My stop was too brief but I was “burning daylight” and had to hit the road. I backtracked to Jacob Lake Junction and took a right, heading east until I stopped at the House Rock Valley Overlook.

A pullout provides an excellent view of House Rock Valley and a portion of the Vermilion Cliffs in the distance.

Ancient Pathways Stop - This is either an unusual or half-completed road stop. A circular gravel/dirt road surrounds a wide concrete walkway/road laid in a cross pattern. The interpretative signs commemorate the Indians, explorers, and pioneers that traveled this route.

The views of the sedimentary beds are spectacular as Highway 89A curves along the base of the Vermilion Cliffs. I encountered an area where large boulders had rolls off the cliff.
The interpretive sign says that pueblo Indians constructed dwellings under and next to these boulders. Later a traveler built a stone structure and operated the site as a tourist stop. Some of these balanced boulders look like they were intentionally whittled away to form the small pedestal. It could be due to natural erosion but the something does not seem real. Regardless, the scenery alone makes it a good spot to stop and take a picture.

Further along Highway 89A passes onto Navajo Nation land at Navajo Bridge, which spans Marble Canyon and the Colorado River, 500 feet below the bridge. The Navaho Bridge ended the use of Lee's Ferry to the north as a river crossing. The new, wider bridge parallels the older bridge that has been converted to a pedestrian bridge. The Navaho Bridge Interpretative Center is located on the west side of the bridge and Navaho trading stalls are located on the eastern side of the bridge. I missed a great photo opportunity when I decided not to stop at the Navaho Bridge.

East of the Navaho Bridge the highway heads toward a massive cliff, with scalloped erosional gouges, extending for miles across the horizon. Approaching the cliff, I wondered how the road was going to cross this barrier. The highway slowly turns to the right and parallels the cliff and then at an intersection, the highway makes a sharp left and climbs steeply up a road cut through and across the cliff face. The top of the cliff is the Antelope Pass Scenic Overlook -- for a panoramic view of the Marble Platform, Vermilion Cliffs and Kaibab Plateau.

Page, Arizona – The town of Page is the staging area for tours of the famous Antelope Slot Canyon. I passed through town about 3:00 pm and saw several vehicles transporting people back from the slot canyon. I temporarily lost direction and almost took the wrong road to the Glenn Canyon Recreation Area. I had to pull over and make a U-turn.

3. Navaho National Monument, Arizona

Many of the National Park Service sites have signs stating that they broadcast information on a radio channel. Navaho NM was one of the few parks broadcasting during my trip (Chaco Culture and Big Bend were the other parks). On the way into the park I was pleased to hear that camping was free for up to 7 days. I also learned that to participate in the ranger lead hike to the cliff dwelling I have to make a reservation and attend a mandatory orientation meeting in the morning. During the off-season, the tour only occurs once a month. I already knew from reading the National Park Service website that the 5-mile round trip hike was not practical as it would basically eat up a whole day.

Pipe Spring and Grand Canyon are on Pacific Time (or they do not observe daylight saving time) but Navaho NM is one hour ahead. Although I arrived exactly at 4:00 p.m. Pacific time, the Visitor Center was locked up. I found a great spot in the campground and went to bed early. It was long day. I only slept 1.5 hours in the previous 40 hours. The campground was almost empty and I found good spot.

Navaho National Monument -- I woke up early and drove to the Visitor Center. It was 7:30 a.m. and place would not open until 8:00. Since I had some time, I followed the paved 1-mile round trip trail (Sandal Trail) that leads to an observation point for a view across a canyon at Betatakin/Talastima cliff dwelling.

The cliff dwelling is in the large alcove.

There is not much to do here if you don’t take the ranger-lead hike to the main cliff dwelling. The round trip hike takes about 5 hours and there is a campground to stay overnight and make it a two-day trip. Either way, the hike to the cliff dwelling requires a reservation and attending a mandatory orientation meeting. The cliff dwelling is reportedly the best-preserved ruin in the southwest so it would be an interesting place to visit if you have the time.