sedona. Big country, in every direction you looked.

This trip ran 6 days, July 21–26, 2019. Along the way we spent time at Antelope Canyon, The canyon from above, Desert View & the road east, The Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell, and Sedona. The gallery below tells it day by day, in 191 photographs.

Planning your own trip? Read Grand Canyon with kids: our itinerary & tips →

Day 1

Sun 21 Jul

Sedona · The Grand Canyon

Sedona
SedonaBell Rock and the buttes, all impossible reds against a hard blue sky.
Sedona
SedonaBell Rock and the buttes, all impossible reds against a hard blue sky.
Sedona
SedonaBell Rock and the buttes, all impossible reds against a hard blue sky.
Sedona
SedonaThe drive into Sedona, with the rocks getting redder by the mile.
Sedona
SedonaSedona's red rocks glowing the way only Arizona sandstone can.
Sedona
SedonaRed-rock country, where every formation looks like it was placed for effect.
Sedona
SedonaBell Rock and the buttes, all impossible reds against a hard blue sky.
Sedona
SedonaThe drive into Sedona, with the rocks getting redder by the mile.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLayer upon layer of rock, two billion years stacked up and laid bare.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLight moving across the canyon, every minute a slightly different view.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLayer upon layer of rock, two billion years stacked up and laid bare.

Day 2

Mon 22 Jul

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLight moving across the canyon, every minute a slightly different view.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonThe South Rim at its most overwhelming, ridgeline behind ridgeline behind haze.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonThe Grand Canyon doing the thing photos never quite capture: the sheer, dizzying scale.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonA mile down and ten miles across - the canyon goes on until your eyes give up.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonThe South Rim at its most overwhelming, ridgeline behind ridgeline behind haze.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLight moving across the canyon, every minute a slightly different view.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonThe South Rim at its most overwhelming, ridgeline behind ridgeline behind haze.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonThe South Rim at its most overwhelming, ridgeline behind ridgeline behind haze.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonA mile down and ten miles across - the canyon goes on until your eyes give up.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLayer upon layer of rock, two billion years stacked up and laid bare.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonThe South Rim at its most overwhelming, ridgeline behind ridgeline behind haze.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLayer upon layer of rock, two billion years stacked up and laid bare.

Day 3

Tue 23 Jul

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonStanding at the rim, trying and failing to take it all in.

Day 4

Wed 24 Jul

The Grand Canyon · The canyon from above · Desert View & the road east · Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell

The Grand Canyon
The Grand CanyonLayer upon layer of rock, two billion years stacked up and laid bare.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe canyon unspooling below, side canyons branching off in every direction.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFrom the air the scale finally lands: this is a wound in the earth you can see from space.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveFlying over the rim and watching the floor drop away into the Colorado.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveGreen forest, red rock, and the river a thin ribbon at the very bottom.
The canyon from above
The canyon from aboveThe Grand Canyon from a helicopter - somehow even bigger from up here.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe long road east, the canyon on one side and open desert on the other.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe Desert View Watchtower standing guard over the eastern canyon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe long road east, the canyon on one side and open desert on the other.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe Desert View Watchtower standing guard over the eastern canyon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe Desert View Watchtower standing guard over the eastern canyon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe Desert View Watchtower standing guard over the eastern canyon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe long road east, the canyon on one side and open desert on the other.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe Desert View Watchtower standing guard over the eastern canyon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe long road east, the canyon on one side and open desert on the other.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe Desert View Watchtower standing guard over the eastern canyon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastEmpty Arizona highway running straight at the horizon.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastThe long road east, the canyon on one side and open desert on the other.
Desert View & the road east
Desert View & the road eastMary Colter's watchtower, part lookout, part work of art.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellThe river doing its famous U-turn, blue-green against the red sandstone.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellLake Powell spreading out among the canyons, impossibly blue.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellHorseshoe Bend, the Colorado wrapping a perfect loop around the rock a thousand feet below.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellHorseshoe Bend, the Colorado wrapping a perfect loop around the rock a thousand feet below.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellThe river doing its famous U-turn, blue-green against the red sandstone.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellGlen Canyon and its great dam, holding back a desert sea.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellGlen Canyon and its great dam, holding back a desert sea.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellHorseshoe Bend, the Colorado wrapping a perfect loop around the rock a thousand feet below.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellGlen Canyon and its great dam, holding back a desert sea.

Day 5

Thu 25 Jul

Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell · Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellGlen Canyon and its great dam, holding back a desert sea.
Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend & Lake PowellThe river doing its famous U-turn, blue-green against the red sandstone.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonSandstone waves frozen mid-motion, lit from somewhere far above.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonSandstone waves frozen mid-motion, lit from somewhere far above.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonSandstone waves frozen mid-motion, lit from somewhere far above.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.

Day 6

Fri 26 Jul

Antelope Canyon · The high desert

Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonSandstone waves frozen mid-motion, lit from somewhere far above.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonSandstone waves frozen mid-motion, lit from somewhere far above.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonSandstone waves frozen mid-motion, lit from somewhere far above.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonDeep in the slot canyon, where the rock glows and the sky is a thin bright crack.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonThe slot canyon twisting overhead, every curve catching the light differently.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonSandstone waves frozen mid-motion, lit from somewhere far above.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonCarved walls glowing orange and purple, smooth as if poured.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonA shaft of light dropping into the slot canyon - the reason everyone comes.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope CanyonAntelope Canyon, where the sandstone flows like water and the light pours in.
The high desert
The high desertThe high desert under a building monsoon sky.
The high desert
The high desertStorm light over the Arizona flats, all drama and distance.
The high desert
The high desertOpen country, big weather, and not much else for miles.
The high desert
The high desertStorm light over the Arizona flats, all drama and distance.
The high desert
The high desertOpen country, big weather, and not much else for miles.

Where we wandered